Preview: MTL at SSK – Week 11
The Montreal Alouettes (8-1-0) will face the Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-3-1) for the second and final time this season. The Als won a 20-16 decision at Percival Molson Stadium on July 25th. This will be the first time Montreal will visit Regina since July 2, 2022.
Davis Alexander will start:
Quarterback Davis Alexander will get the start on Friday night in Regina. This will be his third consecutive start. He entered the game in relief of Caleb Evans in the second half the last time these two teams met.
Alexander was back at practice on Wednesday, after being away from the team for personal reasons on Tuesday.
“I had to go back home (to Arizona) and handle some stuff,” Alexander said on Wednesday. “I had to see family and be there for family. It’s an unfortunate situation, but I’m back here now and ready for the game.
“It’s nice to be out here today. I would say I was a little rusty and a little off, but it is what it is. I’m not really worried about it.”
The 25-year-old has completed 74 percent of his passes for 687 yards, five touchdowns and one interception in 2024. He went 15-for-18 for 178 yards and two touchdowns against the Riders three weeks ago.
Cody Fajardo, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, will serve as the backup quarterback on Friday night.
Tyson Philpot (foot) and Najee Murray (ankle) won’t play:
Star receiver Tyson Philpot, who didn’t finish last Saturday’s game against the Tiger-Cats, won’t play in Regina this week. The Alouettes placed the Canadian pass-catcher on the six-game injured list this week.
Despite missing the final three quarters of the last game, Philpot is still second in the CFL in receiving yards (779) behind B.C.’s Justin McInnis.
The 24-year-old is considered week-to-week right now.
Veteran defensive back Najee Murray, who was a last-minute scratch last week, won’t suit up against the Roughriders.
Nafees Lyon will take his spot on the roster and start at boundary corner for Montreal.
Also, veteran defensive back Wes Sutton will be a game-time decision.
Trevor Harris/A.J. Ouellette return for Riders:
The Roughriders will get a couple of familiar faces back in their lineup for this game, as former Alouettes quarterback Trevor Harris will return. The 38-year-old has missed the last six games with a knee injury. This will be the first time Harris will play against the Als since he signed with the Riders as a free agent in the winter of 2023.
“He’s a veteran that knows the game,” Maas said of Harris. “He reads defences extremely quickly and gets the ball out of his hands. He’s not going to scramble around at all like (Shea Patterson) can and move out of the pocket that much. Can he do it? Yes. He can be productive when he does leave the pocket because you’re not expecting that part of him. He’s a savvy veteran that knows the league and the defences…he’s a very accurate quarterback.”
Running back A.J. Ouellette (hip) will also return to the lineup. He missed the last game between these two teams. The 29-year-old has rushed for 389 yards and three touchdowns on 96 carries in 2024 which is his first with the Riders.
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