CFL: Also-ran Roughriders and Alouettes clash with next season in mind
REGINA— The Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal Alouettes have similar records, but their recent play shows two teams going in different directions heading into Saturday’s match at Mosaic Stadium.
Though eliminated from the playoffs, the Riders (5-10) are riding a four-game win streak and look poised to finish 2016 on an upswing.
The team has been in sync on offence, defence and special teams through most of those four wins. They’ve maintained stability over the past two months despite a rash of injuries.
On the other hand, the Alouettes (4-11) haven’t clinched a playoff spot, are on a two-game losing streak and have found little consistency on offence amid several personnel changes.
The team cut receiving yards leader Duron Carter on Monday, along with fellow receiver Kenny Stafford. Veteran quarterback Kevin Glenn was traded to Winnipeg in September, and Jacques Chapdelaine replaced general manager Jim Popp as Montreal’s interim head coach a week later.
On Saturday, offensive co-ordinator Anthony Calvillo will look to rookie quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. to turn around the Als’ sputtering offence against the Riders’ stubborn defence.
Calvillo said Adams’ ability to see the field as a play progresses is a valuable strength.
“I think if his first read’s not there, he’s able to go to a second and third read,” he said. “And to me, for a young quarterback, that’s pretty impressive, because that just doesn’t happen overnight.”
The 23-year-old Adams has seen limited action throughout the season, and Saturday’s game will be his first professional start.
Through three seasons at Eastern Washington University and one season at Oregon, Adams amassed 13,081 yards passing and 136 passing touchdowns.
TICATS KNOCK ARGOS OUT:
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats rallied from a 15-point deficit to beat the Ottawa Redblacks 39-36 in overtime, knocking the Toronto Argonauts out of playoff contention while they were on the field in Calgary late Friday night.
Jeremiah Masoli threw two fourthquarter touchdown passes and Brett Maher kicked two overtime field goals as the Ticats (7-9-0) moved to within one point of the East-leading Redblacks (7-8-1).