Latest news with #Als
Ottawa Citizen
a day ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
'We feel we can overcome any adversity,' defiant Als GM Maciocia says
Article content And this is why they play the game. Article content The Alouettes went into Calgary last Thursday on a wing and a prayer. They were without starting quarterback Davis Alexander, Canadian receiver Tyson Philpot and returner James Letcher Jr. In the pre-game warm-up, linebacker Najee Murray was scratched with a hamstring injury and they already were missing defensive-tackle Dylan Wynn. Article content Article content But McLeod Bethel-Thompson won his first game as Alexander's replacement, and Jose Maltos kicked three field goals in the fourth quarter — including a career-long 58-yarder with 70 seconds remaining — and the Als prevailed, 23-21. Article content Article content 'We went there and never felt we couldn't win the game, although we knew it wasn't going to be easy,' general manager Danny Maciocia told The Gazette. 'I'll talk about it until I'm blue in the face. Unless you're witnessing it and you're living it first-hand internally, it's hard to explain. There's such a strong bond and belief; the culture internally. We never feel like we're playing short-handed. We feel so strong about the people that are here. We feel we can overcome any adversity. We feel we have the elements in place. Article content 'And,' Maciocia added emphatically, 'we don't give a rat's ass what people think.' Article content Article content While it didn't hurt Montreal's cause when Stampeders starting quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. suffered an apparent head injury at the end of the third quarter, it didn't appear he would single-handedly win this game. While he completed 15 of 25 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown, Adams also missed seven consecutive passes to close out the first half. Article content And the Als went into the intermission nursing a 14-13 lead following Maltos's 36-yard field goal on the final play of the half after trailing 13-3 earlier in the second quarter. Article content 'V.A. is an outstanding quarterback,' Maciocia said of the former Alouette. 'Obviously when he went down — it's no different than when a lot of other starting quarterbacks go down. There's a significant drop-off. With some others, there's a little one. Good teams find a way. Good teams rally around those types of situations. That's what we did.'
Ottawa Citizen
3 days ago
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
Inside the CFL: Bianca Maciocia following in her dad's footsteps with Alouettes
They live under the same roof, but there will be no ride-share program on this day to the Alouettes' practice at Stade Hébert. Article content Indeed, Als general manager Danny Maciocia and his daughter Bianca, a football operations assistant intern with the team, only travel together when the team has a home game at Molson Stadium. Article content 'When she's at work she's an employee, she's not my daughter,' he explained. Article content Article content An unpaid employee at that, given her intern status. But at least Maciocia and his wife, Sandra Vaz, allow the eldest of their three daughters to continue living rent-free at home. Article content Article content Bianca has been working under the shadow of her father since February, when she first approached him with the idea. She spent three weeks at the Alouettes' 2023 training camp and spent six summers at the Université de Montréal when her father was the Carabins' head coach. Article content Fluent in four languages (English, French, Italian and Portuguese), Bianca hardly required this abrupt change in career paths. She graduated from Concordia University in 2023 with a degree in human relations and organizational development. She had been accepted into the University of Ottawa to pursue a bachelor's degree in sports management, and was in the early stages of working for Air Canada in its flight operation department out of the airline's St-Laurent headquarters. Article content Article content 'I think I've always looked up to my dad,' she said. 'I've always been in awe of what he does, the industry and the type of job. I want to try to work in the industry and do something in the same field. I see it as an industry where there's a lot of opportunity, and there isn't enough representation among women.' Article content It's difficult to determine when the seeds were first planted, although there's a famous 2005 photo of Maciocia holding his daughter on his shoulder, their arms raised and fists clenched, after Edmonton's head coach at the time led the team to a Grey Cup victory against Montreal. Article content Article content Maciocia has spent three decades in football and got his start in the CFL with the Alouettes in 1996 as a volunteer offensive quality-control coach, where he would break down game film and write reports. So, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. And while it's possible Bianca wouldn't be with Montreal except for the direct connection, such hirings aren't unusual in professional football.
