The Montreal Alouettes take their first main step in direction of securing back-to-back Gray Cup titles on Saturday after they host the Toronto Argonauts.
This yr’s Jap Remaining shall be a rematch of final yr, when the Alouettes went on the street to knock off Toronto 38-17.
You possibly can watch the Alouettes conflict with the Argonauts LIVE on TSN1/4/5, TSN.ca and the TSN App, with protection beginning at 3 p.m. ET / Midday PT.
Alouettes head coach Jason Maas is attempting to deal with this as simply one other week of preparation.
“For us it is simply one other sport, however we attempt to construction our constructing to the place we compete each single week,” Maas stated on The Morning Present on TSN 690 on Wednesday.
“We discuss stress lots as simply huge moments: How do you play? Are you able to make the large play? I feel we attempt to put ourselves within the second each single day we’re in our constructing, so the lead-up to a giant sport like this, which is the most important sport of the yr, goes again to that pleasure of competing and enjoying collectively.”
Alouettes, Argonauts swap roles
The Alouettes had a sluggish begin to the season in 2023, however an sudden eight-game profitable streak culminated in a Gray Cup title.
Toronto is now wanting to make use of the identical path to a championship, as wins in three of their ultimate 4 regular-season video games secured residence subject benefit within the Jap Semifinal, which they used to trounce the Ottawa Redblacks 58-38.
“I feel our guys are totally conscious of the state of affairs from final yr of what we did and achieved, happening the street, being a sizzling group down the stretch,” Maas stated.
He is attempting to make use of the function reversal as a motivator for his squad.
“It is all coming to this one second, and the truth that they’re sizzling is all the higher for it, as a result of which means it should be a grind, and we get that,” Maas stated. “So, we’re welcoming that and we’re enthusiastic about that chance.”
Can Toronto’s high-powered offence be slowed?
The Argonauts completed greatest within the CFL with 28.6 factors scored per sport, and their 58-point outburst in opposition to the Redblacks bolstered how harmful their offence will be.
“They seem to be a very explosive offence. Chad Kelly’s achieved an excellent job main it since he is been again, they’ve weapons far and wide,” stated Maas.
“[Running back] Ka’Deem Carey – it begins with him. They seem to be a group that may run the ball very properly, and it exposes different areas once you attempt to cease it. It is an excellent problem for our defence.”
The Argonauts received the regular-season collection in opposition to the Alouettes – the one group within the CFL to take action. Montreal received the opener 30-20 on June 28, however Toronto’s offence was dominant within the two following conferences, placing up 37 factors in wins in July and September.
Carey was particularly constant, as he totalled 38 carries for 245 yards and a landing throughout their three matchups, including 92 yards receiving as properly.
Seeking to full the grind
Maas has acknowledged that after final yr’s title, which is now being known as “The Nice Eight” within the constructing for the franchise’s eighth Gray Cup, the mantra for this season is “Grind for 9.”
“We had an excellent group final yr, and numerous these guys are again, nevertheless it was about grinding for 9 this yr with the fellows on this constructing,” Maas stated.
“We have by no means shied away from what our objective is: Grind for 9. We wished to try this with a brand new group, as a result of every group is exclusive and totally different, and I feel this group’s written a good looking chapter that is good proper now, nevertheless it’s gotta be nice going all the best way.”
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers technically repeated as Gray Cup champions in 2019 and 2021, because the 2020 season was cancelled because of the pandemic, however the final true repeat champions had been the Alouettes in 2009-10.
Maas has been anticipating this for some time, and now he appears to place all the required work in to make it occur.
“It has been circled on our schedule for fairly a while, I’d say going all the best way again to coaching camp. We have been speaking about that since November 20 of final yr,” he stated.
“Each single second, minute, hour counts. A grind does not shut off, it is fixed, that is been a key phrase that we prefer to say, and that is been good for us.”
