Tailback Stevie Scott III tantalized Alouettes fans last season with a brief glimpse of what was possible.<\/p>\n
Dressing for 10 games after spending most of his 2024 rookie season on the practice roster, the 6-foot-1, 231-pound bruising runner gained 418 yards on 86 carries while scoring one touchdown. His breakout performance came against Saskatchewan on Sept. 13<\/a>, when he produced 125 yards on 19 carries.<\/p>\n Scott missed the first three games this season with a hamstring injury, but is expected to return Sunday, when the Als host the Ottawa Redblacks at Molson Stadium (7 p.m., TSN1, TSN5, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 99.5 FM).<\/p>\n has performed admirably in Scott\u2019s absence, and the Alouettes should be able to dress both players, creating the possibility of a double-edged sword. Offence hasn\u2019t been Montreal\u2019s problem while winning two of three games.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m feeling the best and most complete I\u2019ve been as a player, person and man,\u201d Scott told The Gazette. \u201cI\u2019m just happy to be here and play for this organization. They gave me an opportunity and a chance to learn the system. I\u2019m forever grateful for that. Now that I have the opportunity, it\u2019s up to me to make the most of it and do what God blessed me to do.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was definitely hard to watch as a player, knowing you can contribute so much to the team,\u201d Scott added. \u201cWe all know that we\u2019re capable of making big-time plays, no matter who\u2019s in the game.\u201d<\/p>\n Here are some other questions and thoughts to ponder: <\/p>\n One streak ends and another begins: Now that quarterback Davis Alexander<\/a> suffered his first defeat following 13 regular-season victories, how will he react?<\/p>\n Alexander was growing weary of being queried about the streak, noting it actually ended last November, when the Alouettes were defeated by Saskatchewan in the Grey Cup.<\/p>\n Alexander held up his end of the bargain in last Saturday\u2019s overtime loss at Edmonton, passing for 356 yards and a touchdown. But he doesn\u2019t play defence, and the , who chewed up Montreal\u2019s defence for 179 yards on 18 carries, including touchdown runs of 36 and 47 yards.<\/p>\n Alexander is the CFL\u2019s leading quarterback heading into the fourth week of regular-season games. He has completed 85 of 124 passes (68.5 per cent) for 1,133 yards and five touchdowns. Perhaps more remarkably, Alexander is one of three starting QBs \u2014\u00a0along with Saskatchewan\u2019s Trevor Harris and Calgary\u2019s Vernon Adams Jr. \u2014\u00a0yet to be intercepted.<\/p>\n Alexander hasn\u2019t been pilfered in a regular-season game since last July 17 against Toronto.<\/p>\n \t\tEditor\u2019s Picks\t<\/p>\n About that defence: There are undoubtedly some early-season issues. While it isn\u2019t all bad, when things go off the rails for brief periods these players seem unable to stop the bleeding.<\/p>\n The Alouettes are averaging nearly 30 points against per game, placing tremendous pressure on the offence to score. And Montreal has allowed a league-high 10 touchdowns.<\/p>\n Montreal lost starting cornerbacks Kabion Ento and Lorenzo Burns against Edmonton to injuries. Neither will play this week. While Montreal won\u2019t declare its roster until Saturday morning, it appears they\u2019ll be replaced by rookies Don Callis, who has played briefly, and Gemon Green, who would come off the practice roster.<\/p>\n \u201cI know in the fourth quarter (against Edmonton) we figured it out,\u201d Alouettes head coach Jason Maas said. \u201cWhen we needed it most we figured things out. And we played to the end.\u201d<\/p>\n Boundary linebacker Tyrice Beverette<\/a>, who missed the Edmonton game with a neck injury, is expected to return against Ottawa. That was the first game he has missed to injury since joining the Alouettes in 2022 as a free agent from Hamilton.<\/p>\n \u201cThe thing I love about (Beverette), he can impact a game in a variety of different ways,\u201d Maas said. \u201cWe\u2019re used to him being on the field and his presence. It\u2019ll be very much welcome having him back.\u201d<\/p>\n As for the Redblacks: Ottawa\u2019s 0-2 record wasn\u2019t the biggest story this week. The Redblacks traded Dru Brown \u2014\u00a0their former starting quarterback \u2014\u00a0to Winnipeg and signed former Alouette McLeod Bethel-Thompson<\/a> as a free agent.<\/p>\n Brown lost his starting position to Jake Maier and, apparently, didn\u2019t take kindly to the decision. As for Bethel-Thompson, he\u2019s dealing with family matters at home and hasn\u2019t been activated for the game.<\/p>\n The Redblacks have numerous issues, including already having lost twice at home. Ottawa allowed 44 points last week against Toronto; Maier has passed for a modest 484 yards and two touchdowns while being intercepted twice, and its offence has been limited to an average of 21.5 points and three touchdowns \u2014 both last in the CFL.<\/p>\n