Lions, Als open up CFL Week 14 on Friday Night Football
MONTREAL — The BC Lions head east to go to the Montreal Alouettes for Friday Evening Soccer.
A win for BC would transfer them into first place within the tightly contested West Division, whereas Montreal can prolong its East Division lead with a house victory. The Als go into the sport with out star receiver Austin Mack, who was positioned on the six-game injured checklist on Thursday.
The Lions’ five-game dropping streak was put firmly within the rearview mirror after a convincing 38-12 victory over the Ottawa REDBLACKS within the Landing Pacific sport in Victoria, B.C. on OK Tire Labour Day Weekend.
Quarterback Nathan Rourke had loads to do with that win and can attempt to make it consecutive robust performances after throwing for 325 yards and three touchdowns.
To do it, he’ll must handle one of many league’s prime go defences that’s had an additional week of relaxation after a Week 13 bye.
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Limiting yards via the air has been the forte of a secondary led by veteran Marc-Antoine Dequoy.
Dequoy, together with Kabion Ento and Dionte Ruffin, have helped maintain opposing offences to 249.1 passing yards per sport.
Rourke’s capacity to unfold the sphere shall be key to the Lions’ offensive success. As he has all season, Justin McInnis leads the corps of receivers and is the one participant within the league to surpass 1,000 receiving yards with 1,026. With Ayden Eberhardt taking over a bigger position over the previous a number of video games and the playmaking capacity of Keon Hatcher and Alexander Hollins at all times posing a risk, they’re as outfitted as anybody to search out open house downfield.
Whereas assured, Rourke and the remainder of the Lions’ offence is aware of the robust problem they’re about to face in an aggressive Als’ defence.
“They’re rather well coached,” Rourke informed reporters.
“They fly round, they do a whole lot of various things. They’re very proficient in a whole lot of totally different areas. We’re going to have to have the ability to take what they offer us and put some drives collectively as a result of that offence is explosive, as nicely.”
Operating again William Stanback offers an elite secondary choice within the play calling of offensive coordinator Jordan Maksymic. With 93 yards towards the REDBLACKS, Stanback has now rushed for 87, 100, 99 and 93 yards in his previous 4 video games and sits 41 yards behind league chief Brady Oliveira, with 810 on the season.
Campbell shouldn’t hesitate to present Stanback the ball towards an Als’ entrance seven that’s surrendering 105.5 yards per contest.
It’ll be on the shoulders of linebackers Tyrice Beverette and Darnell Sankey to include the run, because the pair have totalled 127 defensive tackles.
Main the Als’ offence shall be Cody Fajardo in his second sport again from a hamstring harm. Regardless of Mack’s sudden harm, he’ll stiill have a set of dynamic receivers placing up spectacular performances.
Even with out Mack and Tyson Philpot, Charleston Rambo and Cole Spieker have stored the Als’ offensive machine buzzing alongside. Spieker pulled down 107 yards within the Als’ win over Edmonton in Week 12 and Rambo has been one of many larger surprises league large with 599 yards on the season. Jose Barbon is available in off the observe roster within the wake of Mack’s transfer to the injured checklist.
The Lion’s go defence has been fulled by the play of Emmanual Rugamba and Garry Peters downfield, with T.J. Lee at linebacker. They held Dru Brown to 206 passing yards final week, regardless of averaging 298.7 towards of their earlier 11 video games.
The defence shall be put to a unique form of take a look at with operating again Walter Fletcher although, as Jason Maas is simply as apt to make use of him within the go sport as he’s with the run. Via 11 video games, he has 483 speeding yards and 461 via the air.
Within the Lions’ entrance, Fajardo and Fletcher have to be cognizant of Mathieu Betts as he’ll have had a full week of observe and is thought for his expertise as a go rusher. That’s to not point out Christian Covington and Juliano Falaniko who had a sack and a compelled fumble towards Ottawa.
Betts, a former Laval Rouge et Or, was glad along with his first sport given the circumstances that surrounded it however says the Als pose a unique problem than different groups across the league.
“We’re transferring on to Montreal, a brief week for us however it’s going to be enjoyable,” Betts informed reporters.
“They’re doing issues a bit bit in another way than the opposite CFL offences, so it’s problem for us however on the finish of the day it comes right down to execution, enjoying quick, being bodily and hopefully good issues will observe.”
Regardless of a 6-6 report, BC nonetheless has first within the West Division nicely inside view.
Montreal can proceed to run away with the East with a victory.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET from Percival Molson Memorial Stadium. Followers can watch on TSN and RDS in Canada, whereas American viewers can catch the sport on CBS Sports activities Community. Worldwide viewers will discover the sport on CFL+.