Montreal Gazette
5 days ago
- Sport
- Montreal Gazette
Zurkowsky: Jose Maltos caps Alouettes' rally with 57-yard field goal
Perhaps it was the fact most everyone believed the Alouettes couldn't win without quarterback Davis Alexander that motivated the visitors. After all, it's amazing what a team can accomplish when it's backed against the wall. Perhaps it was the fact Calgary suffered one too many injuries on this night. After losing receiver Damien Alford, a Montreal native and the first overall draft choice this year, and cornerback Adrian Greene, the biggest blow occurred on the final play of the third quarter, when starting quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. — a former Alouette — appeared to suffer a head injury as he was sandwiched between linebackers Tyrice Beverette and Darnell Sankey after a seven-yard gain. Adams didn't return for the final quarter and was replaced by P.J. Walker, a 30-year-old veteran who played for five NFL teams and had a 5-4 record over 21 games. But Walker was making his CFL debut against what's considered one of the league's stingiest defences — and the result was predictable. One week after overcoming an 18-point deficit at home against Toronto, the Als erased an eight-point deficit on the road at Calgary, scoring nine unanswered points in the fourth quarter for an improbable 23-21 victory before 19,863 fans at McMahon Stadium Thursday night. Global kicker Jose Maltos provided the margin of victory with three fourth-quarter field goals, including the winner, a career-long 57-yarder with 70 seconds left. The kick was down the middle and probably would have been good from more than 60 yards. His previous longest field goal was 53 yards. Maltos kicked five field goals in the game, including a 10-yard chip shot in the first quarter, when the Als couldn't find the end zone from the Calgary 3. 'It feels good,' Maltos told reporters in Calgary. 'This was an important game. We're happy because we need these kind of wins. Every kick is important to me. If they need me ... I'm going to be there and try to do my best.' The Als are 4-0-1 in their last five games against the Stamps. When the teams played to a 19-19 tie last season in Calgary, Maltos kicked four field goals, including two in overtime. The win moved Montreal (5-2) into first place in the East Division, two points ahead of Hamilton, which plays in B.C. on Sunday night. The Als are heading into the most difficult stretch of their schedule, with five consecutive games against West Division teams, though three are at home. And they will probably be without Alexander for most of that stretch. He was placed on the six-game injured list after re-injuring his left hamstring against the Argonauts. Montreal hadn't won without him this season, but veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson changed that with his first victory in three starts. Bethel-Thompson completed 30 of 40 passes for 280 yards and a second-quarter touchdown to Cole Spieker. While Bethel-Thompson was intercepted by Greene in the opening quarter, he settled down. He released the ball quickly, relied on mostly short passes to various receivers and was sacked only once. While it was far from a perfect performance — especially during the third quarter, when Montreal didn't score and ran only eight offensive plays — his numbers would have been better had several receivers not dropped passes. Bethel-Thompson used seven receivers, but his favourite target was Tyler Snead, who caught seven passes for 103 yards — including a 42-yard flea flicker from backup Caleb Evans. The Als had 22 first downs, 362 yards' net offence, ran 64 plays and controlled the ball for slightly more than 34 minutes. 'It feels great to finally play my role for this team,' Bethel-Thompson said. 'I'm just so grateful to have done my job. That was an unbelievable kick at the end by Jose. 'I'll get better. I'll continue to improve. That's the fun part. I was dialed-in on doing my job and putting the team in position to make the kick. There are things I can get better at. I'm just excited to do my role.' The Als played like a team with a chip on their shoulders after critics said they couldn't win without their franchise quarterback, but Bethel-Thompson, 37, won a Grey Cup with Toronto in 2022. 'You can't buy what we just went through,' Maas told journalists in Calgary. 'It's such an incredible feeling and moment. It's something you'll never forget the rest of your life. 'He (Bethel-Thompson) deserved it. Any time you've been doubted, like he was this week. And the last few weeks, whether we could win with him? That's a hard cross to bear in my opinion when you're a quarterback. You've got to have confidence when everyone's telling you, you can't do it. I thought he played tremendous. I'm very happy for him.' Adams completed 15 of 25 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown, while tailback Dedrick Mills gained 78 yards on 14 carries and scored twice. But Walker failed miserably after being inserted, completing only three of seven passes for 20 yards. The Stamps, uncharacteristically, took 11 penalties for 121 yards. This story was originally published July 25, 2025 at 8:04 AM.
Ottawa Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Zurkowsky: Jose Maltos caps Alouettes' rally with 57-yard field goal
Article content Montreal hadn't won without him this season, but veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson changed that with his first victory in three starts. Article content Bethel-Thompson completed 30 of 40 passes for 280 yards and a second-quarter touchdown to Cole Spieker. While Bethel-Thompson was intercepted by Greene in the opening quarter, he settled down. He released the ball quickly, relied on mostly short passes to various receivers and was sacked only once. Article content While it was far from a perfect performance — especially during the third quarter, when Montreal didn't score and ran only eight offensive plays — his numbers would have been better had several receivers not dropped passes. Article content Bethel-Thompson used seven receivers, but his favourite target was Tyler Snead, who caught seven passes for 103 yards — including a 42-yard flea flicker from backup Caleb Evans. The Als had 22 first downs, 362 yards' net offence, ran 64 plays and controlled the ball for slightly more than 34 minutes. Article content Article content 'It feels great to finally play my role for this team,' Bethel-Thompson said. 'I'm just so grateful to have done my job. That was an unbelievable kick at the end by Jose. Article content 'I'll get better. I'll continue to improve. That's the fun part. I was dialed-in on doing my job and putting the team in position to make the kick. There are things I can get better at. I'm just excited to do my role.' Article content The Als played like a team with a chip on their shoulders after critics said they couldn't win without their franchise quarterback, but Bethel-Thompson, 37, won a Grey Cup with Toronto in 2022. Article content 'You can't buy what we just went through,' Maas told journalists in Calgary. 'It's such an incredible feeling and moment. It's something you'll never forget the rest of your life. Article content 'He (Bethel-Thompson) deserved it. Any time you've been doubted, like he was this week. And the last few weeks, whether we could win with him? That's a hard cross to bear in my opinion when you're a quarterback. You've got to have confidence when everyone's telling you, you can't do it. I thought he played tremendous. I'm very happy for him.' Article content Adams completed 15 of 25 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown, while tailback Dedrick Mills gained 78 yards on 14 carries and scored twice. But Walker failed miserably after being inserted, completing only three of seven passes for 20 yards. The Stamps, uncharacteristically, took 11 penalties for 121 yards.
