Marquee Matchup: Will Fajardo win against his former team?

MONTREAL — Sometimes there’s a game on the schedule that means a little bit more than all the others and we can only assume that Friday night’s contest in Montreal is one that has a bit of extra spice for Cody Fajardo.

The Alouettes matchup against the Saskatchewan Roughriders marks the first time that Fajardo will take on his former team.

Despite Fajardo missing Tuesday’s practice and only practicing in a limited capacity on Wednesday, he does remain available for the contest. However, the signal caller was listed as a game time decision on the team’s official depth chart. No matter if Fajardo lines up under centre or is on the sideline, there’s still going to be an added layer to Friday night’s game for the 31-year-old.

Montreal has won their last two contests and will be looking to keep that going to separate themselves from the Tiger-Cats and REDBLACKS, who are hot on their tails in the East Division.

The Riders, on the other hand, are coming off a win against the REDBLACKS last week that saw Brett Lauther kick a last-minute, 54-yard field goal for the win.

With both holding similar records, Montreal sits 4-3 while Saskatchewan is 4-4, it should be a close, exciting matchup.

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Game Notes:

• Major Montréal Fourth Quarter Comeback (18-0): The Alouettes outscored Hamilton 18-0 in the fourth quarter last week – their best fourth quarter scoring margin since September 21, 2019 vs. Winnipeg (21-0 in Q4 in a 38-37 comeback win). It was only the second time in the last 13 years (2010-2023) they had a margin of +18 or better in the fourth quarter.
• Major Saskatchewan Fourth Quarter Comeback (0:26 left): The Riders created the second lead change in the last 1:04 of the game vs. Ottawa last week in a 26-24 victory. Brett Lauther‘s career-long 54-yard field goal with 0:26 left provided the winning points. The win maintained the Riders remarkable recent record when leading after the third quarter. Since 2018, Saskatchewan is 34-1 when they lead after the third quarter (3-0 in 2023).
• Five Close Ones: The Riders are now 4-1 in games decided by four points or less. They were just 0-3 in 2022 in 1-4 point games. By contrast, Montréal hasn’t had a game closer than a seven-point margin in 2023.
• Cody Fajardo Career Gm #100: This game marks Cody Fajardo‘s first-ever action against Saskatchewan – against all other clubs he is 31-20 in 51 starts and 14-11 on the road. He has a 4-1 record vs the Alouettes including a 2-1 road record at Molson Stadium. With a 2-2 home mark this season this will be his eighth start in Montréal.
  • Fajardo was 27-17 (.614) in 44 starts as a Rider.
  • He totalled 10,632 passing yards and 48 touchdowns through the air, while adding 1,436 rushing yards and 22 majors on the ground.
  • In 2019, he was the West nominee for Most Outstanding Player – the first time a Rider had been a finalist since Kerry Joesph in 2007.
  • He is 4-3 with Montreal, averaging 268 passing yards, while scoring nine TDs (six pass and three rush).
• Cody Fajardo 30+: Fajardo passed for a season-high 318 yards last week completing four for gains of 30+ yards – the most 30+ completions since Jul 20/19 vs BC (4).
• Sack-Free Game: Saskatchewan did not allow a sack last week for the first time since September 30, 2022, a span of 10 games. Prior to last week, they had allowed 46 sacks over those 10 games.
• Riders Great (13-3) in August: The month of August has been a good one for Saskatchewan. With last week’s victory, since 2017 they are now 13-3.
• William Stanback 100+: Over the last three weeks Stanback has raised his rushing total each time – he had just 17 yards on July 9, 2023 but since then has totals of 53, 86 and 106 yards. That 106-yard game was his first since November 6, 2021 – a span of 13 contests.
• Austin Mack: Mack leads the CFL with 85.9 receiving yards per game (min. four GP) and is on pace for 1,545 yards. That would surpass the CFL record for first year players set by Matt Clark with 1,530 in 1991.
• Montréal Offence on the Rise: The Als were held to just 22 total points over two games to start July. In the three games since then they have scored 27, 25 and 27 points going 2-1.
• Alouettes’ 13 FG Atts: Montréal has been held to just two touchdowns on offence over the last two games – but they have made up for that with 10 field goals on 13 attempts. The last time that the Alouettes tried 13 or more field goals over a two-game span was 14 in July 2010.
• Micah Teitz: Teitz has 14 defensive tackles over his last two games – that is the highest two-game total in his CFL career.
• Mason Fine 598: Fine recorded his first win as a starter last week throwing for 296 yards and no interceptions. Over his last two starts he has 598 yards and raised his career W-L mark up to 1-4.
• Shawn Bane Jr.: Bane Jr. has 26 catches on 31 targets for 306 yards and two touchdowns over his last three games.
• All-Time Series – MTL vs SSK: This game marks their 84th meeting since inter-divisional play began in 1961 and will be for the only time this season. Montréal leads 44-38 with one tie but Saskatchewan has won five of the last six contests back to Sep 2018. All-time in 42 visits to Montréal the Riders are 17-25.

It’s anyone’s guess as to who will take this one in this week’s Pick ‘Em Marquee Matchup. Who are you siding with?

Make your pick on CFL Pick ‘Em presented by Old Dutch now!