MontrealAlouettes.com
MONTREAL – With an impressive 3-0 start to the season, the Montreal Alouettes (6-4) propelled themselves out of the gate and into first place in the East Division. After dropping two pairs of consecutive games however, the Alouettes now find themselves in second place, trailing Buck Pierce and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7-3) by one game.
And so, following a stellar performance from the Alouettes last weekend and with the Blue Bombers currently on a two-game skid, the reign for supremacy in the East is back for the taking as the two teams meet today at Percival Molson Stadium.
The Alouettes’ defense may get a huge boost should Shea Emry return to the lineup. “We want to be careful with Shea and slowly get him back in the groove of things,” said head coach Marc Trestman, who does not want to risk having his star linebacker return prematurely.
The Alouettes’ defense was ferocious last weekend and will need another strong outing to contain Winnipeg’s elite running back, Fred Reid, who is third in the CFL in rushing yards with 631. Reid has yet to rush for over 100 yards this season and the Alouettes will be looking to keep that streak going this Sunday.
As for Montreal’s offense, quarterback Anthony Calvillo, receiver Jamel Richardson and running back Brandon Whitaker are all league leaders within their respective disciplines. Moreover, all three players have been named the CFL’s Offensive Player of the Week at least once this season with Calvillo leading the charge with three honours.
Richardson has been virtually unstoppable in the past four weeks, racking up 5 touchdowns to go along with his impressive 558 yards. He is the only receiver this season to reach 1,000 receiving yards and is a big reason why the Alouettes rank number one in passing yards with 3,290.
Kerry Watkins one catch away from 500 career receptions with Als
Alouettes star receiver Kerry Watkins, who missed the early part of the season due to sinus problems, is currently tied with Red O’Quinn for second place in Alouettes history with 499 career receptions. Watkins, who scored his first touchdown of the season last weekend, is projected to surpass 500 receptions in an Alouettes’ uniform this Sunday versus the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and take sole possession of second place in the team’s history.
Perry Floyd to face his former team
Import returner Perry Floyd will face his former team for the first time today. Floyd has been solid this season in replacing the injured Tim Maypray and has gained 158 yards on eight kickoff returns and 97 yards on ten punt returns.
With first place on the line, the Alouettes will host the division-leading Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Percival-Molson Stadium today at 1:00 p.m. (RDS HD, TSN HD, 98,5 fm, CJAD and Sirius 157).
Tickets for the game are available at the Percival Molson Stadium ticket office, located near the stadium’s main entrance along Parc Avenue, starting at 11 a.m.
