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However an Ottawa loss earlier than kickoff is moot. “We go to win every week and put together to win,” Montreal head coach Jason Maas says. “I could not care much less.”
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The Alouettes have waited greater than a decade to complete first within the East Division — and may not must win a recreation to perform the feat.
Montreal will clinch high spot within the division, and a gap spherical playoff bye, with a victory in opposition to the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday evening at BMO Area (7 p.m., TSN1, TSN5, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM). However ought to Ottawa lose at Saskatchewan on Saturday afternoon, the Alouettes’ recreation will change into a formality.
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The Redblacks path Montreal by six factors, have already misplaced the season sequence, and wouldn’t have the ability to catch the Als within the standings. Montreal final completed first in 2012.
None of this issues to go coach Jason Maas.
“We go to win every week and put together to win,” Maas mentioned. “I couldn’t care much less. Will we all know (the results of the Redblacks’ recreation)? Completely. However it’s not going to have an effect on our mindset and we’ve already talked in regards to the consciousness issue.
“We advised our group you possibly can go onto that area figuring out you’re in first place. Is that going to have an effect on anyone’s mindset? No. That was the reply. We’re going out to win every week.”
Whereas the Alouettes (11-2-1) have already got matched their 2023 win whole and secured a house playoff recreation, the group is just not with out its points — nearly all of which encompass the offence and the play of beginning quarterback Cody Fajardo.
“Are there issues we have to get higher at? Completely,” Maas admitted. “Proper now, we’re not taking part in on the capacity we will play. There have been alternatives for us. We haven’t met these alternatives. That’s what has prompted the dip in manufacturing. On the similar time, we’re not panicking, both.”
Highway to the Cup
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The Alouettes had a 5-0 file when Fajardo sustained a hamstring harm on the finish of the primary quarter on July 11 in opposition to Toronto. He missed 4 video games earlier than returning Aug. 25 in opposition to Edmonton. Montreal has gone 2-1-1 since. Fajardo has averaged 250 yards passing upon his return, with a modest three touchdowns. He has been intercepted twice, however hasn’t turned the ball over his final two video games.
Maas admitted Fajardo was taking part in higher earlier than he was injured, however emphasised he hasn’t misplaced confidence within the 32-year-old, named the Gray Cup’s most useful participant final season.
Fajardo admitted he has struggled regaining his rhythm since returning 4 video games in the past.
“I couldn’t care much less about stats,” he mentioned. “I don’t care if I throw for 140, so long as we win the sport. On this constructing and room all I care about is making an attempt to clinch a house recreation, a bye week after which get us again to the Gray Cup.
“Of all of the positions, quarterback is affected probably the most by an harm. You will have relationships together with your receivers and familiarity with the offence. You lose the sensation of strain, getting hit and throwing. You may rep all you need in observe, however you’re not getting hit. Then, unexpectedly, the primary time you get hit is in a recreation. It’s not an excuse.”
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Fajardo sustained an upper-body harm — probably to his ribs — in opposition to Ottawa within the first half final Saturday, however remained within the recreation and practised absolutely this week. Whereas he refused to reveal the harm to The Gazette, he denied taking part in made his situation worse. Fajardo spoke to the group physician throughout halftime, when his standing was reassessed, and mentioned he was comfy with the prognosis.
“The excellent news is now we have a while and, hopefully, we’ll determine it out (offensively) because the weeks progress,” Fajardo mentioned. “The factor I’m most happy with is zero turnovers. That’s what retains us in ball video games. We have now an awesome defence and particular groups. We have now to guard the ball and rating touchdowns after we get the chance.”
Security Marc-Antoine Dequoy returns after lacking two video games with a head harm. It additionally seems newly signed cornerback Lorenzo Burns will substitute Nafees Lyon on the boundary, though the latter is dressed. Whereas defensive-linemen Mustafa Johnson and Lwal Uguak each have been restricted Thursday due to accidents, each are on the energetic roster. Roster adjustments might be made as much as half-hour earlier than the opening kickoff.
Word: Fajardo will return residence subsequent week, when the Alouettes have a bye within the schedule, for the beginning of his second son. He’ll even be inducted into the Nevada Sports activities Corridor of Fame.
hzurkowsky@postmedia.com
x.com/HerbZurkowsky1
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