(Hamilton) Bo Levi Mitchell and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats will face their toughest test of the season Friday when they host the Montreal Alouettes at Tim Hortons Field.
After a tough start to the season, the Tiger-Cats (2-5) have won their last two games, but have lost their previous seven meetings against the defending Grey Cup champions.
The Alouettes (6-1) have allowed less than 300 net yards to their opponents in their last three games.
“Any time you play against the Grey Cup champions or a team that’s first in your division, it’s always a huge test,” Mitchell said.
They are a physical, intelligent, well-coached team that shows a lot of different things and tries to unsettle you. It will be a great test for us. We will have to trust each other.
Bo Levi Mitchell, Tiger Cats quarterback
Surprisingly, neither team made any changes to their lineup for Friday’s game.
The Tiger-Cats had little respite, winning 44-28 Sunday in Edmonton. Against the Elks, Mitchell threw a career-high five touchdown passes and had 316 yards passing.
James Butler also played a key role, rushing for 98 yards on 21 carries.
Since the start of the season, the Ontario team has scored 20 offensive touchdowns, which places it second behind Montreal (21).
The Alouettes’ defense is also excellent. It leads the CFL in several categories, including fewest points allowed (18.9 per game), net offense (317.3 yards), passing yards (223.1), passing touchdowns (four) and completions of 30-plus yards (three).
The Alouettes are tied for fourth in sacks (15) and second in forced turnovers (16), but they lead the league in second-down conversions (42.7%).
Linebacker Tyrice Beverette leads the CFL in defensive plays (59) and forced fumbles (four), while Quebec’s Marc-Antoine Dequoy is a defensive stalwart.
“Defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe has guys he trusts who can play a variety of positions. Beverette is probably one of the most underrated players in the league. Dequoy does a great job of running the defense. With this defense, you always have to know where everybody is.”
Even though Cody Fajardo’s name is no longer on injured reserve, the quarterback will not be in uniform Friday.
PHOTO GRAHAM HUGHES, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander
Davis Alexander will get his first CFL start after playing a key role in last week’s 20-16 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Alexander, in his third season, replaced Caleb Evans and finished with 15 completions of 18 for 178 yards and two touchdowns.
Canadian Tyson Philpot, who leads the CFL with 51 receptions and is second in receiving yards with 690, is one of the Alouettes’ main offensive threats.
“Their receivers are playing really well. They’re not dropping passes and making tough catches,” said Tiger-Cats head coach Scott Milanovich.