It was D-Day for the Montreal Alouettes, Saturday night. Here, the military analysis is in order, because the Sparrows are on a mission this season. The quest for the Gray Cup is assumed by everyone in the locker room. The first game of the season against the Ottawa Redblacks got off to a flying start but ended in trench warfare. In the snatch, the locals triumphed 19 to 12.
It’s hard to tell if the Alouettes were cheered up and motivated by 2Frères or France d’Amour during the pre-game show, but the Montrealers were alive and well. They managed to make people all around dream that this season was indeed going to be one of redemption. At least, for a short time at the start of the meeting.
After months of renewal, procrastination, doubts and hope, the organization had the opportunity to show its new face, at home.
Among the new figures, quarterback Cody Fajardo is undoubtedly the one whose excitement was most palpable during training camp. By coming to Montreal, he wanted to prove his worth, after tumultuous years in Saskatchewan.
In the short term, his goal was first to deliver a good first impression. From the first sequence of the match, this box on his wish list was crossed out.
On his first attempted pass in a tricolor uniform, Fajardo joined Austin Mack at the goal gate for a 61-yard play. The quarterback threaded the needle himself with a one-yard run.
Four plays, a touchdown and a lead of seven. “It went as planned,” said Fajardo, all smiles with his navy cap on his head, still sweating. We wanted to place a deep ball early in the game. »
This chemistry, noticeable during training camp between the quarterback and Mack, was a relief for the Montreal offense. With Greg Ellingson injured for at least six games, there were questions about who would become Fajardo’s go-to target. The response was not long in coming. “I feel like he picked up everything I threw at him,” the quarterback continued.
The center found Mack two more times for long gains of 34 and 21 yards in the second and third quarters. “It was absolutely incredible,” said the 25-year-old. […] When the ball comes my way, I have to make sure I catch it, that’s all. I have to do my job. »
He finished the game with 120 passing yards. “It’s a great start,” agreed head coach Jason Maas. What you saw today, we saw throughout the camp. »
The defense drives the show
The Alouettes’ offense was more moribund after the first quarter, scoring no more touchdowns. At least kicker David Côté’s leg was effective.
The show was instead provided by the defensive unit. As if Mouffe and Denoncourt had done their part.
The men of Noel Thorpe, the defensive coordinator, did not allow a touchdown during the game. The pressure exerted by the players was constant and the Alouettes smothered almost every opposing threat.
In fact, like the offense, the defense started the game with a bang. Ciante Evans intercepted the first pass of the game from Nick Arbuckle, the Rouge et Noir quarterback.
Evans stood out with another interception in the second quarter. He was truly the spark plug for his team. “It’s a collective success”, however wanted to put into perspective the one who also knocked down a pass in the end zone on the last game of the third quarter.
The Als had a third interception late in the game, courtesy of Najee Murray. ” We are united. That’s our advantage, added Evans. We are here because we have a mission. »
Adjustments to be made
The most surprising thing about this game was the performance of the offensive line. However, all the players in the unit played with the Alouettes last season, with the exception of Justin Lawrence, another veteran who joined the team.
So much so that in this off-season strewn with questions, the only safe bet seemed to be the offensive line. However, she failed in the task, making the job of her quarterback unpleasant.
“We have to give credit to Ottawa, they have a very good defensive line, but we have to be better,” said guard Pier-Olivier Lestage.
The offensive wall allowed four quarterback sacks in the first half. But still, the more the match progressed, the more Fajardo was in a hurry. And he let it show in his posture and his decision-making, necessarily affected by his reduced time to throw the ball and find solutions. Fajardo eventually cashed in six sacks. “That’s not the important thing. You just have to win games,” the quarterback said.
This Achilles heel affected the team’s performance as the match progressed. If the start of the match was explosive and profitable, it is difficult to say the same for the quarters that followed, with an almost dry production.
“It was a tough win, but it’s a win,” Lestage said. And for the Alouettes, that’s all that matters.