David Côté’s performance went a little under the radar, but the Alouettes’ kicker was able to breathe a sigh of relief after hitting four field goals in as many attempts in the club’s 27-12 win in Montreal over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last weekend the Eastern Division semifinals.
“I’m very happy, I expected a good game,” Côté admitted with a smile after this encounter. There were a few games that I didn’t play at my level. To be 4 out of 4, I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
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The 26-year-old Côté will therefore be full of confidence for the Eastern final against the Argonauts on Saturday in Toronto. And that’s good for the Alouettes, who, despite an impressive defensive unit, can’t afford to leave many points on the table in the next game. The Argos, for their part, are relying on an excellent kicker in Boris Bede, who has made 37 of his 39 field goals this season.
I’m coming back from an injury
Côté suffered a hip injury during the regular season and had some struggles, with an efficiency rate of just 75% or a record 39 finishes on 52 attempts. In the final game of the season, he missed field goals of 45 and 50 yards. This time he was perfect early in the playoffs, hitting two 40-yard field goals.
“It’s unbelievable how much work David has put in lately and that has made the difference,” commented head coach Jason Maas, sharing that Côté traveled to the Percival Molson Stadium in particular to practice his kicks in the same Environment like playing against the Ti-Cats. He’s worked hard to get back on his feet after injury and that’s not always easy. It was fantastic to see him thrive in a game where the pressure was on. He was perfect and that was expected of him, but he worked to get there.”
Support appreciated
Maas always believed in Côté, even when he wasn’t doing well.
“I would never send him on the pitch and think he might miss,” Maas reiterated after Saturday’s game. Every time we put him on a play, I expect him to do the job because he can.
“I have spoken to Jason a lot over the last few weeks and know that he supports me. The same goes for the players and for Byron [Archambault], Côté noted, naming the special teams coach. In moments like the ones I’ve experienced in the last few weeks, when things aren’t going so well, it’s good to be able to count on the support of others. It makes a difference.”
Routine tests
Also on Saturday, shortly before the game, Côté carried out his routine tests with the long-range throw specialist Louis-Philippe Bourassa and with Joseph Zema, who holds the ball. He then tried to estimate the limit for a possible placement depending on the weather conditions of the day.
“With the ball at 45, we knew we could go for a field goal of about 53 yards, maybe even 54 if we applied a little pressure,” Côté informed.
The Quebecer ultimately didn’t have to take such a long punt against the Tiger-Cats, but he was ready. It’s also part of his work in the shadows, the preparation work he’s now repeating for next weekend’s Eastern final in Toronto.