5 players who stood out in preseason opener vs. Ottawa
The Alouettes’ preseason opener on Saturday evening at Percival Molson Stadium was far from perfect, but exhibition games rarely are. Even though this 23-7 loss won’t go down as a masterpiece, there are useful things that can be pulled from this game.
Is there a lot the Als could’ve done better? Absolutely. Did they do some things well? Yes. Did some players stand out? For sure! Let’s look at who some of those performers were on Saturday.
James Morgan – QB:
Morgan earned himself a practice roster spot last year by playing well in the final preseason game in Ottawa. He didn’t get to take any snaps in the regular season in 2024, but he picked up where he left off because he played pretty well on Saturday.
Morgan got just one drive, and it came in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately for the Als, it ended with a turnover on downs, but it was still a 13-play drive with two third-down conversions that came via a pass.
If you’re around the Alouettes at all, you’ll understand why it’s easy to root for Morgan. He consistently stays on the field after practice to put in extra work. On Thursday, most of the players were in the cafeteria eating because practice had been over for a while and Morgan was still on the field.
He also goes above and beyond to help the younger receivers on the team get extra work in. During an interview with Kaseem Ferdinand this past week, the rookie Canadian receiver mentioned Morgan by name as someone who has helped him pick up the playbook.
He finished 7/12 for 60 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions.
Tiger Shanks – OL:
The Alouettes’ first-round pick in 2025 looked very comfortable in his first pro experience. The coaching staff didn’t put him in an easy position, as they made him move all over the line throughout the second half. He spent most of his time at right tackle and right guard, but he also took some reps at left tackle.
The fifth overall pick looked comfortable. He wasn’t perfect, but he had a strong showing. On one of running back Stevie Scott’s first-down runs in the second half, Shanks could be seen displacing an Ottawa defensive lineman to create a hole for his teammate.
Yes, you can’t read too much into one preseason game, but it sure seems like this is the start of a special career.
Jalen Wayne – WR:
Wayne is in his second training camp with the Alouettes. He was cut after the preseason and eventually made his way onto the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad. Wayne didn’t necessarily have a poor camp; he just didn’t get the targets in either preseason game in 2024. That could be why the Als brought him back. It’s not common practice for teams to bring back players they cut in training camp a year prior.
The 26-year-old finished the night with three receptions for a team-high 32 yards in the loss to the Redblacks. Two of his passes came on throw by Morgan, and one came on a third-quarter pass by veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson.
It won’t be easy to crack this roster as a receiver, but Wayne put his best foot forward against the Redblacks.
Najee Murray/Wesley Sutton – DB:
Hopefully picking two veterans isn’t seen as a cop out, but Murray and Sutton were very good in the secondary. Both defensive backs had impressive coverage on Redblacks receiver Justin Hardy in the first half, and both seem to be in mid-season form already.
There isn’t much to say about these two players that hasn’t already been said. They are pros that bring their lunch pail to work every day. Both have had to overcome injury adversity recently, as they each missed time in 2024, but they were re-signed last winter for a reason. They bring stability and veteran presence to the back end and that’s an important aspect of any defence.
Davis Alexander, McLeod Bethel-Thompson CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
Joshua Hutley – K:
The Als drafted the Australian kicker in the second round of the 2025 Global Draft, and he didn’t disappoint in his first game. He was two-for-two on field goals, including one from 45 yards out in the rain.
It takes some time to get used to a left-footed kicker (there haven’t been many in recent Alouettes history), but he looked cool and confident.
According to linebackers coach Greg Quick, who runs the Global Draft for the Alouettes, the 29-year-old can kick with both feet, and he can also kick off and punt if necessary.
It’s also important to mention 2025 Global first-rounder Joshua Sloan was able to properly hold for Hutley on both of his field goal attempts.
What’s next?
The Alouettes will be back on the practice field in Saint-Jerome on Monday morning at 10 am. They’ll play their final game of the 2025 preseason in Ottawa on Friday night.
