Pre-Game Notes: Alouettes open 2026 season in Hamilton
The moment has finally arrived!
For the first time since last November’s Grey Cup, the Montreal Alouettes will be back on the field playing in a game that will have an impact on the standings.
The defending Eastern Division champions will travel to Hamilton to take on the Tiger-Cats on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. ET (TSN, RDS, TSN 690, 99.5 Montreal). This is a rematch of last year’s East Division Final which the Als won on a walk-off field goal by Jose Maltos-Diaz.
“We’re super excited for another opportunity,” explained quarterback Davis Alexander. “It’s special that we get to kick-off the (CFL season). We’re going to go into a hostile environment. I’m sure they’re wanting revenge and all that stuff. It’s going to be fun and intense, and our group will be ready for it.”
Throughout that 19-16 victory over the Ticats last November, it became clear that Alexander was becoming public enemy number one in Hamilton. The crowd got on the franchise pivot early, and he seemed to embrace it by gesturing to the Tiger-Cats faithful after big plays.
“I just think it’s stuff you dream about all the time,” the 27-year-old said. “Playing in front of people that may not necessarily like you or that don’t want you to do well and just proving people wrong. They might not even think that, but that’s the mentality you have on the road.”
Alexander exited the Alouettes’ first preseason game with a leg injury, but he wasn’t limited in any way throughout the practice week. He’ll be ready to go on Thursday night.
Tough news for Stevie Scott III
Unfortunately for the Als, starting running back Stevie Scott III won’t be in the lineup in Week 1. He suffered a hamstring injury during Tuesday’s on-field session and was ruled out just hours later.
Second-year tailback Travis Theis will get the start in Scott’s place. He’ll be backed up by preseason standout Shomari Lawrence, who was activated off the practice roster.
Josh Archibald #97, Travis Theis #5
The Alouettes coaching staff is confident in their run game, so don’t be surprised if they have a more balanced attack in 2026.
“You saw that last year towards the end of the year,” Maas said of his team running the ball more often. “Every defence in the league will tell you that they want to limit (explosive plays), stop the run, control the line of scrimmage and be physical. We want to do those things too offensively, and it’s going to start up front with our guys. At the end of the day, we want to keep teams off balance. That starts with a great run game.”
A new starting safety
The Alouettes didn’t have many starting jobs up for grabs in training camp, but safety was one of the positions that had a question mark associated with it. It wasn’t because the team didn’t have talent at the position, it was because Marc-Antoine Dequoy retired.
Nate Beauchemin, Arthur Hamlin and Jonathan Sutherland competed for that spot. Hamlin spent two weeks with the starting defence while Beauchemin spent the final seven days and the last preseason game with the number one unit.
Nate Beauchemin #23
Heading into Week 1, Beauchemin will get the start.
“With Nate, I don’t even know if I can explain it very well. He can tackle like hell, he knows how to line up people and he’s a good leader back there. He made plays too. He came down on a couple of balls and showed an aggressive mindset.”
The 23-year-old was limited to 10 games during his rookie season in 2025 due to injury. He made one defensive tackle and eight on special teams. He was the team’s second-round pick in 2025.
Some youth on the defensive line
With veterans Dylan Wynn and Shawn Oakman no longer on the roster, it was clear that the Alouettes were going to be a little more youthful at defensive tackle.
Veteran Mustafa Johnson is healthy after missing most of last season due to two different injuries and Kori Roberson Jr. is back for his second season, but he won’t suit up in Hamilton.
Instead, Johnson will be flanked by CFL rookies Decarius Hawthorne and Daniel Wise on Thursday night.
Hawthrone was added to the practice squad last October before re-signing during the winter. He played for four years at Florida Atlantic before transferring to South Florida. He then had a brief stint with the Los Angeles Rams in 2025.
Wise has much more pro experience, as he’s spent time with Dallas, Arizona, Washington, Kansas City and the Michigan Panthers (UFL) before joining the Alouettes.
The 30-year-old was named to the All-UFL team in 2024.
The Alouettes will have their home opener on Friday, June 12th when they take on the Toronto Argonauts at Percival Molson Stadium. You can purchase your tickets by visiting goAlsgo.com.
