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Current four-game losing streak mirrors the 2023 season, when Montreal won the Grey Cup.
Author of the article:
Montreal Gazette
Montreal Gazette
Herb Zurkowsky
Published Sep 03, 2025 • Last updated 16 minutes ago • 4 minute read
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While many Alouettes players are returning from injury this week, the team is still relying on its fourth-string QB, James Morgan. Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press
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If it happened once, Alouettes head coach Jason Maas believes history can be repeated.
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It was roughly at this time during the 2023 season when the Als, with Maas in his first year coaching the team, were in the midst of a four-game losing streak. It ended in mid-September and Montreal never lost again, winning its final five regular-season games and three more in the playoffs, capped by its Grey Cup victory against Winnipeg.
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Of course, the Als weren’t down to their fourth-string quarterback that season.
“The last two years in particular the teams that had the best record at this time of the year didn’t go on to win a Grey Cup,” Maas told the media on Tuesday, the Als’ first practice following its second bye week in the schedule.
The Als (5-6) are on a four-game losing streak heading into Saturday afternoon’s game against Hamilton at Molson Stadium (1 p.m.). Montreal remains second in the East Division and could move into a tie with the Tiger-Cats (6-5), who are in the midst of their own three-game skid. Montreal lost at Hamilton, 35-17, on June 27.
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While it appears nothing’s going right for the Als, who have struggled without injured starting quarterback Davis Alexander, seven games remain and Montreal appears to be as healthy as the team has been in a number of weeks.
Injured receivers Tyson Philpot and Austin Mack, tailback Sean Thomas Erlington, safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy and return-specialist James Letcher Jr. have all practised this week and could return against Hamilton. There’s also a possibility defensive-tackle Mustafa Johnson (knee) could make his season debut. But leading receiver Tyler Snead (heel) is unlikely to play.
While Alexander (hamstring) is on the six-game injured list and has one game remaining to serve, management has maintained he will play again this season. Alexander’s practising in a limited capacity, but the date of his return hasn’t been confirmed yet. The Als are in Saskatchewan Sept. 13.
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James Morgan remains the Als’ starting quarterback.
Following Montreal’s loss to Winnipeg on Aug. 21, a defiant Maas argued the season’s not slipping away and can still be salvaged.
“There’s a lot of football to be played,” he said. “You look at the CFL … the teams that go through a bit of a struggle like this generally are tough to beat down the stretch. That’s what I hang my hat on. I know what we were two years ago in this locker room. I know what we did. You always have some hope when you think about things like that. Those are experiences you live off of.
“Right now our focus needs to be on health, getting better and improving. The wins will follow and when we do that, everybody’s going to start talking about is in a different light.”
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While every year brings its own set of challenges, Maas hasn’t been accustomed to losing since arriving in Montreal. The Als went 11-7 in 2023 before having a league-leading 12-5-1 record last season. While Montreal lost the division final to Toronto, Maas was named the CFL’s coach of the year.
“It sounds strange, but that’s (the record) not my focus,” Maas said. “My focus on us is, each and every day, preparing to win and getting better. I know where we’re at; trust me. I know we’ve lost four straight. I know we’re 5-6. I know all those things. I know when we get healthy and come back ready to work, we’re going to be better prepared. We’re going to be at our best. I’m so focused on the process. I don’t worry about the results. Otherwise, they just make you mad. I choose not to look at that and I think it has helped me in the course of being a head coach. We all know where we’re at. We have to play better, get healthier and get back to work.
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“Having bodies back will help,” Maas added. “When we look back at this four-game stretch at the end of the season, it’s going to tell a lot about ourselves. What it has made us is (mentally) stronger. When we get healthier and the starters come back, we should be a better team.”
But Maas, an emotional and fiery leader, also understands the focus is on him to keep the players motivated, and continue believing, despite the recent lack of results and production. The players will be watching his demeanour and probably feeding off that.
“It’s our job to keep people going, keep them motivated and understanding the season’s not over,” he said. “You have to keep playing. I’m a positive thinker. I believe we’re going to be there at the end. That means it’s going to turn.”
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