Montreal Alouettes prepare for home opener against Toronto Argonauts
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Alouettes set sights on building a winning atmosphere at Molson Stadium - Montreal Gazette
The Montreal Alouettes are set to open their home season at Molson Stadium against the Toronto Argonauts on Friday. The Alouettes aim to improve their home record after going 4-5 last season, with two of those losses by a single point. Head coach Jason Maas emphasized the importance of making plays and executing correctly at home.
Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander enters the game with an undefeated regular-season record of 12-0, including 2-0 against the Argonauts. Alexander led his team to an overtime victory last Thursday, passing for 336 yards and two touchdowns. Despite a slow start in that game, where the first touchdown wasn’t scored until after 19 minutes, the team secured the win with a 17-yard field goal.
The Alouettes faced significant penalties in their last game, accumulating 10 penalties for 113 yards in the first half. Maas noted that the team was frustrated by this, aiming to lead the league in fewest penalties. Following a halftime discussion, the team played with more discipline, incurring only one five-yard penalty in the second half.
Alouettes deal with injuries while Argonauts welcome back key players
Montreal is currently dealing with several injuries. Starting tailback Stevie Scott III is out with a hamstring injury. Receiver Cole Spieker and centre Justin Lawrence have been placed on the six-game injured list with ankle issues. Linebacker Najee Murray (foot) will also miss at least one game, while fellow linebacker Tyrice Beverette (neck) did not practice this week but is listed on the roster. Tailback Travis Theis, who sustained a head injury, has practiced and is expected to start.
Despite the injuries, Maas expressed confidence in the team’s reserves, stating that the situation provides valuable experience for other players. Marco Dubois will replace Spieker at slot back, Cyrille Hogan-Saindon will step in for Lawrence, and Arthur Hamlin will start for Murray.
The Argonauts will see the return of quarterback Chad Kelly, who will make his first start in 581 days. Kelly’s last start was in the 2024 East Division final against Montreal, where he sustained a fractured tibia and fibula in his right leg. Alouettes linebacker Beverette suggested that Kelly might show some rust and that the Alouettes plan to pressure him early to force turnovers. Maas, however, expects a motivated Kelly rather than a rusty one.
This game also marks the debut of Mike Miller as the Argonauts’ head coach. Miller, who served as Toronto’s quarterbacks coach from 2022 to 2025, replaced Ryan Dinwiddie. The Argonauts will be looking to secure Miller’s first win as head coach. Defensive back DaShaun Amos noted that the team’s motivation comes from within, aiming to give Miller his first victory.
Local players return home for Argonauts’ season opener
Several Argonauts players will be returning to their hometown of Montreal for the game. Receiver Kevin Mital, offensive lineman Domenico Piazza, linebacker Brian Harelimana, defensive end Jeremiah Ojo, and cornerback L-P Gauthier all have roots in the area. Piazza will be making his CFL debut on the field where the game will be played, having played at McGill.
Gauthier, a third-round draft pick, will be making his Argonauts debut in Montreal. He expressed excitement about playing in front of his family, who will be in attendance. Ojo, who played his first CFL game in Montreal a year ago on special teams, is more confident this season and hopes to contribute on the defensive line. He emphasized the importance of consistent effort and preparation.
The demand for tickets among the Montreal-based Argonauts players has been high, with Ojo mentioning he had secured at least 14 tickets. Gauthier noted that his friends and family had purchased their tickets in advance, anticipating the home opener. The Argonauts also signed receiver Kevin Mital to a one-year contract extension through 2027 on Thursday.
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Source: montrealgazette.com
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