QB Davis Alexander overcomes early mistakes to lead Alouettes over Ticats

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Making his first profession CFL regular-season begin, on the street no much less, it got here as no nice shock Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander would have hurdles to beat.

And the third-year professional’s mettle was examined with early adversity Friday evening towards the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

On Montreal’s second offensive collection, Alexander fumbled after being hit by nose-tackle DeWayne Hendrix. The ball was recovered by linebacker Trevor Hoyte on the Ticats’ 52.

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Though Alexander accomplished his first 4 passes for a modest 19 yards, his try on the opening play of the second quarter — a cross meant for Cole Spieker into a decent window — by no means ought to have been thrown. The ball was intercepted by defensive-back Kenneth George and returned 18 yards for a landing.

Alexander, solely 25, simply may have crumbled at this level, and on the Alouettes’ subsequent possession, he overthrew an open Tyson Philpot on a deep route.

However the quarterback settled down after that, displaying why administration thinks so extremely of him. The following time Montreal had the ball, Alexander directed the crew on a six-play, 80-yard drive that included passes of 19 yards every to Philpot and Reggie White Jr. However Alexander saved his greatest for final, discovering Charleston Rambo for a 24-yard landing in between protection halfway via the second quarter.

Alexander was removed from good — few quarterbacks ever really are — however was full measure for Montreal’s convincing 33-16 victory earlier than 20,426 spectators at Tim Hortons Area.

He accomplished 19 of 27 passes for 262 yards, connecting with seven completely different receivers. He made issues occur along with his legs, steadily escaping potential tackles, threw the ball with authority and overcame his early challenges.

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Not solely that, however the 6-foot, 200 pounder displayed his toughness, getting back from a vicious helmet-to-helmet deal with within the fourth quarter from Casey Sayles. Alexander ought to have executed a greater job of defending himself, however Sayles, who isn’t thought-about a grimy participant, made no try and hit the quarterback beneath the shoulders. Alexander’s helmet flew off following the hit and it additionally appeared he injured his decrease again on the play.

Sayles was given a 25-yard roughing the passer penalty for spearing, however ought to have instantly been disqualified — certainly one of a number of calls referee André Proulx, his crew and the league’s command centre missed. Sayles undoubtedly will likely be fined for his unlawful gesture.

Extremely, a smiling Alexander returned on the Als’ subsequent collection.

“I’m OK, however that was a big-time shot,” Alexander mentioned throughout a televised post-game interview from Hamilton. “I’ve received to face in there and ship a throw. I really feel like I did. That’s the value of taking part in this place. I’ll be all proper.

“I simply must play my sport. Clearly, the 2 turnovers early, I can’t fumble that. There was a little bit of slippage, however I’ve received to be safer with the ball. I belief our playmakers. We’ve got a number of the greatest playmakers within the league.”

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Alongside along with his landing, Rambo caught 4 passes for 86 yards. Philpot was additionally efficient, catching 5 passes for 82 yards. Tailback Walter Fletcher rushed eight occasions for 56 yards — together with a 26-yard achieve — and scored a late landing on a five-yard off-tackle run after the Ticats crept to inside 11 factors.

“It wasn’t as clear a ball sport as we wished, however we nonetheless put up 33 factors,” Alexander advised journalists in Hamilton. “I’ve received to guard the ball just a little bit higher. I missed a few large performs on the market. It comes with reps, however there’s completely no excuse. I’ll be higher subsequent week.”

The Alouettes and Ticats meet once more subsequent Saturday at Molson Stadium, and it stays to be decided who will likely be Montreal’s beginning quarterback.

Alexander may clearly play if obligatory, whereas the standing of veteran Cody Fajardo is up within the air. Fajardo had been on the six-game injured record (hamstring), solely to be eliminated final week when he returned to apply. He was then positioned on the one-game injured record towards Hamilton, indicating he’s nearing a return, though he may have remained on the six-game injured record and his contract not have counted towards the wage cap.

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Fajardo’s return can be well timed because it seems Caleb Evans will likely be sidelined indefinitely with an harm to his proper knee.

Evans changed Alexander following the Sayles hit, instantly lofting a 39-yard landing cross to fullback David Dallaire at 9:20 of the fourth quarter, giving the Alouettes a 27-8 lead. It was Dallaire’s first CFL landing. Evans additionally scored on a one-yard run within the third quarter, capping a four-play, 70-yard drive.

However Evans left the sport later, simply earlier than the Fletcher rating, after gaining seven yards on a unadorned bootleg. Evans tried to interrupt his run and slide earlier than getting hit, solely to land awkwardly. He wasn’t in a position to put any weight on his proper knee whereas being assisted from the sphere.

Defensively, the Alouettes made life depressing for quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, attacking him from varied angles whereas making him look confused. Mitchell handed for 240 yards, however was intercepted twice. The Ticats didn’t rating an offensive landing till 12:19 of the fourth quarter.

Montreal improved to 7-1, equalling a franchise document with its seventh consecutive street win whereas returning to the location of final season’s Gray Cup victory. The Ticats had been on a modest two-game profitable streak, after beginning the season 0-5, however badly failed this litmus check.

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com

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