(Montreal) Cameron Dukes is used to confounding skeptics.
After a few outings below expectations, the Toronto Argonauts quarterback is eager to face the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday at Percival-Molson Stadium.
I’ve been doubted my whole life. Coming out of high school, they didn’t believe in me. In college, they didn’t believe in me. When I came into this league, they didn’t believe in me. At the start of the season, nobody believed in me yet.
Cameron Dukes
“People can continue to doubt me. […] I care about what I can control, what I can do for this team. I don’t care about the outside noise.”
The Argos (2-2) are in uncharted territory, on a losing streak for the first time in nearly two years. Meanwhile, the Alouettes will try to extend their record to 6-0 and their winning streak to 14 games.
Dukes has had a strong start to the season replacing Chad Kelly, who is suspended indefinitely. The 25-year-old quarterback has completed 39 of 48 passes for five touchdowns and no interceptions in his first two games, both victories.
But the American struggled, completing just 41 of 66 passes for no touchdowns and five interceptions in the next two.
Argos head coach Ryan Dinwiddie continues to have faith in Dukes. Not surprisingly, he said the key Thursday will be avoiding turnovers.
In the other locker room, quarterback Cody Fajardo talks about the biggest challenge of the season for his club.
The Alouettes will have to deal with major injuries to starters and a very short five-day week since their last game.
“This is our biggest test as a team,” Fajardo admitted. “Because of all the circumstances: the injuries, the very physical game against Calgary, the short week and the opponent. Toronto knows us very well and had two extra days to prepare.
“But the guys are up for the challenge.”
For what it’s worth, CFL clubs are 0-2 after a five-day week.
The Alouettes have 12 players on the injured list for six games, including kicker David Côté, who was removed from the lineup during the warm-up period last Saturday.
A decision on the participation of marauder Marc-Antoine Dequoy and long-return specialist Louis-Philippe Bourassa will be made at the last minute.
The Argos will be without defensive lineman Jake Ceresna and Canadian receiver Tommy Nield. Wide receiver David Ungerer III will also miss the game, although he practiced this week.
Although there is still plenty of football to be played, the Argos believe this is a crucial game for them.
“You want to play the best team in the league,” Dunwiddie said. “No game is easy. We’re playing for the season series against them. So early, but such an important game.”