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As Montreal prepares to visit Tiger-Cats with Grey Cup berth on the line, "everyone believes we're going to win every single game."
Published Nov 04, 2025 • Last updated 1 minute ago • 3 minute read
Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander (10) celebrates during second half Eastern semi-final action against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, in Montreal on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.
"This game was a pretty good picture of our season," quarterback Davis Alexander says of the Alouettes' Eastern semifinal win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday. "We started off well. Then it felt like the sky was falling." Photo by Christopher Katsarov /The Canadian Press
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Separated by only two seasons, it’s understandable to draw comparisons between the 2023 Grey Cup champion Alouettes and this year’s squad.
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The Als were 6-7 in 2023 after a four-game losing streak, but won their final five regular-season games and three more in the playoffs, capped by their upset of Winnipeg in the championship game.
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This season, Montreal was 5-7 after a five-game losing skid before reeling off five consecutive victories. The Als lost their final game at Winnipeg, but rested several veterans — including starting quarterback Davis Alexander — because the game had no bearing on the final standings.
If any revenge was necessary against the Blue Bombers, it was exacted on Saturday, when the Als outscored Winnipeg 42-33 in the East Division semifinal. Montreal now travels to Hamilton for Saturday’s division final.
“The reason I (see similarities) is because the majority of the (2023) team has remained from that season,” Alouettes head coach Jason Maas said. “That belief, being hot at the right time of the year. The connections. All the things we preach in our locker room about culture. It has been born in us. The guys that have been here, that saw it, didn’t bat an eye when we were 5-7 and had a five-game losing streak.”
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Many players on both sides of the ball remain with the Als two seasons later. The biggest contrast is at quarterback after the team moved on from Cody Fajardo last winter in favour of Alexander.
It was a difficult decision to reach, considering Fajardo was named the Grey Cup’s most valuable player. But he missed time last season with a hamstring injury, opening the door for the younger Alexander to pounce. And he did, winning the four games he started. He’s now 12-0 in his career. Fajardo, meanwhile, was traded to Edmonton for fellow quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson — a deal the Als didn’t win.
While it remains early in Alexander’s career, it’s hard not to imagine the 27-year-old will be one of the greatest to play the CFL game in due time. He completed 24 of 34 passes for 384 yards against Winnipeg, along with a touchdown and an interception.
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Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Dexter Lawson (27) defends against Montreal Alouettes' Austin MacK (81) during first half Eastern semi-final action, in Montreal on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Dexter Lawson defends against Alouettes’ Austin Mack during first half of CFL Eastern semifinal in Montreal on Saturday. Photo by Christopher Katsarov /The Canadian Press
“We’ve been through so much this year,” Alexander said. “I’m going to bet on myself every single time. I’m never going to be scared of the moment. In the most humble way possible, I’m built for this. I’m built for this league. I’m built to be the quarterback of the Montreal Alouettes. We have a locker room that has fully bought into the vision. Everyone believes we’re going to win every single game. It’s beautiful and I’ll never take it for granted. Groups like this just don’t happen.”
“This game was a pretty good picture of our season. We started off well. Then it felt like the sky was falling. Somehow we blink and we’re down by two. But we trust each other. We trust the process. We can’t let that happen again, but it speaks about the character of our team. Everyone believes in everyone.”
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Maas, a former CFL quarterback, said Alexander’s compete level combined with his preparation is what separates him from others. But he was also quick to note that Alexander is in the early stage of his career.
“I was around A.C. (Anthony Calvillo). I never thought anyone would prepare better than him,” Maas said. “The compete level in Davis is unlike anybody I’ve been around. Few guys I know are that competitive. That’s what elevates his teammates and gives you belief.
“We want to win every week. Why would I concede anything? That’s Davis’s way too. Now, he’s finally in a locker room with guys who believe that. If you compete, connect and work hard, you should expect results. Why should you have to lose? If I prepare enough and my team’s good enough, we should win every week. You want to play on the edge. That’s what (Alexander) is good at.”
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The Als lost twice to Hamilton this season, but Alexander was injured and didn’t play in either game. It also hasn’t been lost on Maas that Hamilton Stadium was the site of their Grey Cup victory.
“We feel very comfortable being in that building, just from experience,” Maas said. “A number of them will feel good walking into that building. You have to walk into that building believing you’re going to come out victorious. I assure you we’ll go into that building with a smile on our face.”
hzurkowsky@postmedia.com
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