No Fajardo, no drawback for Alouettes as they win their third straight

Article content material

Cody Fajardo’s job because the Alouettes’ beginning quarterback isn’t in jeopardy and by no means will likely be, so long as he stays wholesome.

However in a season the place issues are starting to fall in Montreal’s favour, this staff proved it might win a recreation with out Fajardo. Few skilled soccer groups triumph with their backup quarterback, except it’s Winnipeg or B.C.

Article content material

However after Friday night time’s pre-game warm-up, head coach Jason Maas deemed Fajardo unfit to play as a result of an damage to his left shoulder. The Als then went out and eviscerated the Saskatchewan Roughriders, 41-12, at Molson Stadium. It was a season-high factors whole for Montreal, which received a 3rd consecutive recreation, enhancing to 5-3.

Article content material

Let’s be brutally trustworthy: the Als didn’t win due to backup QB Caleb Evans, who began 13 video games over two seasons with Ottawa earlier than signing with Montreal as a free agent final winter. Evans tried solely 13 passes, finishing eight, for 149 yards with a landing and was intercepted as soon as. Take away a 68-yard cross to Walter Fletcher and a 56-yard landing to Austin Mack, and Evans would have produced solely 25 yards passing.

His passing movement is, let’s consider, uncommon, with lots of his balls seeming to drift. However Ricky Ray had an analogous model with Edmonton and Toronto — and he was a four-time Gray Cup champion.

“I’ll let you know what, he (Evans) has the power to place contact on a ball,” Maas mentioned. “He can fireplace it in there when he must. He has good anticipation. He simply wants expertise to let everyone see the whole lot about what he does. I’ll let you know this, he was ready and prepared for what we had been asking him to do. He’s solely going to get higher.

“I noticed numerous actually good issues about him. I do know he’s mentally powerful, I do know he’s correct and I do know he’s good. These are the three issues I care about as a quarterback. I feel he proved tonight he’s greater than able to successful video games for us.”

Article content material

Article content material

With Evans behind centre, we noticed the kind of Als staff we envisioned popping out of coaching camp — one which was going to ascertain the run. Evans managed the sport in addition to might be anticipated, and the offensive recreation plan actually didn’t revolve round him. Using the run-pass possibility primarily, Evans proved to be an additional tailback, in impact.

He gained 66 yards on 11 carries, whereas scoring two short-yardage touchdowns — one on the Als’ opening possession, eradicating any jitters he might need possessed.

Montreal took benefit of a Riders staff that performed at house final Sunday, flew to Montreal on Thursday, and ran the ball down the guests’ throats. Fletcher, changing the injured William Stanback, gained 73 yards on 15 carries, proving but once more he’s proficient sufficient to start out for many CFL groups. Canadian tailback Jeshrun Antwi contributed as effectively, with 47 yards on seven carries, together with a 19-yard landing.

The Als gained 186 yards dashing, and 328 yards’ offence in whole, regardless of a modest 17 first downs and solely 47 offensive performs.

“You at all times attempt to put together your self as if you’re the starter,” Evans mentioned. “Within the CFL, something can occur. A man can go down and also you’ve bought to be ready. Keep locked in and prepared. You by no means know when your time’s proper. I simply did that and the staff rallied round me.

Article content material

“It was only a good staff win total. We began off on the fitting foot and had the mindset to step on the gasoline and don’t step off the pedal. And simply hold going.”

Defensively, the Als produced one other strong staff effort. Profiting from a staff already lacking beginning quarterback Trevor Harris, backup Mason High-quality didn’t return after struggling an damage to his proper hamstring within the second quarter. Montreal’s defence licked its chops and feasted on third-string pivot Jake Dolegala.

Whereas he accomplished 11 of 20 passes, Dolegala solely generated 107 yards passing. He was intercepted as soon as by cornerback Kabion Ento. Dolegala additionally fumbled after being sacked by Avery Ellis. Linebacker Tyrice Beverette recovered, returning the ball 25 yards for a landing early within the fourth quarter, lengthy after the result had been determined.

Montreal’s defence additionally got here near a fourth recreation this season with out permitting an offensive landing. The Riders didn’t rating till 9:14 of the fourth quarter following Dolegala’s one-yard run. Even at that, tailback Jamal Morrow was stopped by Beverette on third down, just for Saskatchewan to obtain a reprieve following two Als penalties on the play.

Article content material

Together with the defensive heroics produced by Beverette, who had a team-high eight tackles, and Ellis, veteran rush-end Shawn Lemon had a quarterback sack. Halfback Reggie Stubblefield — launched after coaching camp in favour of J.R. Reed, solely to be finally recalled just lately — knocked down 4 passes.

“I simply convey management,” Lemon mentioned. “It already was an excellent defence earlier than I bought right here. I really feel (defensive co-ordinator Noel) Thorpe doesn’t get sufficient credit score for the sport plans he places collectively for us. We simply come out and execute. We’ve bought the simple job.”

The Als will attain the midway mark of their season one week from Saturday, at Ottawa, hoping for a fourth straight win.

[email protected]

twitter.com/HerbZurkowsky1

Article content material