The Montreal Alouettes (5-3-0) are looking to rebound after last week’s loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. They’ll take on the Edmonton Elks at Percival Molson Stadium on Friday night. The Als are in the middle of a stretch where they’ll enjoy some home cooking. They’ll be playing four of five games at home, including last week’s contest.

This is the second clash between these two teams, as the Alouettes defeated the Elks in Edmonton, 38-28, back on July 19th.

Here’s what you need to know about the game:

Tight defence

Last week’s game against Saskatchewan was just the second time all season that the team allowed more than 30 points, and it was really the first team the defence allowed more than 30. When the Als allowed 35 points to Hamilton in June, that included a pick-six and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.

Despite the 34 points allowed last week, the Als defence is still third in the CFL in points allowed per game, with 24 (22.4 offensive points allowed – also 3rd). Only Calgary and Saskatchewan are ahead of the Als in that category.

The Elks find themselves dead last in both categories, as they’ve given up 31.3 points per game and 30.1 offensive points per game.

Ciante Evans starts at corner

Evans will make his 2025 debut after being signed by the Alouettes at the beginning of the week. That’s how banged up this team is right now. This is in no way a shot at Evans, 32, who has been an outstanding cover-man throughout his career. The fact that he’s even able to start right away is a testament to how much he kept himself in shape when he was away from the game.

This is Evans’ third stint with the Alouettes, as he played for the team in 2019 and 2023, too. He was part of Noel Thorpe’s defence when the team last hoisted the Grey Cup.

“I was ecstatic,” Evans, who is now wearing number 25, said on Wednesday. “I was elated. I didn’t think it would happen, but that’s why you have faith, trust in God and keep your faith strong. When it happened, I was ready to go. My mind was already locked in on football. I just wanted to come in and be the best teammate I could be.

“(The Alouettes) calling me was the cherry on top. To be honest with you, if it was any other team, I probably would’ve said no. That’s just being straight honest with you. I was probably at that point, thinking that way, but I built something here. I trust these coaches, I trust this management, I trust these players, so it was a no-brainer.”

Special return

A pair of former Alouettes will be returning to the city for the first time since leaving, as quarterback Cody Fajardo and receiver Kaion Julien-Grant will take on their former team.

Fajardo will start at quarterback for the third week in a row.

“I know it will be a special game for him whether he says it or not,” head coach Jason Maas said of Fajardo. “I’m sure he won’t by shy about saying it. I know he’ll bring it. He’s going to be excited to play here, and he should be. He has very fond memories here and he has a chip on his shoulder. Any time he has that chip on his shoulder he has a tendency to play well. It’s our job to make sure that’s not the case.”