Alouettes Chase Perfect Home Record Against Roughriders

The Montreal Alouettes will pursue an undefeated home record when they host the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Monday at Percival Molson Stadium in Montreal. The Alouettes enter the Canadian Football League matchup at 12-3 overall and 8-0 at home, putting them one victory away from their first perfect home season since 2009.

According to La Presse and Radio-Canada, Montreal has scored 310 points and allowed 199 across its eight home games this season. A ninth consecutive home victory would make the Alouettes the ninth CFL team to win all nine home games in a season since the league adopted an 18-game schedule in 1986.

The franchise previously completed undefeated home campaigns in 1954, when the schedule included seven home games, and 2009, when it finished 9-0. The 2026 team could become the third Alouettes squad to achieve the feat.

Head coach Jason Maas credited the team's supporters and the atmosphere at Percival Molson Stadium for helping Montreal improve its home performance. He said the team had specifically addressed its home form during training camp after performing better on the road in recent seasons.

"It's a tribute to our fans and the atmosphere they have created for us at Percival Molson Stadium," Maas said.

Maas also connected the pursuit of nine home victories to the team's 2026 theme, "Grind for Nine," noting the significance of the number to the organization this season. The Alouettes have already secured first place in their division and will host the Eastern Final, regardless of the outcomes of their remaining regular-season games.

Offensive lineman Pier-Olivier Lestage played down the significance of preserving an unblemished home record, emphasizing the importance of finishing the season successfully.

"It's not what people want to hear, but it doesn't change anything," Lestage said.

He acknowledged that the team could still lose at home without compromising its broader objectives, provided it maintains a winning record. Lestage also credited the crowd with creating a difficult environment for visiting opponents.

"We've been building toward this for a few years, actually. Since Jason Maas arrived, we've felt the excitement in the stands. People are excited because they can see that the product we put on the field is good. If I played for another team, I'd definitely be afraid to come to Montreal," Lestage said.

Quarterback Davis Alexander offered a different perspective on the home streak, suggesting that visiting teams might feel its psychological effect but should not abandon their own approach.

"I'm sure it has to be somewhere in their minds," Alexander said of opponents facing Montreal at home.

He added that he would not change his team's system simply because an opponent had remained undefeated at home. Alexander entered the final stretch of the season 146 passing yards short of his preseason goal of 5,000 yards.

Receiver Tyson Philpot, who established three records against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers the previous week, is also approaching a major milestone. According to La Presse, he needs 301 receiving yards to break the CFL's single-season receiving yardage record.

Both players have indicated that winning the Grey Cup matters more to them than individual statistical achievements. Their remaining workloads could therefore depend on the coaching staff's postseason preparation plans.

The Roughriders arrive in Montreal seeking a response to their loss to the Alouettes in the most recent Grey Cup final. Saskatchewan holds an 8-7 record and sits third in the West Division, according to Radio-Canada. The teams are scheduled to meet again in Regina on Saturday, giving both sides two matchups in a short period.

Maas said Montreal expects defensive lineman Julian Howsare, acquired less than two weeks earlier, to make his debut against Saskatchewan. He described Howsare as a talented addition who would gradually take on more snaps as he becomes comfortable with the defensive system.

"We expect him to do his job," Maas said.

Long snapper Louis-Philippe Bourassa, meanwhile, will not return to the lineup on Monday despite participating in the week's practices while recovering from a knee injury. Alexandre Gagné will handle long snapping duties, with Maas indicating that Bourassa's possible return could be reassessed after the game.

The coaching staff must also decide how much playing time to give established starters during the final three regular-season games. Montreal's remaining schedule includes Monday's home matchup, Saturday's game in Regina and a subsequent road game against Toronto.

Byron Archambault, the special teams coordinator and assistant head coach, said the team has been experimenting with players in unfamiliar positions to expand its options for the playoffs.

"On offense and defense, we have to do what we need to do. We have to maximize how we use every player," Archambault said.

The decision carries added significance for Lestage, who suffered a serious right leg injury during Montreal's final regular-season game in 2023 after the team had already secured a playoff berth. He subsequently missed the postseason and the Alouettes' championship victory.

With the Eastern Final already secured, Montreal's remaining games offer opportunities to maintain competitive sharpness while limiting the risk of injuries before the playoffs. The Alouettes and Roughriders are scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. Monday in Montreal before traveling to Regina for their next meeting on Saturday.