Montreal Gazette
7 days ago
- Sport
- Montreal Gazette
Alouettes QB Bethel-Thompson embraces ‘daunting challenge' that lies ahead
McLeod Bethel-Thompson had no illusions when he was traded to the Alouettes from Edmonton last winter. The veteran quarterback arrived in Montreal specifically to back up starter Davis Alexander. He might play a game or two, but Bethel-Thompson was with the Als as an insurance policy. One-third into the CFL regular season, those plans have gone awry. Bethel-Thompson has already played two games, at Hamilton and against B.C., while Alexander recovered from a hamstring injury. But Alexander reinjured his left leg late against Toronto last Thursday while scoring the winning touchdown and has been placed on the six-game injured list. While a player can be removed from that list at any time — his salary doesn't count against the cap in the meantime — the Als will be Bethel-Thompson's team for the foreseeable future. And they're heading into the most difficult stretch of their schedule beginning Thursday, when Montreal meets Calgary at McMahon Stadium (9 p.m., TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM). The Stampeders (5-1) have the league's best record and are coming off road wins at Saskatchewan and Winnipeg. Calgary has defeated Winnipeg twice this season and is averaging 30.2 points scored, while allowing a league-low 18.5. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., a former Alouette, has passed for 1,720 yards and eight touchdowns, although he has been intercepted six times. The Stamps have continued winning despite the absence of injured receiver Reggie Begelton, who caught 92 passes for 1,150 yards last season while scoring four touchdowns. He had three 100-yard games. While the Als are 4-2, their next four games after Calgary are against the Roughriders, Edmonton, at B.C. and against Winnipeg before a bye week in the schedule. 'Sports always is a little bit more than you think you're ready for (but) I love it,' Bethel-Thompson said Tuesday after a practice at Stade Hébert. 'I love the challenge, the opportunity. I couldn't ask for a better week, going into a really good team's house and to get back in the saddle. I'm excited for the opportunity. I'm excited to do it for this team. 'Every lesson you learn, you're better prepared each week,' added the 37-year-old, who spent five seasons with Toronto and led the Argonauts to the 2022 Grey Cup. While Bethel-Thompson passed for an impressive 3,748 yards and 24 touchdowns with the Elks last season, the team was 3-10 during his starts, and he was eventually replaced by Canadian Tre Ford. Bethel-Thompson is 0-2 with Montreal. He completed 24 of 41 passes for 203 yards against Hamilton with one touchdown. But he was intercepted twice and fumbled once into the Als' end zone that was recovered for a touchdown. He likely played well enough against the Lions to win. Bethel-Thompson was good on 15 of 23 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns. A potential third score was dropped by receiver Charleston Rambo. 'It's an awesome offence,' Bethel-Thompson said. 'It's very dynamic and very multiple. It's varied and full of motions, alignments and changes. It's full of every type of read you could possibly have. Full of every type of high-low, inside-out. It's everything that is an offence — and especially a CFL offence that has motion and 12 people. It's really a fun challenge. Every week is mental gymnastics and I really enjoy it. 'That's what's so great about it. It feels new,' he added. 'It's a new team, a new opportunity, a new experience and a new way to feel how urgent this game is for this team at this time. It lost one of its good players, one of its emotional leaders. How can I step up to that opportunity and be the right guy for this team in this moment? It's a daunting challenge and one I look forward to. It's very urgent (for himself). I want this one probably more than anybody else on this team. I haven't had a win as the starting quarterback with this team yet.' For the second consecutive week, the Als will be missing Canadian receiver Tyson Philpot (hamstring). Return-specialist James Letcher Jr. (hand) will be replaced by Lincoln Victor, who attended training camp with Ottawa and will be making his CFL debut. Cornerback Lorenzo Burns (shoulder) returns, but linebacker Najee Murray (hamstring) is listed as a game-time decision. Head coach Jason Maas, a former CFL quarterback, knows it's paramount that Bethel-Thompson displays improvement. 'Quarterbacking is very simple. It comes down to decision-making,' he said. 'When he's in there, no matter how many reps he has had, he has to make great decisions each and every play, throw the ball accordingly, make the reads accordingly and lead the offence. That's all he has to do. He doesn't have to do anything special. 'Do I expect him to be better? Absolutely, just because of the practice and the opportunities he has been given. But our whole team has to be better. If just he gets better and nobody else, we're not going to be as good.'
