Unbeaten Alouettes look to build on momentum against formidable Blue Bombers

MONTREAL — The undefeated Montreal Alouettes will possibly look to employ a next-man-up mentality Saturday.

With offensive lineman Pier-Olivier Lestage (back) and rookie receiver Keshunn Abram (knee) both having not practised leading up to Montreal's meeting with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the team's starting lineup could see some changes.

However, Alouettes head coach Jason Maas views it as an opportunity for new players to slot in and make a difference.

“We've said before, it takes everyone in the locker room, everyone in our organization every week, and the guys that are here, are here for a reason,” Maas said. “We’ve got 45 guys that can go out on that field and represent the Montreal Alouettes.”

With wide receiver Greg Ellingson still out indefinitely with knee and hip injuries, it will be up to players such as rookie receiver Austin Mack to build on the offensive momentum the team has gathered since the start of the season.

In his first two CFL appearances, the 26 year-old Ohio State alum has impressed. He led the team in receiving in Week 1 and finished last week’s game with five catches, 81 yards and two receiving touchdowns.

Headed into Week 4's contest, Mack said he feels prepared to go in and execute.

“We did the work that we needed to do this week to get ready,” Mack said. “It’s a big week. We started off really strong, 2-0, and we’re trying to keep that going.”

Starting quarterback Cody Fajardo, who is coming off a stellar performance against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (19-of-25 passing for 292 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions), said that he’s confident in the play he’s seen from the receivers so far this season.

“They’re hard workers — a bunch of guys that just go to work,” Fajardo said. “When you have a receiving core like that, you have opportunities to have big games.”

A big game is exactly what the Alouettes will need this weekend taking on the Blue Bombers.

Winnipeg (2-1) set a franchise record with 15 regular-season wins last season before falling short of a third consecutive Grey Cup title with a 24-23 loss to Toronto in the championship game in Regina.

Coming off a brutal 30-6 loss to the BC Lions in Week 3, the Bombers enter Saturday's game looking to get back to business.

“They just need to go play … that’s it,” Winnipeg head coach Mike O’Shea told media after practice earlier in the week. “There’s no magic to it.

"They just need to go out and be physical and play. They’re a good group and that doesn’t change from one game.”

Maas said he feels confident that his team has what it takes to compete with the Bombers this weekend.

“(They’re a) great football team,” Maas said. “They have been a great organization for a number of years and I have a lot of respect for their team.

"(But) no matter who lines up against us, I feel confident that we can go out there and beat them and that's what we plan on doing.”

Despite the injuries and changes to the starting lineup, Fajardo said his team is looking forward to the opportunity to take on one of the league’s powerhouses at home.

“Our opponent is a very veteran group who have played a lot of CFL games together and who have been in a lot of big games together,” Fajardo said. “We're definitely going to have to bring our A-game and figure it out, and it's not all going to go great.

"Just like any game, there's going to be good, bad and ugly, but I think the guys are excited about the opportunity.”

NOTES — Saturday’s matchup against the Blue Bombers is the Alouettes' first Canada Day game since 2012 and their first on home turf. To mark the occasion, Montreal will debut its new red alternate jerseys in addition to hosting the Grey Cup as part of the 20th edition of Purolator’s Tackle Hunger initiative.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 30, 2023.