“We don’t ever give up nothing and we just learn,” Maas said. “I think our guys did a very good job of staying steady at halftime, cool-headed, and allowed us to coach. Our guys absorbed the information. We just go out and continue to play. We know it’s a 60-minute game, no matter what the score says at halftime. You have to play for 60 minutes in this league and finish games. We do an incredible job of doing that.”

On a night when the organization honoured members of the 1974 Grey Cup-champion team, it appeared — at least through 30 minutes — it was those 70-plus-year-olds who were on the field at Molson Stadium.

Despite trailing Edmonton 17-6 at halftime, the Als rebounded following intermission and held on for a 21-17 victory over the Edmonton Elks Sunday night before 19,048 spectators. Montreal improved its East Division-leading record to 10-1 and has won 18 of 19 games, including playoffs and the Grey Cup, dating back to last September. And while the Elks (3-8) remain last in the West Division, Edmonton carried a three-game winning streak into the contest.

How bad was Montreal through 30 minutes? The Als were held to seven first downs, 129 yards’ net offence and ran only 23 offensive plays while controlling the ball only for 12:36. Quarterback Cody Fajardo, in his return from a hamstring injury that sidelined him six weeks, passed for 109 yards and was intercepted once. Tailback Walter Fletcher gained 21 yards on six carries while the Als’ leading receiver was Canadian Nate Behar, an unlikely source.

Defensively, the Als weren’t much better, especially their run defence. Their secondary appeared confused by quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who passed for two touchdowns — one to former Alouette Eugene Lewis, playing his first game in Montreal after signing with the Elks last season as a free agent.