Preview: Alouettes head to Hamilton for Eastern Final
The Montreal Alouettes have been a solid road team since Jason Maas took over as head coach in 2023. In three full regular seasons under Maas, the Als have 18-7-1 record away from Percival Molson Stadium. On Saturday afternoon, the Alouettes will need to win one last road game to reach their goal of making the Grey Cup.
The Alouettes will take on the Tiger-Cats at Hamilton stadium on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. ET. This is the team’s fourth consecutive trip to the Eastern Final.
“We play really well on the road,” quarterback Davis Alexander said. “It doesn’t scare us that we’re going on the road. We’re excited. It’s going to be a great atmosphere. They’re a great football team; they won the division.”
Last Saturday, the Als eliminated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers by beating them, 42-33, in the first round of the playoffs.
The Eastern Semi-Final was Alexander’s first start in the postseason, and he delivered in a big way. On top of scoring a rushing touchdown, he also tossed for 384 yards and a major.
The Alouettes also got a big performance out of running back Stevie Scott III, who was making his playoff debut. He finished the night with 18 carries for 133 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Here’s what you need to know about the lineup:
Austin Mack game-time decision
Receiver Austin Mack was limited in practice all week because of a hamstring injury. Mack will be a game-time decision.
The 28-year-old had three catches for 98 yards in last week’s Eastern Semi-Final win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Mack’s 50-yard reception with the Als down 27-25 in the third quarter helped shift momentum back his team’s way.
If Mack can’t go, expect veteran Alexander Hollins to take his place in the lineup.
Changes to the lineup:
The Alouettes will make three changes to their lineup ahead of Saturday’s game against the Tiger-Cats.
Running back Travis Theis will make his return to the lineup on Saturday afternoon. He’ll take Canadian Sean Thomas Erlington’s spot in the lineup.
Theis was named the team’s Most Outstanding Rookie for the 2025 season.
Rookie defensive back Don Callis will take Dionte Ruffin’s spot on the roster. Fellow rookie Robert Kennedy will start at field halfback.
Canadian linebacker Riley MacLeod will make his postseason debut. He’ll take American Bubba Bolden’s spot on the roster.
Defensive tackle Mustafa Johnson will miss his second consecutive game with an upper-body injury. For the second week in a row, Kori Roberson Jr. will start at defensive tackle.
Roberson Jr. forced a key fumble in the second half of last week’s game when he stripped Bombers running back Brady Oliveira.
