ROSTER | GAME NOTES | TORONTO DEPTH CHART (print version) | MONTREAL ROSTER | VIDEO: DON MATTHEWS PRE-GAME PRESS CONFERENCE (coming soon)
Opponent: Montreal Alouettes
Date: Friday, October 18, 2008
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
Location: Rogers Centre
Television: TSN/TSNHD
Radio:FAN590/FAN590.com/SIRIUS
Last Meeting: September 7, 2008 – Toronto 19 @ Montreal 45
Records: Toronto (4-11); Montreal (10-5)
Toronto Injuries: LB Jean-Nicolas Carrier, RB Dominique Dorsey, RB Tyler Ebell, LB Kevin Eiben, LB Michael Fletcher, DB Chris Hardy, LB Chuck Winters, OT Jonta Woodard.
Montreal Injuries: DS Etienne Boulay, RB Avon Cobourne, DB Randee Drew, DB Jesse Hendrix, DT Jeff Keeping, QB Chris Leak, OT Skip Seagraves, WR Dave Stala, WR Elijah Thurmon, FB Mike Vilimek, DB Gemara Williams.
Starting Quarterbacks: TOR – #4 Kerry Joseph; Montreal – #13 Anthony Calvillo
What to Look For:
This will be Head Coach Don Matthews’ first game against his former team since returning to
the CFL. This will also be the first time he has coached a game against Montreal since 2000
when he was in Edmonton.
The Argonauts’ defence appears to be returning to its familiar pass-stopping ways. Over the last
four games, Toronto has allowed opposing starting quarterbacks to throw for an average of just
204.8 yards/game.
21 of the past 24 regular season match-ups between Toronto and Montreal have been decided
by 7 or more points. 11 of the past 24 regular season contests between the two clubs have been
decided by at least 20 points.
The team leading after the first half has won 11 of the past 12 contests between these two
clubs.
Arland Bruce III is 18 receiving yards from becoming the first Argos receiver since 2006 (also
Arland Bruce, 1,370) to catch for 1,000 yards in a season.
Toronto-native Andre Talbot has already set a new career-high for receptions in a season and
needs just 123 receiving yards over the next three games to set a new personal single-season
receiving yards mark.
RB Jamal Roberston now has 7 touchdowns on the season, which is good for fourth-most by a
single player in the East Division. His 6 rushing touchdowns are the most by an Argos
running back since Michael Jenkins scored six in 2003.
Preview:
After getting edged out by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers last week, the Argos will look to keep their playoff hopes alive as they take on the East Division-leading Montreal Alouettes at Rogers Centre on Saturday afternoon.
The Argos playoff prospects rest on the ability for them to win their final three games of the season and will hope to get help from Calgary, Montreal and Hamilton who all have to beat Winnipeg in order for the Boatmen to see the post-season.
The Argos are facing a potent Montreal offence that leads the CFL in numerous categories. However, the Argos defence seems to be rounding back into form, shutting down the passing game, led by DB Jason Shivers as well as sustaining pressure on the quarterback with a defensive line that is arguably playing its strongest football over the last three games.
The rotating team of DT Adriano Belli, DE Jonathan Brown, DT Walter Curry and DE Claude Harriott have truly come together as a unit and often forced quarterbacks to throw ill-advised passes under pressure.
Offensively, QB Kerry Joseph will once again control the Argos attack and the first-year Argo seems to have built up quite the chemistry with newcomer WR P.K. Sam. Last game, Sam led the Argos aerial attack, generating a career-high 145 yards receiving. Kerry also experienced his best game statistically as an Argo completing more than 70% of his passes for 318 yards.
The Argos will make two roster changes from last week with WR Obed Cétoute and OT Jerome Davis returning to the 46-man roster while linebackers Kevin Eiben and J.N. Carrier have been placed on the injured list with foot and ankle injuries respectively.
Kickoff is at 3:00 p.m. at Rogers Centre on Saturday and fans are encouraged to come down early and experience the tailgate as well contribute to the Purolator Tackle Hunger initiative. Those who donate non-perishable food items or monetary contributions towards the food drive will have the opportunity to get their picture taken with the Grey Cup and will be automatically entered into a draw to win a Kerry Joseph signed jersey.
For tickets, call 416-872-5000 or click here to purchase online.