Preview: Als look to improve to 3-0 in Edmonton on Saturday
The Montreal Alouettes will look to improve their record to 3-0-0 on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Edmonton to take on the Elks at 4 p.m. ET.
This will be the Als’ first West Division opponent of the season, as they managed to take down Hamilton and Toronto in Weeks 1 and 2. This will also be the second straight week that they play a team coming off a bye week.
ALEXANDER VS. FAJARDO PART 1
This will be the first time that quarterback Davis Alexander will face Elks pivot Cody Fajardo. Alexander and Fajardo played together in 2023 and 2024 before the current Als quarterback was anointed the starter in the winter of 2025.
Last season, Fajardo was the backup to Tre Ford when the Alouettes visited Edmonton in June, and Alexander was injured when the Elks came to Montreal in August.
The pair won the Grey Cup together in 2023 with Fajardo being the game’s MVP.
Davis Alexander and Cody Fadjardo in 2024
“He knows how much he means to me from a football perspective, a leadership perspective and just everything that I kind of went through in those years with Cody,” Alexander said of his former teammate. “We have nothing but love and respect for each other. He was an incredible mentor for me, especially coming from (Jason) Maas’ offence. The way he carries himself and his attitude.”
Speaking of Alexander, he can improve his record as a starter to 14-0 with a win over the Elks on Saturday night. That would tie the all-time record for consecutive wins as a starting quarterback (Bo Levi Mitchell has the record).
The 27-year-old already owns the record for most consecutive wins as a starter to begin a career.
SUPER MARIO RETURNS
On Thursday, the Als announced that they had re-signed former CFL’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player Mario Alford, who had been released by Hamilton during training camp.
Punt return touchdown by Mario Alford in 2020 against Edmonton
Alford spent the 2019, 2021 and 2022 seasons with the Als.
“It’s like a circle,” Alford said of his journey back to Montreal. “It’s a blessing to be here, but anything can happen at any given moment. I’m just excited to be back.
“It was tough (to be released by Hamilton). I haven’t been in that situation in a long time. I have been before, but it’s been quite some time. I stayed grounded and on my game. I stayed ready for this moment.”
Earlier this week, the Alouettes released Phillip Brooks, who had been the primary returner for two games while DeVonte Dedmon is on the six-game injured list. Dedmon has looked good during individual drills on the sideline, but he isn’t quite ready to return yet. Hence the need for Alford right now.
BANGED UP
Even though they’re off to a good start, the team hasn’t had much luck on the injury front through two games. Starters Cole Spieker and Justin Lawrence went down in Week 1, while veteran Najee Murray couldn’t suit up against Toronto last week. He’ll be back in Week 3.
Star linebacker Tyrice Beverette was unable to finish the game against the Argos, and he’ll be out this week against Edmonton.
Bubba Bolden, who recorded his first interception last week, will get the start on Saturday. He finished the game with two defensive tackles.
On the offensive front, receiver Jerreth Sterns appeared to have suffered an injury during the week. He’s been placed on the six-game injured list.
“I’ve talked about how great (Sterns) has been for us in camp,” Alexander said. “You know the mentality here: it’s next man up. We lost Cole Spieker in the first quarter (of the season), and we had no idea what we were going to do. Marco Dubois stepped up for us. We’ll be ready to roll.”
Quick hits
Canadian receiver Kaseem Ferdinand, who was signed by the Alouettes last week, will make his first start of 2026. He played four games for the Als in 2025.
Terique Owens, son of Pro Football Hall-of-Famer Terrel Owens, will make his CFL debut on Saturday afternoon. He’ll take Sterns’ spot on the 45-man roster.
Micah Awe will start at middle linebacker, according to the team depth chart. Geoffrey Cantin-Arku will move to weak-side linebacker but expect those two to interchange throughout the game.
Kicker Jose Maltos-Diaz, who missed the first two days of practice due to a right groin issue, practiced on Thursday. He’s expected to suit up on Saturday.
The Alouettes will play their next home game on Sunday, June 28, against the Ottawa Redblacks at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium. Tickets are available on the Alouettes’ official website. ICI.
