The Montreal Alouettes are making some changes ahead of Saturday night’s game at BC Place in Vancouver. Thankfully, the team doesn’t have to play at 10 pm ET, as kick-off is set for 7pm ET/4pm PT. The Als would like this to be the first of two trips to Vancouver in less than a month, as this will be the site of the 111th Grey Cup in November.
Jason Maas’ squad will be facing a difficult challenge, as they’ll be playing their second game in five days while flying across the country to the West Coast. But that’s not an excuse. This team will be looking to win their 13th game of 2024.
The Lions announced earlier this week that they were going to be making a change at quarterback. Nathan Rourke, who was the starter the last time these two teams played in early September, will serve as the backup QB to Vernon Adams Jr.
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Cody Fajardo returns to lineup:
The Als are making a quarterback change of their own, as they’re welcoming back the reigning Grey Cup MVP Cody Fajardo on Saturday night. Fajardo, who missed last week’s game to return home for the birth of his second child, is slated to start against BC. Fajardo didn’t practice this week, but he’ll make the trip from his home in Nevada straight to British Columbia to join the team there.
“He did all of our calls this morning,” Maas said of Fajardo participating in Thursday’s meetings remotely. “He got the game plan late last night (Wednesday) and did everything with us in meetings. It just made more sense for him to stay home. He threw today with some buddies with the whole game plan we’re putting in.
“He’s been able to run and throw, so he’ll be ready.”
Maas also mentioned that Davis Alexander would get some reps during Saturday’s game against the Lions.
Resting some vets:
Because of the CFL salary cap, the Alouettes (and other teams) can’t rest as many players as they’d probably like. In the Als’ case, they’re going to leave some veterans home, but expect to see most of the starters suit up in this game.
On defence, it appears as though every starter will play, according to the depth chart. Players like Marc-Antoine Dequoy, Darnell Sankey, Tyrice Beverette and Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund are all going to start.
But there are players on offence that will get to rest. Running back Walter Fletcher and receiver Austin Mack will both miss this upcoming game. Sean Thomas Erlington and Stevie Scott III will both get an opportunity to carry the ball in Fletcher’s absence.
“Sean hasn’t gotten a ton of carries this year and Stevie’s gotten zero,” Maas said. “If something were to happen to (Fletcher) next week or the week after, we want those guys to at least have some playing time. That’s the aim this week. We want to get them in the lineup and see how it goes.”
Scott III has been on the practice squad since the start of the season. In three seasons at the University of Indiana, the Als rookie scored a ridiculous 30 rushing touchdowns in just 31 games.
Again, according to the depth chart, it will be Thomas Erlington who gets the start. The veteran is in his first season with his hometown team, as he began his career with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Thomas Erlington hasn’t gotten much work on offence this season, but he’s shown flashes of brilliance.
With Mack on the one-game injured list, look for the Alouettes to start Charleston Rambo, Tyler Snead, Cole Spieker, Kaion Julien-Grant and Nate Behar.
“Austin is healthy,” the head coach stated on Thursday. “It’s a short week for us. We’re able to play with other people. We know what Austin is dealing with, and we want to make sure he’s as healthy as he can be for the stretch. Playing him twice in five days isn’t smart for us. He didn’t want to sit but we’re doing what’s best for our football team.”
Season debut for McGloster:
Offensive tackle Jamar McGloster will be making his regular-season debut on Saturday night. McGloster has been out of the lineup due to a back injury since training camp. The 29-year-old became the starter at right tackle down the stretch last season. He started all three of Montreal’s playoff games at that position.
He’ll serve as the backup right tackle to start the game, but he could get