Despite a 4:10 record since the start of the season, the Rouge et Noir are not easy prey for the Alouettes, especially since the Montreal club will have to do without the services of pass catcher Austin Mack on Saturday from 4 p.m. in Ottawa.
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The Alouettes placed Mack on the disabled list for one game due to a hamstring injury. In 14 games, the American receiver has already managed 1,057 yards through the air, putting him well ahead of his compatriot Tyler Snead, Montreal’s second-best receiver this season with 583 yards.
Mack could be back in action on Monday, October 9th in Montreal when the Montreal team and the Rouge et Noir face off in a second straight game.
With or without Mack, the Alouettes (7-7) have no intention of taking the Rouge et Noir lightly. For good reason, the Ottawa team is more threatening than its record suggests.
“I’m happy for the guys in the locker room, they always believed in themselves, even when others didn’t believe in them anymore,” commented Rouge et Noir head coach Bob Dyce after last week’s 36-point win in Ottawa, against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. These guys have great determination and it was great to see them rewarded with a win.”
Dustin Crum to watch
Just 24 years old, quarterback Dustin Crum is at the center of the Rouge et Noir’s progress and finds solace in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Against the Roughriders, the American completed 21 of his 26 passes and gained 243 yards in the air. He scored two passing touchdowns and once reached the end zone with a run.
In addition to knowing how to distribute the ball, Crum is also someone to watch on the floor. Running back Devonte Williams remains the Rouge et Noir’s primary weapon at this level, but the quarterback can also run with the ball.
A 100th sack for Shawn Lemon?
The work of the defensive players is likely to be particularly important for the Alouettes. Shawn Lemon could also use Saturday’s game or even Thanksgiving Monday’s to reach the 100 career sack plateau in the CFL.
“It’s a great achievement in a long-term career and we have to take our hats off to anyone who can achieve it,” Alouettes head coach Jason Maas said of the achievement ahead of him. Lemon.
For a spot in the playoffs
On a collective level, the Alouettes in particular have the opportunity to secure qualification for the playoffs by beating the Rouge et Noir.
“Our players are aware that a win could secure us participation in the playoffs, because that is one of the goals,” said Maas. The first step before thinking any further is to qualify for the playoffs.”
- In the first two meetings between the Alouettes and the Rouge et Noir in 2023, Montreal won the season opener on June 10 in Montreal 19-12 and on August 19 in Ottawa 25-24. There was also a touchdown at the end of the game from Caleb Evans needed to achieve this second victory.
- Cody Fajardo will start at quarterback for the Alouettes on Saturday, while Tyson Philpot, Tyler Snead, Cole Spieker and Kaion Julien-Grant are likely to be his favorite targets in Austin Mack’s absence.