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How will QB Davis Alexander's hamstring hold up against a stout Roughriders defence and can Als contain Trevor Harris and A.J. Ouellette?
Published Nov 12, 2025 • 4 minute read
Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander (10) runs the ball during first half CFL eastern final football action against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, in Hamilton, Ont., Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025.
The Alouettes are simply a different team with quarterback Davis Alexander running the offence. Photo by Frank Gunn /THE CANADIAN PRESS
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The Alouettes are going to their second Grey Cup in three seasons and might have been in the midst of a dynasty had they held onto the ball in last season’s East Division final against Toronto.
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That’s called a feast.
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The Saskatchewan Roughriders, meanwhile, haven’t played in the CFL’s title game since 2013, when they defeated Hamilton — the Tiger-Cats always lose — at home.
That’s called a famine.
The Riders (12-6) finished first in the West, defeated B.C. in the West Division final, and were installed as 3.5-point favourites to begin the week. The Als (10-8) finished second in the East, defeated Winnipeg and the Ticats in the playoffs, and have won seven of their last eight.
It has been 15 years since these teams met in the Grey Cup, with Montreal defeating Saskatchewan in 2009 and again the next season. Those games were exciting, decided by one and three points, respectively. Hopefully, Sunday’s game in Winnipeg (6 p.m., CTV, TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5, RDS) will be just as good.
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Here are some questions and thoughts to ponder in the coming days:
How close will Davis Alexander be to 100 per cent? That has been the question du jour after Alexander, for the third time this season, re-injured his left hamstring in the fourth quarter of the division final. He continued playing against Hamilton and won the 13th consecutive game — ninth this season — of his career.
There’s no denying the Als’ chances hinge on Alexander’s mobility and pain threshold. He’s competitive, has a swagger to him and motivates his teammates. Montreal simply isn’t the same team without him. He has been receiving numerous treatments this week and is expected to play. But if he’s forced to scramble, which is inevitable, then what?
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Can the old guy do it? The sun is close to setting on the career of Saskatchewan quarterback Trevor Harris, 39, and a Grey Cup victory — his first as a starter — would cement his legacy. Harris, who played for the Als in 2021 and ’22, passed for 4,549 yards with 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. So, he remains efficient and accurate. His 73.6 completion percentage was the CFL’s best. That included 53.8 per cent on passes of more than 20 yards (the CFL average was 44.3 per cent).
Will the Als be able to get to Harris? CFL clubs are mandated to start seven Canadians, and the majority stack their offensive lines with non-imports. But Saskatchewan has bucked that trend, starting only one — centre Logan Ferland. One of the imports, right-tackle Jermarcus Hardrick, probably will be named the league’s outstanding offensive lineman. The Riders allowed only 26 sacks this season, as did Montreal, and none in the division final. But the Als did have 45 sacks this season, tied with B.C. for the league high.
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Alouettes safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy sports a Samuel Montembeault sweater as the team arrives in Winnipeg on Monday for the Grey Cup.
Alouettes safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy sports a Samuel Montembeault sweater as the team arrives in Winnipeg on Monday for the Grey Cup. Photo by David Lipnowski /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Poor track record: There’s no explanation for the Riders’ 4-15 Grey Cup record dating to 1923. Any team that had QB Ron Lancaster and RB George Reed shouldn’t suck this badly.
They suck less: The Als’ 8-11 Cup record is only marginally better, especially when you consider it was 5-11 before 2009. At least Montreal can boast it has won its last three. But during an 11-year period, starting in 2000, the Als made it to the Cup eight times, yet won only three of those with Anthony Calvillo at quarterback. Had Saskatchewan been able to count in 2009, it would be two victories.
Rallying cry: Former Als QB Cody Fajardo became an instant rock star in 2023 with his now famous “f— you, just watch” message to his teammates on Saturday. We suspect the animated Alexander will have something equally as memorable to say to his troops.
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Riverboat gambler: Saskatchewan’s Corey Mace, going to his first Cup as a head coach, had people shaking their heads in disbelief last week with his late-game decisions. He elected to kick a short field goal with under three minutes left and his team trailing by seven points. Then, with 1:42 left, he didn’t gamble on third-and-10 from his 36, displaying supreme confidence his defence would stop B.C. And it did. Harris rewarded his coach’s belief, moving the team 76 yards in 52 seconds while completing six of seven passes, including the game-winning touchdown to receiver Tommy Nield.
How do you stop a tank? A.J. Ouellette, a 5-foot-8 and 208-pounder, gets stronger as the game progresses. He gained 113 yards on 17 carries against B.C. But the Als did as well as could be expected against him this season, holding him to under 100 yards both times. Ouellette’s going to get his yards, but the Als need to limit the damage.
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What happens if the game comes down to a kick? Montreal’s Jose Maltos set a franchise record with 58 field goals. He kicked four more last week, including the 45-yard game-winner on the final play. This guy has ice running through his veins. While Brett Lauther made all three of his attempts against B.C., he connected on only 39 of 54 attempts (72.2 per cent) this season, including a 59-yarder.
And it might: Will the Als be able to score touchdowns against a team that was No. 1 against the rush, had 24 interceptions and allowed the fewest points?
If you’re going to wear a Canadiens sweater … Als safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy could have chosen Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki or even Ivan Demidov. Instead, when the team landed in Winnipeg on Monday, he was sporting a Samuel Montembeault jersey. In nine games this season, Montembeault is 4-4-1 with a 3.52 goals-against average and an .861 save percentage. In Tuesday’s loss to Los Angeles, he allowed four goals on 25 shots (.840). Could this be a bad omen?
hzurkowsky@postmedia.com
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2. [Alouettes teammates hoist kicker Jose Maltos Diaz after he made the game winning field goal against the Tiger-Cats to win the CFL Eastern final in Hamilton on Saturday.
Team culture is key ingredient in Alouettes' ride to Grey Cup, GM says](https://montrealgazette.com/sports/football/team-culture-is-key-ingredient-in-alouettes-ride-to-grey-cup-gm-says)
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