One play arguably modified the 2023 East Division last between the Alouettes and Toronto.
Nevertheless it was one other play, forgotten with the passage of time, that may have cemented the Als’ legacy as a group of future.
The Argonauts had been driving on their opening possession and appeared primed to take an early lead. However quarterback Chad Kelly threw the ball on to Montreal security Marc-Antoine Dequoy, who
returned it 101 yards for a landing
barely greater than three minutes into the sport.
“It modified all the pieces. An enormous play early within the recreation for me,” Dequoy stated Thursday. “They drove the sector and I made the interception. However then we return on defence. Folks don’t bear in mind, however they drove the sector once more and we stopped them on third down. Again-to-back for me made the massive distinction that early within the recreation. It set the tone.
“After that, Kelly couldn’t see nothing else.”
The Als upset Toronto 38-17 that day regardless of having misplaced to the Argos thrice that season. Toronto dedicated 9 turnovers, together with 4 interceptions from Kelly. He additionally was stopped twice on short-yardage conditions and fumbled as soon as. Montreal went on to defeat Winnipeg within the Gray Cup the following week.
Two years later, the opponent and quarterback have modified. Montreal meets the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Saturday within the East Division last at Hamilton Stadium
(3 p.m., CTV, TSN1, TSN2, TSN3, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM)
and the house group can be led by veteran pivot Bo Levi Mitchell, the division nominee as most excellent participant. Mitchell, 35, handed for a league-high 5,296 yards and 36 touchdowns.
Whereas the Ticats defeated Montreal twice this season, Als quarterback Davis Alexander (hamstring) missed each.
Alexander is undefeated in 12 profession begins
, together with 8-0 this season.
Whereas Dequoy referred to Alexander because the CFL’s finest participant, he additionally believes this recreation might be determined by turnovers.
“If you happen to can shield the ball and play the best way we’ve been enjoying, what we’ve been seeing on the sector, that would be the key to success,” Dequoy stated. “We’re getting extra respect this 12 months (than in 2023). Folks thought we got here via the again door that 12 months. With out Davis Alexander, no one gave us credit score. With him, we have already got that credit score. We’re nonetheless the underdog, however lower than in 2023. The remaining is type of the identical.
“Hamilton’s a very good group,” he added. “The receiving corps is among the finest within the league, with a quarterback who threw for over 5,000 yards. They’re offensive group and we now have to respect them for that. They’re going to make some performs. It’s going to be a problem. It’s not going to be straightforward, however we’re prepared for that struggle.”
The Als (10-8) have gained six of their final seven video games, together with a 42-33 victory at house in opposition to Winnipeg within the division semifinal. Whereas the Ticats went 11-7, they’d a bye final weekend and haven’t performed since defeating Ottawa on Oct. 24. Hamilton was coming off a bye earlier than defeating the Redblacks.
“We’ve got a bunch of winners on this group, one of the best defence within the league and our particular groups unit is a pressure,” Alexander stated. “I simply need to handle the soccer and lead our guys, and attempt to be the spark plug some guys lean on me for. I don’t need to be Superman. We’ve got a gifted roster. I do know our guys are going to offer us all the pieces they’ve received. They know they’re going to get my finest each single time, it doesn’t matter what the rating is. I’ll be there to steer these guys. However I’m going to lean on them as a lot as they’re going to lean on me.
“That is playoff soccer. That is do or die. Win or go house. I’ve skilled 11 months for an additional alternative like this. Who doesn’t need the sport on the road to go to the Gray Cup? That is what you dream about. That is what you do it for.”
Montreal can be with out injured defensive-tackle Mustafa Johnson (shoulder) for a second consecutive recreation. Receiver Austin Mack (leg) has been listed as a game-time resolution. If he can’t play, Alexander Hollins might come off the follow roster. Travis Theis will again up tailback
Stevie Scott III
as an alternative of Sean Thomas Erlington, whereas defensive-back Dionté Ruffin has been changed by Robert Kennedy III.
hzurkowsky@postmedia.com
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