Undefeated Montreal Alouettes appear to be building on momentum

MONTREAL –

The undefeated Montreal Alouettes may adopt a next-man-up mentality on Saturday.

With offensive lineman Pier-Olivier Lestage (back) and rookie receiver Keshunn Abram (knee) both of whom had not practiced leading up to Montreal’s meeting with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the team’s starting lineup could see some changes.

However, Alouettes head coach Jason Maas sees it as an opportunity for new players to join in and make a difference.

“We’ve said before that everyone is needed in the locker room, everyone in our organization every week, and the guys who are here are here for a reason,” said Maas. “We have 45 guys who can get on the field and represent the Montreal Alouettes.”

With wide receiver Greg Ellingson still out indefinitely with knee and hip injuries, it will be up to players like rookie receiver Austin Mack to build on the offensive momentum the team has been gathering since the start of the season.

In his first two CFL appearances, the 26-year-old Ohio State alum impressed. He led the team in receiving in Week 1 and finished last week’s game with five catches, 81 yards and two receiving touchdowns.

Heading into the Week 4 game, Mack said he feels prepared to go in and execute.

“We’ve done the work we had to do this week to prepare,” said Mack. “It’s an important week. We started very strong, 2-0, and we’re trying to keep that up.”

Starting quarterback Cody Fajardo, who has a stellar performance against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (19-of-25 passes for 292 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions), said he is confident in the play he’s seen from the receivers , so far this season.

“They’re hard workers — a bunch of guys just going to work,” Fajardo said. “When you have such a receiving core, you have chances to play big games.”

A big game is just what the Alouettes need this weekend to take on the Blue Bombers.

Winnipeg (2-1) set a franchise record last season with 15 regular season wins before missing out on a third consecutive Gray Cup title with a 24-23 loss to Toronto in the championship game at Regina.

After a brutal 30-6 loss to the BC Lions in Week 3, the Bombers enter Saturday’s game to get back to work.

“They just have to go play, that’s all,” Winnipeg head coach Mike O’Shea told the media after practice earlier this week. “There’s no magic to it.

“They just need to go out and be physical and play. They are a good group and that doesn’t change after one game.”

Maas said he is confident his team has what it takes to take on the Bombers this weekend.

“(They’re a) great football team,” said Maas. “They have been a great organization for a number of years and I have a lot of respect for their team.

“(But) no matter who faces us, I’m very confident that we can go out and beat them and that’s what we plan to do.”

Despite the injuries and changes to the starting lineup, Fajardo said his team is looking forward to the chance to take on one of the league’s powerhouses at home.

“Our opponent is a very experienced group who have played many CFL games together and who have played together in many big games,” said Fajardo. “We’ll definitely have to bring our A-game and figure it out, and it’s not going to be all great.

“As with any game, there are good, bad and ugly games, but I think the guys are excited about this opportunity.”

Saturday’s game against the Blue Bombers is the Alouettes’ first Canada Day game since 2012 and their first at home. To mark the occasion, Montreal will debut its new red alternate jerseys alongside the Gray Cup as part of the 20th edition of Purolator’s Tackle Hunger initiative.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on June 30, 2023.