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The staff gained twice final season with Evans changing an injured Cody Fajardo, and so they imagine they’ll do it once more.
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The earlier time the Alouettes misplaced a soccer sport, they accomplished their season with an eight-match profitable streak, together with the playoffs and Gray Cup.
After all, that was with a wholesome Cody Fajardo, Montreal’s beginning quarterback.
Following 5 consecutive victories this season, the Als misplaced for the primary time since final Sept. 15, drubbed 37-18 by Toronto on July 11, whereas shedding Fajardo on the finish of the primary quarter with a hamstring damage.
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Since returning to observe final Sunday following a bye week within the schedule, Fajardo hasn’t practised and gained’t play Thursday night time, when the Als host the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Molson Stadium.
The extent of Fajardo’s damage nonetheless hasn’t been disclosed. Nor has administration positioned him on both the one- or six-game injured lists though he’s anticipated to overlook a number of video games — maybe the following 5. James Morgan, the staff’s fourth-string quarterback, was added from the observe to energetic roster final Friday.
Whereas it’s extremely unlikely the Als will seize lightning in a bottle and go on one other eight-game profitable streak — particularly with out Fajardo — head coach Jason Maas vowed his staff will study from its most-recent setback.
“The final time we misplaced a sport we discovered so much from it,” he stated. “I don’t anticipate it to be any totally different this time. Our guys can play higher; I do know that. We will put together them higher; I do know that. I don’t wish to make excuses. That distracts from the season. It distracts from what we’re. Generally this outcome occurs. You need to study from it. That’s what we’ll do.
Highway to the Cup
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“We’ll study from this, that’s what we do. We study and we get higher. Generally you could have a setback. It propels you a few steps ahead. That’s what we’ll look to have occur. Now we have to study from it. If we try this, we’ll be a greater staff due to it.”
Fajardo’s absence will thrust Caleb Evans into the beginning position, since Maas once more seems reluctant to supply Davis Alexander with a possibility.
Evans struggled in opposition to the Argos. He accomplished 12 of twenty-two passes for 127 yards. Whereas he threw for 2 touchdowns, Evans additionally was intercepted twice. One, by Wynton McManis, was returned 9 yards for a landing halfway via the second quarter, offering the guests with a 10-2 lead.
In Evans’s defence, the Als have been taking part in their second sport in 5 days, practised solely as soon as and Evans had restricted scout staff reps. Evans remained in Montreal throughout the bye week, understanding he would get the beginning in opposition to Saskatchewan.
Evans, 26, began two August video games final season whereas Fajardo was injured. He accomplished eight of 13 passes for 149 yards together with a landing and interception in a 41-12 victory in opposition to the Riders. One week later, at Ottawa, he led the Als to a comeback 25-24 win, finishing 24 of 36 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns. Evans additionally was intercepted twice.
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“I belief the fellows we now have behind (Fajardo) to go in there and do the job,” Maas stated. “We gained two video games with out him final 12 months and that would be the plan this 12 months if we now have to play with out him.
“Evans did some great things (in opposition to Toronto) and a few stuff you need him to study from. Not getting any reps, having to go in there and play nearly all of the sport, my hat’s off to him. That’s not straightforward.”
For the primary time this season, the Als have been completely outclassed and crushed in all three phases by the Argos.
Defensively, they couldn’t cease the run. Toronto tailback Ka’Deem Carey gained 94 yards on 16 carries, whereas quarterback Cameron Dukes, a greater runner than passer this early in his profession, gained 46 yards on 9 carries. The Argos gained 183 yards speeding.
The Als additionally struggled on particular groups, permitting a 103-yard kickoff return by Janarion Grant simply earlier than halftime after a Tyson Philpot landing diminished Toronto’s result in 17-15. Grant returned two kickoffs for 145 yards and 5 punts for 97 yards. Deonta McMahon returned a kickoff 44 yards.
Montreal additionally should forge forward with out Canadian receiver Kaion Julien-Grant. He was a late scratch in opposition to Toronto with a shoulder damage. The Als this week signed non-import receiver Nate Behar, a six-year CFL veteran who has performed for Ottawa and Edmonton.
Security Marc-Antoine Dequoy, who suffered a shoulder damage in opposition to the Argos, has returned to observe this week and is anticipated to start out.
hzurkowsky@postmedia.com
twitter.com/HerbZurkowsky1
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