Pre-game Preview: Davis Alexander ready for playoff debut

Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander has never started a CFL Playoff game, but he’s already delivered big performances in clutch moments.

During his first CFL campaign in 2022, Alexander entered his preseason debut in Hamilton in the dying moments of the fourth quarter with the Alouettes trailing. The Portland State alum drove down the field and helped give the Als a late lead.

The same thing happened the following week when the Als hosted the Redblacks in the second preseason game. The Alouettes were trailing late when Alexander hit Fabien Guerra deep down the field. The Alouettes ended up winning, 27-26.

Yes, those are preseason games, but keep in mind that in his rookie season, Alexander was fifth on the depth chart. There is immense pressure on the shoulders of a first-year quarterback to deliver when he only gets two offensive drives. If he doesn’t stand out in that short period of time, there’s a decent chance he would get cut, and his pro football career could be over.

“It’s just the competitiveness in me,” Alexander said on Tuesday. “I really try not to feel a difference (in pressure moments). At the end of the day, football is football. You have to go out there, give it your best shot and give yourself the best opportunity.”

There was also a game in Regina in August 2024 when Alexander was filling in for an injured Cody Fajardo. Alexander returned home after the previous game to be with his ailing father, who later passed away a few weeks after that game. The Als pivot returned to Montreal without having practiced. He went into a hostile stadium and scored the game-winning rushing touchdown in the dying moments of the game.

Again, in less-than-ideal circumstances, he delivered a victory.

So, don’t be surprised if Alexander isn’t jittery when he makes his postseason debut at Percival Molson Stadium on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET.

“There’s going to be a ton of emotion,” he admitted. “Your back is against the wall. You’re in fight or flight mode. We just have to do a good job of handling our whole team’s emotions. I get pretty fired up, so it’s going to be on me to calm everybody down and keep myself calm and stay in the moment – no matter what happens, whether we go up 20 or down 20.”

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE EASTERN SEMI-FINAL

Game-time decisions

There are key game-time decisions on both sides. Lwal Uguak (ankle) and Tyrell Richards (back) are both game-time decisions. The Canadians play key roles on this team. Uguak starts at defensive end and brings length to the defence. Richards was the league-leader in special teams tackles, with 30, this season.

On the Blue Bombers side, receiver Nic Demski is also a game-time decision due to a hamstring injury.

Changes to the roster

The Alouettes will be forced to make changes to the roster regardless of whether or not Uguak and Richards suit up.

Defensive tackle Mustafa Johnson will miss the Eastern Semi-Final with an upper-body injury. He was hurt during last week’s game in Winnipeg.

Starting defensive back Ciante Evans will also be out. He’ll be replaced in the starting lineup by Dionte Ruffin.

The good news is that there are several players returning this week. Quebec-born running back Sean Thomas Erlington will factor into the offensive game plan. He suffered a neck injury earlier this season and it was believed that his campaign was over. But he was able to recover quickly.

“Over the last six or seven weeks, I’ve thought about (retirement),” Thomas Erlington said in French. “But in the back of my mind, I always thought that if there was a chance I could come back, I would…To me it was always about getting the clearance from the doctors. I got cleared, so I decided to come back.”

Starting right guard Donnie Ventrelli will make his return to the lineup after missing one game with a lower-body injury.

Returner James Letcher Jr. will also be back.