Alouettes ready for physical challenge against undefeated Blue Bombers
The Montreal Alouettes will attempt Thursday night what six other CFL teams have failed to do -- hand the Winnipeg Blue Bombers their first loss of the season.
The two-time reigning Grey Cup champions Bombers, off to an 8-0 start for the first time since 1960, arrive in Montreal with a 5-0 road record and with as many wins as all the teams in the East Division combined.
To make the going even rougher for the Alouettes, Montreal (2-5) will head to Winnipeg for the second of back-to-back games against the Bombers in Week 10.
Facing a David against
Goliath situation, Alouettes quarterback Trevor Harris kept zeroed in on his team’s situation.
“We’ve just got to get win No. 3,” Harris said. “Obviously, Winnipeg is a tremendous team, we know that. They’ve beaten everybody this year.
But for me, I don’t see us as a team that throws out Hail Marys to win in every game.
“It’s about us fine-tuning the details. I believe in the guys in this locker room and I think we can get a win every other week in the CFL, just like any other team can. There’s a lot of parity in this league.”
The Alouettes will play their fourth game with general manager Danny Maciocia as head coach and Noel Thorpe as defensive co-ordinator, who took over after head coach Khari Jones and DC Barron Miles were fired during Montreal’s Week 4 bye.
“Noel Thorpe defences are going to play hard,” said Bombers offensive co-ordinator Buck Pierce. “They’re going to be physical; they’re going to want to get after the quarterback. They pride themselves on their physicality up front.
“Like I told the guys (on Tuesday) getting out there, be ready to play one of our most physical games of the season.”
The Alouettes may have a lowly record, but Maciocia expects his team welcome the Bombers to their home turf with physicality.
“To win football games, you have to be physical,” he said. “You’re going to have to win the battle of the line of scrimmage whether it’s on the offensive line or defensive. Like I always say, `Games are won on the line of scrimmage.’
Linebacker Chris Ackie will return to the roster, adding to Montreal’s defensive corps. The Alouettes activated him from the six-week injury list on Aug. 1 following an ankle injury.
He said that the defensive team needed to adapt in the last few weeks and is thrilled to be a part of it.
“I’m excited to be back,” Ackie said. “I was tired of watching, tired of rehabbing for a pretty serious ankle injury. I’m happy to help the defence in any way I can.
“We’re a good team, the talent’s there. I noticed over the last few weeks that we were more physical on defense.”
Maciocia wants Ackie and the rest of the Alouettes’ defence to put pressure om Winnipeg star quarterback Zach Collaros and force the Bombers into longgame situations by second down.