Mtl 18 – Tor 37
Alouettes drop first game of 2024 on Thursday
The Montreal Alouettes dropped their first game of the season on Thursday night, as they fell 37-18 to the Toronto Argonauts. This was the Als’ first loss since Sep. 15, 2023, putting an end to their 13-game winning streak (regular season and playoffs combined).
Linebacker Alex Gagne, who was also forced to long-snap for an injured Louis-Philippe Bourassa in this game, summed up the loss best.
“It was all three phases of the game,” Gagne admitted. “We were chasing our tail all night. We had a hard time creating big plays, we had a hard time getting momentum on our side, we struggled to keep our energy up. It’s hard to accept, but these are things that happen in sports. It’ll allow us to learn and come back stronger.”
To make matters worse, the Alouettes, who were playing their second game in five days, lost even more bodies due to injury tonight.
Starting quarterback Cody Fajardo exited the game in the first half and did not return. Starting receiver Kaion Julien-Grant was a last-second scratch due to injury, too. Starting centre Justin Lawrence and Canadian linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku both exited the game briefly but returned.
“It’s a super tough (situation to be in),” running back Walter Fletcher, who ran for 60 yards on five carries, said. “With small rosters also, the depth isn’t there like it is in (other leagues). At the end of the day, guys have to be ready, but it’s hard when key guys go down. It was a short week too. We only practiced once. We just have to learn from this and get better.”
There were no updates on any of the injured players after the game. With the number of injuries this team has sustained over the last two weeks, it’s hard to argue that the bye week isn’t coming at the perfect time.
“I think a bye is good at any point, whether you win or you lose,” cornerback Kabion Ento said. “It sucks at any time to lose, but this will give the guys a chance to get their bodies right, and it gives coaches a chance to go back and see what we’re doing good and what we’re doing bad. It gives everybody that chance. We can also see where we need to get better and what we’re not doing well enough. Mostly, it gives everybody a chance to get their body right. A lot of people don’t get to see their families much, so the bye let’s you get away from football a bit.”
On a positive note, it was nice to see receiver Charleston Rambo score the first CFL touchdown in his career. Rambo’s second quarter touchdown cut the Alouettes’ deficit to 10-9 at the time. Through six games, he has 17 receptions for 155 yards and a touchdown.
“I just feel like I can be better for my team,” Rambo said of his first six games. “I can be greater for my quarterbacks, and I can keep being open to make plays.”
What’s next?
The Alouettes will get next week off. They’ll host the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Thursday, July 25 at Percival Molson Stadium.