Latest news with #MontrealAlouettes
National Post
a day ago
- Sport
- National Post
Looking at the Calgary Stampeders' special start to the season
Those pundits who foreshadowed doom and gloom over the first third of the 2025 Calgary Stampeders schedule are likely scratching their tall foreheads these days … Article content With good reason. Article content It wasn't supposed to play out this well for the Stampeders after two lousy ones amounting to just 11 wins in 36 games. Even the most optimistic fan of the Red and White couldn't have predicted such a sensational start to the year. Article content Especially given what the early-season calendar looked like for a team in massive transition. Article content Thinking back on what has been a 5-1 start to the Canadian Football League campaign under the circumstances, it truly has been phenomenal. Article content But don't tell that to the Stampeders, who remain tunnel-visioned in a commitment to steer clear from over-confidence. Article content 'No reason for us (to get over-confident),' said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson. 'You'll get humbled quickly. The key is just don't read too much into when it's bad or when it's good. Article content 'You just try to understand why you're winning, what's helping you succeed and just try to put the foot on the gas just a little bit more each and every week. Article content 'I think our guys can do that.' Article content They'll run with that gameplan again this Thursday, when the 4-2 Montreal Alouettes — the Stamps' fourth straight foe with a winning record — visit McMahon Stadium (7 p.m., TSN, CHQR 770 AM/107.3 FM the Edge), knowing full well they can't rest on their laurels. Article content Article content 'We don't look too far forward, and unfortunately, you really only look back when you're done,' added Dickenson. 'I just think we've got to get better. I think our energy has been good — we've shown up to play every week. We have continually gotten better. Article content 'So that's something that as a team we've got to continue to do.' Article content Article content Let's look back at that, recognizing the adversity they've overcome. Article content • The Week 1 game brought the return of Stampeders legend Bo Levi Mitchell looking to avenge last year's first loss in another uniform at McMahon, with the Red and White themselves fresh off a significant overhaul of the roster in the off-season. Article content A surprisingly convincing win. Article content • The Week 2 affair took them away for their first road contest of the season — another tough first for a still-finding-itself crew — against the defending Grey Cup-champion Toronto Argonauts.
Toronto Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Grey Cup odds and 2025 CFL betting favourites: Alouettes top board as Davis Alexander returns
The Montreal Alouettes remain atop the Grey Cup odds board despite suffering back-to-back losses. The latest: No undefeated teams remain in the CFL after the Saskatchewan Roughriders were toppled by the Calgary Stampeders in Week 6. Both of those squads slot in at under 10-to-1, as do the Toronto Argonauts, who are expected to get Chad Kelly back sooner rather than later.
Toronto Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Alexander, Alouettes stage late comeback for 26-25 win over Argonauts
Published Jul 17, 2025 • 3 minute read Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander throws the ball during first half CFL action against the Toronto Argonauts in Montreal on July 17, 2025. Photo by Christopher Katsarov / The Canadian Press MONTREAL — Davis Alexander ran for a 10-yard touchdown with 1:46 remaining as the Montreal Alouettes rallied for a 26-25 win over the Toronto Argonauts on Thursday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Alouettes quarterback improved to 8-0 as a starter, matching Danny McManus's CFL record of eight straight victories to begin a career. Alexander initially showed rust with a costly interception in his return from missing two games with a hamstring injury, but bounced back for 303 passing yards, one passing touchdown and his game-winning score for Montreal (4-2), which had lost two in a row without him. However, he appeared to aggravate the hamstring injury on his touchdown run. The Alouettes trailed 25-7 before they started a comeback late in the third quarter. Cole Spieker and Sean Thomas-Erlington also scored touchdowns, while Jose Maltos kicked two field goals and Joseph Zema added a single before 19,354 at Molson Stadium after a rainy day in Montreal. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Nick Arbuckle threw two touchdown passes and one interception, going for 242 yards in his sixth consecutive start for defending champion Toronto (1-5) while 2023 outstanding player Chad Kelly remained injured. Damonte Coxie, Deonta McMahon and David Ungerer III scored touchdowns for Toronto. Lirim Hajrullahu kicked a 45-yard field goal while John Haggerty added a single. The Alouettes claimed the season series after winning 28-10 over the Argos on June 6. The East Division rivals meet for one more regular-season matchup Sept. 19 at BMO Field. Toronto took a 25-7 lead six minutes into the third quarter when Arbuckle found Ungerer alone with a 14-yard end-zone pass, capping a 76-yard drive. Late in the quarter, the Alouettes responded with their first touchdown off a gutsy play on third down as Spieker hauled down Alexander's 10-yard pass for a score, cutting Toronto's advantage to 25-14. