The Toronto Argonauts say they can feel the belief building in their team, and that faith will get a pivotal test Friday night when they visit the Montreal Alouettes with first place in the East Division on the line.
Each team is on a three-game winning streak, and the Alouettes (5-4) will be out to move into a first-place tie with the Argonauts (6-3). The Argonauts defeated the Alouettes by three points Sept. 24 at Toronto.
As for belief, Argonauts coach Ryan Dinwiddie referred to his team’s most recent game, a comeback 24-23 road win Oct. 11 over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on a game-ending 51-yard field goal by Boris Bede.
“You can feel it on the sidelines,” Dinwiddie said. “That was the biggest thing. The guys kept that belief and they found a way to get it done.
“The fact they believed they were going to get it done always helps out in the execution part of getting it done. As soon as guys are dropping their heads, doubt sets in and you know they’re not going to play well.”
McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who has been the quarterback for the length of the winning streak, was 29-of-42 passing with 388 yards, two touchdowns and an interception against Hamilton.
The Argonauts will be without starting right tackle Jamal Campbell (strained quadriceps) on Friday.
The Alouettes again will have Matt Shiltz at quarterback, filling in for Vernon Adams Jr., who is out with a shoulder injury.
The Alouettes are coming off a 27-16 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks with Shiltz passing for 281 yards and one touchdown in his third career start and first career victory.
“We feel like we can win with Matt,” Alouettes coach Khari Jones said. “I feel really good with Matt Shiltz. I think he’s going to continue to improve.”
The Alouettes did trade on Sunday for quarterback Trevor Harris, 35, who was playing infrequently with the Edmonton Elks. Harris will not be available for the game on Friday.
“I’m excited to get new perspectives in here,” Shiltz said. “I’m excited to learn from him and be a sponge. I have no hard feelings and am excited to meet Trevor.”
–Field Level Media
