SPECIAL COLLABORATION
The Alouettes’ regular season ended in spectacular fashion last Saturday, during an intense duel against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
With a record of 12 wins, 5 losses and 1 draw – the best in the circuit – the Montreal team is approaching the playoffs with a good dose of confidence. The next step? The East Division final, which will take place at Percival Molson Stadium on Saturday, November 9, is a game we are all looking forward to.
Despite a more mixed finish, the Alouettes achieved their main objective: dominating their section. Their success is largely explained by the defense, marked by tenacity under the leadership of Noel Thorpe. The linebacker duo Tyrice Beverrette and Darnell Sankey have established themselves as the heart of this unit, inspiring their teammates with their energy and consistency. Montreal’s defense shone throughout the season, managing to compensate for the occasional sluggishness of the attack by injecting the spark necessary to snatch victories.
Shawn Lemon’s suspension was a major blow to the defensive line’s production. She was less constant in her pressure on opposing quarterbacks and struggled to dictate the tone of the matches. It should be noted that Thorpe’s frequent strategy of using a front 30 (three linemen) was intended to reduce explosive plays, which worked well. However, it will be necessary to vary these approaches in order not to be run over in the playoffs.
In the tertiary, the group was able to limit big opposing plays and excelled in aerial coverage. Special mention to Kabion Ento who particularly excelled at the cornerback position, showing himself to be uncompromising and consistent, a valuable element for this defense.
The season ends for the Alouettes defense with impressive statistics:
– 21 points conceded per match (2nd rank)
– 6.32 yards allowed per play (1st)
– 267.1 air yards allowed per game (2nd)
– 17 touchdown passes allowed (1st)
– 14 passes of more than 30 yards allowed (1st)
In attack, Cody Fajardo was solid, without being flamboyant. He has the best pass completion rate in the league (73.6%) and the lowest rate of interceptions per pass attempt (1.9%). Even if his end of the season left some doubts, his performance against Winnipeg reassured before the playoffs. To hope for a victory on November 9, the Alouettes will, however, need Fajardo for the months of June and July.
The revelation of this season remains young quarterback Davis Alexander. With four victories in as many starts, he stood out for his athletic qualities and his ability to use his legs to create opportunities. A rise which already raises the question of the starter at quarterback in 2025.
In the backfield, Walter Fletcher was able to make a difference when given the chance, finishing the year with 764 rushing yards and four touchdowns. His versatility was revealed through the air with 71 receptions for 682 yards. This allowed Jason Maas to fully integrate him into each meeting, despite reduced use of the ground game.
On the receiving side, injuries weighed heavily. Tyson Philpot, who dominated before his injury, was sorely missed in attack, but the entire group showed heart and consistency. Among the top receivers, only Cole Spieker and Charleston Rambo were able to play in the team’s 18 games. It is still a solid group that can be proud of the work accomplished in 2024.
As for the offensive line, despite criticism regarding the sacks allowed and the ground game, the Callender-Lestage duo on the left offered good performances. The right side, on the other hand, will have to tighten up for the playoffs.
Finally, the special teams, led by Byron Archambault, also contributed to the success of the Alouettes. With an average success rate of 91.7%, replacement kicker Jose Maltos was able to replace David Côté brilliantly. James Letcher has established himself as one of the best on the circuit. He finished the season with an average of 14.2 yards/return on punts (2nd rank – CFL) and 23.7 yards/return on kickoffs (4th rank – CFL).
With a record of 12-5-1 and an Eastern final at home, the 2024 Alouettes can be proud of their journey. The question now remains whether this team will be able to crown its season with success similar to that of last year. A challenge worthy of this team which, despite injuries and challenges, has proven that it knows how to win.
