MontrealAlouettes.com
WINNIPEG – When the Alouettes kick off their 2013 campaign Thursday night in Winnipeg, a new CFL season won’t be the only thing they’ll help christen. The Blue Bombers will also be opening the doors to brand-new Investors Group Field for the first time, and with a sellout crowd of 33,422 expected, the Alouettes have no intention of being gracious guests for the second time in a row.
It was almost eight months ago that the Alouettes were also helping close the Bombers’ former home in Canad Inns Stadium, but with that game having entered the history books on a losing note, S.J. Green and company can’t wait to get a second chance to crash the party in Winnipeg.
“It’s always exciting to play in a new stadium. They’re one of our big rivals in the East division,” admitted Green, who’s coming off his second-straight 1,000-plus yards season. “We had four great games against them last year and the series was split at two games apiece. The fans will be jacked up for it. Luckily for us, we’re a veteran group and our team is going to bring it no matter where we play.”
But Thursday’s season opener will be memorable for more reasons than one for Montreal’s Dan Hawkins, who’ll also be making his regular season professional head-coaching debut on the Winnipeg sidelines.
“We have a few more things to button up before we hit the field, but we had a really solid week of preparations,” explained Hawkins, who takes over a Montreal team that finished atop the East Division with an 11-7 record in 2012. “We’re not going to implement the entire playbook in a short amount of time. There are obviously a lot of changes that come with every day and a lot of learning, which is something I think everybody has done, including myself.”
WATCH: COACH HAWKINS HEADING INTO WEEK 1 »
Hawkins joined the Alouettes last February after previously compiling a 112-61-1 record collegiately in the NCAA, including stints with Boise State (2001-05) and Colorado (2006-10). But with a clean sheet professionally, he’ll be looking to earn his first win in the CFL, and he’ll have a solid hand in doing so in pro football’s all-time leading passer, Anthony Calvillo.
“Anthony’s a great player and one of the many leaders on this football team,” continued Hawkins. “Anybody who’s been around this game long enough knows that it’s a quarterback driven league and we need to set up our game plan so our pivot can be successful. His performance means a lot to us in a variety of ways.”
WATCH: AC HEADING INTO WEEK 1 »
Both teams understand the importance of getting off to a fast start not just to the season, but also to the game, as Montreal boasted an impressive 8-1 record in 2012 when leading after the first half.
“That’s how we need to start the game. We’re going to be explosive and set the tone out there,” said Jamel Richardson, who has a knack for finding his way onto highlight reels. “It’s time to get down to business and play at a high level and compete for a championship.”
Here are some facts and figures ahead of Thursday’s game.
LOOK & LISTEN: Tonight’s game will be broadcast live on TSN, RDS, CJAD 800, 98,5 fm, and Sirius 157. Kick off is set for 9:00 p.m. ET.
MIGRATING SOUTH: Fans in the U.S. can also tune in to tonight’s game on NBC Sports Network.
GRAND OPENINGS: In 17 season openers since rejoining the league in 1996, the Alouettes have compiled a 13-4 record.
DOUBLE DEBUT: Head Coach Dan Hawkins won’t be the only one making a CFL debut of sorts Thursday. Blue Bombers Head Coach Tim Burke will be coaching his first CFL season opener, having taken over the reigns in Winnipeg midway in 2012.
TOPPED 50: Kicker Sean Whyte will play in his 50th-career CFL game Thursday night in Winnipeg.
NEW-LOOK D: Defensive players were prominent on the team’s off-season shopping list, including defensive end Ejiro Kuale and cornerbacks Geoff Tisdale and Byron Parker. The team also changed defensive coordinators as Noel Thorpe takes over for Jeff Reinebold and has reverted back to the traditional Alouettes’ 4-3 defence.
A NOSE FOR THE END ZONE: Montreal’s offence showed killer instinct in the red zone last season as the Alouettes scored 39 touchdowns on 61 red zone appearances for a league-best 63.19 percent success rate in 2012.
BACK TO BA-SIX: All six of the Alouettes’ 2012 CFL all-stars — quarterback Anthony Calvillo, centre Luc Brodeur-Jourdain, guard Scott Flory, tackle Josh Bourke, linebacker Shea Emry and recently converted linebacker Kyries Hebert — are back in Alouettes uniforms in 2013.
PICKS ON DECK: Coach Hawkins and General Manager Jim Popp will get their first real look at four of the club’s 2013 CFL draft picks Thursday, as Mike Edem, Montreal-native Steven Lumbala, Nicolas Boulay and Michael Klassen are all expected to be in uniform for the season opener.
