CFL.ca staff
Montreal – The Montreal Alouettes are riding a wave of confidence after breaking two impressive streaks in back-to-back weeks.
No visiting team had ever defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Tim Hortons Field since the stadium opened until the Alouettes walked out victorious last week. The game prior, the Larks topped a Lions team they had not beaten at BC Place since 2000.
Now, both those streaks are snapped and the Alouettes find themselves right back in the thick of the playoff race in the East.
In fact, if the playoffs started today, the Als would be breaking another streak as well. Since the crossover playoff format was introduced in 1996, there have been eight teams from the West to cross over to the East but none going the other way. Montreal would be the first team to accomplish that feat.
As of now though, the team closest to standing in their way remains the Lions. While Mark’s Labour Day Weekend features the most intense rivalries in action, the Als and Leos aren’t short on dislike for one another despite a lack of geographical proximity.
Lions wideout Emmanuel Arceneaux lit a fire after their first meeting by declaring that he doesn’t think Montreal is a very good team. That comment was simply brushed aside by the Alouettes, who prefer to do their talking on the field.
“You don’t have to say nothing out there. We’re on defence, we do not have to say anything. Our actions will prove everything,” said defensive back Dominque Ellis. “After a couple hits, I’m sure he’ll start looking around like ‘hey, these guys aren’t playing.’”
The last time these two clubs met, Tyrell Sutton and Brandon Rutley split reps as the lead back and combined for 151 yards on the ground while Rakeem Cato threw for 154 yards on 16-of-19 passing. Montreal enters Thursday night’s game with Tanner Marsh under centre as Cato is dealing with a family emergency and is not listed on the depth chart.
It’s an opportunity Marsh has been ready for all season.
“I prepare every week like I’m starting so it’ll be nothing new to me. I know the guys have confidence in me, I’ve been working with them for a while now,” said Marsh, who will be the Alouettes’ third starting pivot this year. “They see me working my butt off in the film room and on the field. They all have confidence in me and I’ll be more than confident.”
Should Marsh connect with Nik Lewis for at least 11 yards in the game it will move Lewis past Arland Bruce III and into 10th place all-time on the receiving yards list.
That sort of consistency is something that the Lions have been searching for throughout the season, albeit on a much smaller scale.
BC comes into the rematch off of a bye week that was used for evaluation and welcoming new players into the lineup.
“After every game, win or lose, and especially at a bye after a loss is, everybody re-evaluates what’s going on,” said head coach Jeff Tedford. “What we’re doing schematically, personnel, what can we do differently, what are we doing well, what should we continue to do, all those types of things are just things coaches do each and every week. We just had a little bit more time to do it this week.”
The Lions are very aware of their precarious spot in the standings and point the finger at consistency as being their main culprit thus far.
“We have to be realistic about where we’re at right now and make sure that we turn this thing around,” said Ryan Phillips. “This is the crucial part of the season. For us, there are no more refreshers or bye weeks or anything like that so we need to get this ball rolling right now and make sure we put our best foot forward.”
“We’ve been too inconsistent through the first eight weeks,” said Travis Lulay. “We have a good chance now to sit back, evaluate things, do a self-scout and move forward with what we’ve done best and play a more consistent brand of football in the second half.”
Still, the Lions believe in the group they have even after a number of roster moves sees new faces entering the depth chart.
One of BC’s prized free agent signings was receiver Lavelle Hawkins, who hurt his arm in training camp and was forced out of action. Now healthy, the rookie is ready to make his debut and contribute.
“I’m just excited to be out there with the guys, especially at a time like this and kind of turn some things around. I’m just looking forward to the chance to play with the guys we have here,” said Hawkins.
Montreal head coach Jim Popp is seeking his second win since taking over the reins on the sidelines and echoes the consistency that is needed in finishing games.
“What’s been nice the last two weeks, especially in tough environments, to go in where we hadn’t won in an environment in quite a while and go to a place where no one had won yet, these guys have really stuck together. The game has been close, but they’ve finished the game, and the big thing is finishing. We haven’t done a good job of that here in a number of years, finish, and that’s what we’ve got to continue to do is finish.”
The sun will be with us in Thursday! You don’t have tickets? Get yours now!
Game Notes:
- Boris Bede has made 22 of his first 24 career FG attempts thus far to lead the CFL.
- Nik Lewis is now only 11 receiving yards behind Arland Bruce III (11,625) for #10 all-time.
- At the last game between those 2 teams, the Alouettes dominated the Lions for rushing yards with 251.
- Also, at the last game, the Alouettes have stopped a 10-game losing streak against the Lions at BC Place.
Tailgate
The party starts at 5pm! On site, there will be barbecues provided for free by the organization, picnic tables, a DJ and inflatables games! New this year: food trucks and the possibility to organize your own private tailgate! Don’t miss the L’Assomoir and Alexis le Gourmand food trucks. To reserve your private tailgate, click here!
Do not forget to bring beer cans because beer bottles aren’t permitted.
