Video: Unusual pick-and-lateral led to a big Alouettes’ touchdown, but not by a big man

Turnovers that lead directly to scoring plays are unusual enough, such as Edmonton Eskimos' cornerback Patrick Watkins' forced fumble, return and touchdown Friday night, but what's even more amazing is when the defence makes a pass of its own off a turnover. That's what happened in the Montreal Alouettes' 24-9 win over B.C.Friday afternoon though, with Montreal defensive tackle Scott Paxson picking off Kevin Glenn, then lateralling to linebacker Chip Cox for an Alouettes' touchdown:

That's impressive awareness from Paxson, as most players' first reaction after an interception is just to run as far as they can. Paxson saw defenders closing on him, though, and noticed the smaller and faster Cox was open, which led to an easy Montreal touchdown. A lateral like this does carry some risks, as if Cox had missed or dropped it, B.C. might have recovered themselves, but with the amount of space he had, that wasn't a particularly bad chance to take. Cox is well-known for his good hands, too; he's had 20 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries over his career, and has produced six touchdowns from those opportunities. He's speedy as well, and actually competed in track as well as football at Ohio University.

Paxson isn't all that big for a defensive tackle (the former Penn State Nittany Lion, Pittsburgh Steeler, Green Bay Packer and Cleveland Brown is listed as just 292 pounds), but he's substantially bigger than the 5'9'', 185-pound Cox, and nowhere near as fleet. Paxson's heads-up thinking may have deprived viewers of the potential for a #FATGUYTOUCHDOWN, but it resulted in a much more sure touchdown, and a play that was perhaps even more impressive. Well done.