Alouettes QB Caleb Evans will get second consecutive begin, faces former teammates

An injured Cody Fajardo didn’t get the chance to face his former workforce final Friday, when the Alouettes defeated Saskatchewan.

However as luck would have it, Fajardo stays sidelined with an damage to his left shoulder. And meaning Caleb Evans will face his former workforce, Ottawa, Saturday evening at TD Place (7 p.m., TSN1, TSN5, RDS, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM). Evans spent two seasons with the Redblacks earlier than signing with Montreal for 2 seasons as a free agent.

If Evans is in search of to extract revenge and manages the sport correctly, the Als will win a fourth consecutive recreation. The Redblacks are on a three-game dropping skid.

“It’ll be emotional for certain, however I feel I’ll deal with it like some other week, attempting to (win),” Evans mentioned. “However it’ll undoubtedly be emotional as a result of I used to be there for 2 years. I can’t (deny) that reality, however need to push previous that.

“I feel in my youthful days — I’m fairly younger proper now — it in all probability would have been key to show one thing to them,” added Evans, 25. “However in 12 months 3 it’s extra about being grateful for the alternatives I get to play soccer.”

Whereas the Als scored a season-high 41 factors in opposition to the Roughriders, Evans wasn’t requested to ceaselessly go. He tried solely 13 throws, finishing eight, for 149 yards — most of that whole amassed on two huge performs, to Walter Fletcher and Austin Mack. Evans was simpler as a runner, gaining 66 yards on 11 carries, together with two short-yardage touchdowns.

He’ll by no means be thought to be a prolific passer.

“We simply wish to see enchancment,” Als head coach Jason Maas mentioned of Evans. “The offence is what it’s with him in there. I simply wish to have him play inside himself. Make the suitable reads and throws after they’re there. When he has to (run) make one thing occur. In the end simply make good selections. That’s what an expert quarterback does. Any time you’re on the street that’s paramount.

“There are strengths that (Evans) has. We’ve got to play to his strengths a bit of bit extra. I do know Caleb can do extra. There have been different issues within the recreation plan we didn’t get to. You all the time have a look at what your quarterback can do in comparison with (Fajardo).”

Evans began 13 video games over two seasons with Ottawa, passing for two,580 yards and 9 touchdowns whereas finishing 60.5 per cent of his makes an attempt. He additionally was intercepted 16 occasions. Towards Saskatchewan, one play following a Kabion Ento interception and with the ball on the Riders 26, Evans delivered a horrible ball into the tip zone for Tyler Snead that was pilfered.

“It was an awesome general efficiency, doing what I wanted to do, so far as following the game-plan,” Evans mentioned. “Guys rallied round and us taking part in with one another.”

Tailback William Stanback returns to the energetic roster after sitting out final week with an damage. However that additionally means Fletcher is again on the one-game injured checklist. Defensive-tackle Almondo Sewell additionally returns following a one-game absence. Veteran guard Kristian Matte, who practised sparingly this week, is a game-time resolution. The Als even have activated import offensive-lineman Jamar McGloster, who would rotate with Canadian Jesse Gibbon.

Whereas the Redblacks (3-6) have confirmed they’ll rating factors, their defensive secondary was susceptible in opposition to Toronto final Sunday. Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly handed for 417 yards and 4 touchdowns.

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