The unbeaten (2-0) Saskatchewan Roughriders will tangle with the winless (0-2) Montreal Alouettes in a Thursday night showdown.
It has been a difficult start for the Alouettes after losing a couple of games that came down to the last play. Against Calgary in Week 1, the Alouettes had a chance to win the game on the final play but were denied on a hail mary pass. In Week 2 against Toronto, kicker David Cote missed a 21 yard field goal on the final play of the game that would have given the Alouettes the win.
Montreal will not be taken lightly by the Riders according to running back Jamal Morrow. “Their record doesn’t show what they’re capable of, they really could be the opposite and be 2-0 at the same time. We know who they are as a team, it’s a short week but we will be ready to go.”
The Alouettes will have a change at quarterback on Thursday night as Trevor Harris is set to make his first start of the season. Vernon Adams Jr. started the first two games for Montreal, but will be out of their lineup after testing positive for COVID-19. The Alouettes will also be without wide receiver Jake Wieneke and linebacker Chris Ackie.
Thursday night’s game will be the home opener for the Alouettes after they began on the season on the road for their first two games. One notable Alouette spectator that won’t be in attendance tonight is Gary Stern. The Owner of the Alouettes will not be present after he announced he recently tested positive for COVID-19. Even though he won’t be present at Molson Stadium, Stern is confident the Alouettes will be able to pull a win as he tweeted on Wednesday, “You know I will be raising the roof of my cave, our house, we win.”
Discipline will be an area the Riders must address this week. Despite picking up the victory in Edmonton on Saturday, the green and white were penalized 14 times for 134 yards. Wide Receiver Shaq Evans says it’s an area that the entire team has to improve on. “It’s not going to help us out on the field, arguing with the referees or arguing with other teams, it’s not going to help us win games, so I think each and every week we will get better at that. As a team we need to get together and talk about it, not just the coaches, I think when you’re accountable as a team that definitely helps us.”
It’s a quick turnaround for the Riders this week after earning a victory on Saturday. The green and white will have to head into Montreal with a big change in the middle of their offence as Logan Bandy replaces Dan Clark at centre. Canadian Jamal Campbell will be the backup for the offensive line this week.
Charleston Hughes will also be out of Saskatchewan’s lineup in Week 3.
Duke Williams is expected to return to the lineup after sitting out Saturday’s win. It remains to be seen if Williams will be limited or if he will resume his normal snap count after his one week absence.
Saskatchewan’s pass rush will be looking to continue its early season success in Montreal. The green and white have amassed 13 sacks in the first two games of the season. The four teams in the Eastern Division have combined for nine sacks so far in the 2022 season.
All of Thursday’s action can be heard on 620 CKRM. Countdown to kickoff begins at 2:30. Michael Ball will have the call at 5:30.