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Spieker then caught the ball and ran for a 38-yard gain in the fourth quarter before Thomas-Erlington rushed three yards into the end zone to make it 25-20. Montreal missed the two-point conversion. Then came a number of momentum swings. On Montreal's next possession, Alexander fooled the Argos defence with some play action and found Spieker for a 47-yard reception. Spieker, however, fumbled the ball just before crossing into the end zone. Arbuckle then fumbled the ball at the Toronto 21 after a sack from Lwal Uguak, leading to a 10-yard TD rush from Alexander, who injured himself on the play. The Alouettes took a 26-25 lead with 1:46 remaining after another missed two-point conversion, but Kabion Ento sealed the win with an interception. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The first half featured a slow opening 20 minutes for both offences, but Toronto finally broke into the end zone twice in a short span in the second quarter. Arbuckle hit Coxie on a five-yard TD strike with 5:16 remaining in the first half, capping a 10-play, 70-yard drive in which the quarterback completed passes to four different receivers. On the ensuing drive, Toronto defensive back Tarvarus McFadden picked off Alexander and returned the ball 38 yards to the Montreal 15, setting up McMahon's two-yard run for a score as the Argos took a commanding 18-4 lead with 2:46 left. A second Maltos field goal cut it to 18-7 before halftime. Neither side reached the red zone in the first quarter. The Alouettes — who didn't run the ball until 2:40 remained in the second quarter — totalled only 142 yards in net offence in the opening half. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Their best chance at a touchdown came four minutes into the second quarter when Alexander tried to create some magic with a deep ball to Austin Mack, but McFadden broke up the pass. NOTES Alouettes receiver Tyson Philpot was a late scratch due to a knee injury. Daniel Oladejo took his place in the lineup … Montreal signed veteran defensive lineman Shawn Lemon to a contract through the rest of the season before kickoff. The CFL reinstated Lemon from a gambling suspension Wednesday. The 36-year-old still needed to serve a two-game suspension after testing positive for a banned appetite suppressant. UP NEXT Alouettes: Visit the Calgary Stampeders next Thursday. Argos: Host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on July 26. Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA Tennis MMA Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Davis Alexander returns, Chad Kelly remains out as Alouettes host Argos
Published Jul 16, 2025 • 4 minute read Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander runs with the ball during first half CFL action against the Toronto Argonauts, in Montreal on June 6, 2025. Photo by Christopher Katsarov / The Canadian Press MONTREAL — The Montreal Alouettes want to bring their two-game skid to a halt. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Welcoming back a quarterback who does nothing but win should only help. Davis Alexander returns from a hamstring injury with a chance to improve his CFL record to 8-0 on Thursday against the Toronto Argonauts. 'He gives everybody juice,' head coach Jason Maas said Wednesday at Olympic Stadium. 'He's led our football team from the moment we assigned him as the starter. 'He's a tremendous leader, tremendous player. We're excited to have him back.' Maas also emphasized he doesn't expect the 26-year-old to be a saviour. 'It's more than a one-man show,' he said. 'Davis is a piece of our football team, he's an important piece of the football team, but he's also a one piece, so everybody collectively around him needs to play well.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Alouettes (3-2) opened the season on a 3-0 run with Alexander behind centre, only to falter with back-to-back defeats against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and B.C. Lions with backup McLeod Bethel-Thompson leading the offence. The Ticats ran over Montreal 35-17 in Hamilton before the Lions sunk the Alouettes with a last-second field goal to win 21-20 at Molson Stadium in Week 5. Now the Alouettes — tied with Hamilton atop the East — will try to get back on track against a team they've already beaten handily this season. Montreal defeated Toronto 28-10 to open the 2025 campaign. The Alouettes and Argos (1-4), both coming off bye weeks, play once more at BMO Field on Sept. 19, meaning Montreal would secure the season series with a win Thursday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We try and treat every game the same (but) I'd be lying if I said this one isn't a little different because it is Toronto. It's a divisional rival,' Alexander said. 'They don't like us. We don't like them.' The five-foot-11, 210-pound Alexander surged from third-string QB to face of the franchise after leading Montreal to four wins as a starter — and another comeback off the bench — while '23 Grey Cup MVP Cody Fajardo missed time last season. So far this year, Alexander has thrown for 803 passing yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 75.6 per cent of his attempts. Alexander was 20-for-24 for 254 yards and three TDs in a stellar first half before exiting Week 3's win over Edmonton. He'll try to match CFL great Danny McManus with a record eight straight victories to begin his Canadian career on Thursday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It's a very cool thing,' Alexander said. 