Raise your hand those who remember the last time the Alouettes started their season with three consecutive victories? Or the date of the last full house at Percival-Molson? The last victory with 47 points or more at home?
2011, 2016 and 2013.
Don’t feel too bad if you didn’t remember, we had to call the Alouettes’ dreaded PR department to confirm these answers.
After this 47-21 victory scored in a resounding and decisive manner against the Ottawa Rouge et Noir, Thursday in Montreal, the 2024 Alouettes have the appearance of great vintages of the organization, circa Jim Popp and the late Don Matthews.
The attack is well-established, the defense is masterful, the special teams give almost nothing, they who experienced a rare failure by allowing a 101-yard touchdown on a punt return to Devonte Dedmon.
Cody Fajardo threw for 393 yards in Thursday’s win. Kaion Julien-Grant and Tyson Philpot had 139 and 127 yards of aerial gains. Philpot notably scored a touchdown on a spectacular 51-yard play, after yet another turnover caused by the defense in this match.
“Tonight, walking through the tunnel to the field and seeing how full the stadium was, we wanted to put in a big performance,” Fajardo said.
“This team also has more chemistry,” added Fajardo to explain the success of the attack. Last year, at this point in the season, we were still trying to learn our names. Now we know our whole life and we can concentrate on football. This is why, in my opinion, we are off to such a good start, such an efficient attack this season.
“There’s still some things to refine, but we’re scoring a lot more touchdowns than last year, when we were scoring a lot more field goals. We are better at completing our offensive drives. »
Even a guy like Reggie White Jr., who hadn’t played since October 2022 and never with Fajardo, seemed like he never left.
“I am so happy that he is back after more than 600 days of rehabilitation,” first indicated the Alouettes No. 7. I saw him all week in training: he was making plays and gaining my confidence. We’re not where we could be in our relationship yet, because we’ve only been playing together for a week. For him to come back and score two touchdowns like that is great. »
White, who finished the game with four catches for 61 yards and two touchdowns, couldn’t have asked for more in his return to the game.
” It was wonderful. I’ve been waiting for this day for so long. To achieve this in front of our fans, but especially my family, who came from New Jersey to attend this match.
“I was a little rusty at first, but I’m going to watch the films and fix everything for next week. »
” It’s really unbelievable. Our players love Reggie because of all the work he has done since he has been away from the game and the kind of person he is,” said head coach Jason Maas. Our team is full of good guys who love coming to work, being together and playing for each other. I guarantee everyone in this locker room loves playing for Reggie and loves seeing him succeed. You’re happy to see a guy like him succeed. »
The Alouettes will try to continue this series of successes next week in Toronto. The Argonauts are 1-0 as of this writing. They will host the Edmonton Elks (0-2) this Saturday.