CFL Preview - Montreal (2-0) at Saskatchewan (2-0)
From The Sports Network
By Ted Michaels, CFL Editor
DATE & TIME: Friday, July 4, 9:30 p.m. (et).
GAME NOTES: The defending Grey Cup champion Alouettes are playing their first game since they ended a two-game Western road trip on June 21 with a win over the Edmonton Eskimos in a Grey Cup rematch, 34-16.
The Als showed why they are the champs, with a total team effort. Offensively, QB Anthony Calvillo completed 20-of-36 passes for 316 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions. Slotback Ben Cahoon, the BYU grad, was the top target for Calvillo, with six catches, one of which was for a touchdown, for a total of 116 yards. The ground game wasn't a huge factor in the win, garnering a a total of 35 yards.
Special teams, a source of pride for head coach Don Matthews, were very good in the win over Edmonton. Kick returner Donta Greene racked up 182 yards on eight punt returns, and, had a 67-yard dash called back. In total, Montreal had 214 total return yards, and that mark could rise in the next week. Keith Stokes, the East Division's outstanding rookie and special-teams player last year, was released by Miami Dolphins recently. He accumulated 2,334 all-purpose yards, and scored six touchdowns on punt and kick-off returns. The Als say that there is room for both Stokes and Green on the roster. If that's the case, the possibilities are frightening.
The big story in the win, though, was the play of Montreal's defense. They applied pressure to the Edmonton offensive line all night, getting five sacks, allowing just 36 yards rushing, and a total offensive output of 308 yards.
The Roughriders' home-opener against the BC Lions last Saturday was successful, with the Riders scoring a 32-30 win. The Riders, who last year led the CFL in rushing, used the running game to perfection in the win. They ran for 218 yards, and quarterback Nealon Greene passed for the same amount of yards. Greene, who at times was criticized for not running himself to open up the offense, silenced the critics, gaining 77 carries on 12 yards. Sedrick Shaw was the big ball carrier for Saskatchewan, with 92 yards on 14 carries, including a 27 yard TD dash.
Here's an indication of how balanced the Riders' offense was. In the first quarter, they rushed nine times, and passed nine more, for a total of 14 yards, and in the process, had the ball for 10:48. In the third quarter, when BC had the advantage of a strong wind, the Riders kept the ball away from BC, scoring a field goal after a 78-yard drive, then, getting another major that ended a 75 yard-drive. In that pivotal third quarter, BC managed no first downs.
On the night, Greene completed 22 of 30 attempts, including a touchdown. The big target was former Stampeder Travis Moore, who had 7 catches for 77 yards. And, the defense also played well, with five sacks, a key interception late in the game to quash a Lions' comeback, and just 284 yards of total offense allowed.
As far as injuries for Montreal, wide receiver Sylvain Girard, who has been fighting leg injuries, should make his first start of the year. For Saskatchewan, receiver/returner Corey Holmes and DB Omar Morgan are still questionable.
The numbers: in the last 10 regular season games, Montreal has won nine. In the last five years at Taylor Field, the Als are a perfect 5-0. And, Montreal has won its first three games of the regular season for the last six years.
Keys to the game: the old adage in football goes like this: defense wins championships. Already this year, in 25 defensive categories, Montreal leads in eight of them, including average yards rushing per game, 40.5. Keep in mind, in all of last year, no team ever ran for more than 100 yards in a game against the Als' defense. The Riders proudly point to the fact that they can run the ball, and after two games, lead the league in average yards rushing per game at 158.5. If the Riders can't establish the run, and if Greene can't take off with the ball, it plays into Montreal's hands. Yes, Saskatchewan ran the ball effectively against BC. But, BC is still trying to find its identity, while Montreal know's its identity -- the best team in the league. Saskatchewan fans will find out just how good this team is against the champs. The answer? Not yet good enough.
Sports Network predicted outcome: Montreal 31, Saskatchewan 24.