'I would love to have the record, but to me, it is most important to get back on track, 1-0.' As Alexander returns, the Argos will have to wait at least another week before their franchise quarterback makes his season debut. Former CFL outstanding player Chad Kelly remains out after suffering a serious leg injury in last year's East Division final against Montreal. Nick Arbuckle, last year's Grey Cup hero after Kelly went down, will start in his sixth straight outing as the Argos desperately seek a win. The 31-year-old Arbuckle has thrown for seven touchdowns and 1,449 yards on 71.8 per cent passing, but has also been picked off seven times. 'Big game. They all are,' Argos head coach Ryan Dinwiddie told reporters in Toronto. 'But obviously 1-4, the games get bigger. Especially an Eastern team, right? Montreal's a few games up on us, so it's a big game. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Our work ethic has been great, we just haven't been executing that well. Early in the season you have some growing pains, too many for us right now.' Wide receiver Austin Mack (hamstring) and offensive lineman Nick Callender (foot) are also returning to the Alouettes lineup, while wideout Tyson Philpot was listed as a game-time decision after leaving practice early Tuesday. Reigning top CFL lineman Ryan Hunter (shoulder), linebacker Jack Cassar (adductor) and running back Miyan Williams (head) are out for the Argos. Toronto, however, will get a boost from the return of star linebacker Wynton McManis, who missed the past three games. Running back Deonta McMahon and defensive lineman Derek Parish, who both missed time with ankle injuries, are also available. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. McManis, a two-time CFL all-star, believes the Argos' winning culture will help lift the defending champs out of their slump. 'No one around here feels like a loser, no one around here has a loser mentality, none of us feel 1-4,' he said. 'We just know we have to have urgency. 'None of us feel like we're a bad team and things like that, just some things we gotta clean up and we understand that.' The Alouettes, meanwhile, don't view the Argos as a 1-4 team either. 'They're a better team than what they showed on tape,' linebacker Darnell Sankey said. 'We're expecting them to come out here and give us everything they got.' Celebrity Toronto Maple Leafs World NFL Toronto & GTA
National Post
6 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Davis Alexander returns, Chad Kelly remains out as Alouettes host Argos
MONTREAL — The Montreal Alouettes want to bring their two-game skid to a halt. Article content Welcoming back a quarterback who does nothing but win should only help. Article content Article content Davis Alexander returns from a hamstring injury with a chance to improve his CFL record to 8-0 on Thursday against the Toronto Argonauts. Article content 'He gives everybody juice,' head coach Jason Maas said Wednesday at Olympic Stadium. 'He's led our football team from the moment we assigned him as the starter. Article content 'He's a tremendous leader, tremendous player. We're excited to have him back.' Article content Maas also emphasized he doesn't expect the 26-year-old to be a saviour. Article content 'It's more than a one-man show,' he said. 'Davis is a piece of our football team, he's an important piece of the football team, but he's also a one piece, so everybody collectively around him needs to play well.' Article content The Alouettes (3-2) opened the season on a 3-0 run with Alexander behind centre, only to falter with back-to-back defeats against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and B.C. Lions with backup McLeod Bethel-Thompson leading the offence. Article content The Ticats ran over Montreal 35-17 in Hamilton before the Lions sunk the Alouettes with a last-second field goal to win 21-20 at Molson Stadium in Week 5. Article content Now the Alouettes — tied with Hamilton atop the East — will try to get back on track against a team they've already beaten handily this season. Article content Montreal defeated Toronto 28-10 to open the 2025 campaign. The Alouettes and Argos (1-4), both coming off bye weeks, play once more at BMO Field on Sept. 19, meaning Montreal would secure the season series with a win Thursday. Article content Article content 'We try and treat every game the same (but) I'd be lying if I said this one isn't a little different because it is Toronto. It's a divisional rival,' Alexander said. 'They don't like us. We don't like them.' Article content The five-foot-11, 210-pound Alexander surged from third-string QB to face of the franchise after leading Montreal to four wins as a starter — and another comeback off the bench — while '23 Grey Cup MVP Cody Fajardo missed time last season. Article content So far this year, Alexander has thrown for 803 passing yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 75.6 per cent of his attempts. Alexander was 20-for-24 for 254 yards and three TDs in a stellar first half before exiting Week 3's win over Edmonton. Article content He'll try to match CFL great Danny McManus with a record eight straight victories to begin his Canadian career on Thursday. Article content 'It's a very cool thing,' Alexander said. 'I would love to have the record, but to me, it is most important to get back on track, 1-0.'
