Defensive co-ordinator Thorpe key figure in Alouettes’ quest for ninth CFL title

CALGARY — All eyes will be on Davis Alexander and Tyson Philpot on Sunday when the Montreal Alouettes face the Edmonton Elks in the Grey Cup.

But defensive co-ordinator Noel Thorpe will be a key figure in Montreal’s quest for a second CFL title since 2023 and ninth in franchise history.

Thorpe often thinks outside the box when it comes to applying pressure to opposing quarterbacks and trying to confuse them. Rather than use a traditional four-man front to rush the passer, Thorpe will go with an unconventional look or alignment to either force an offence to punt or commit a turnover.

Thorpe often disguises a 3-4 front _ three down linemen, four linebackers _ and couples that with various zone blitzes. His defence sometimes shows one look, which gives the offence the impression something is coming, then either moves into something entirely different once the ball is snapped or simply doesn’t come with what was originally being shown.

Thorpe isn’t against dropping defensive linemen into pass coverage and sending defensive backs on a blitz from somewhere else on the field. And Montreal is very good at disguising its coverages with safeties and halfbacks often rotating into new alignments once the ball is snapped to give the opposition a completely different look.

On Sunday, Edmonton will present Thorpe and the Alouettes defence with a stiff challenge.

Edmonton led the CFL in rushing during the regular season, averaging a CFL-best 127.6 yards per game. The Elks were also tops in rushing attempts (406) and tied with Calgary for second in average gain per rush (5.7 yards).

Justin Rankin was a big part of Edmonton’s ground game, finishing second overall with 1,170 yards (5.7-yard average) and nine touchdowns and a CFL-best 11 runs of 20-plus yards. But the five-foot-10, 210-pound dynamo added 62 catches for 640 yards (solid 10.3-yard average) and a touchdown, giving him 1,810 combined yards.

Edmonton’s second-leading rusher was quarterback Cody Fajardo, who ran for 517 yards (5.7-yard average) with eight TDs. ShunDerrick Powell (344 yards, 7.2-yard average, two TDs) also saw action in the Elks’ backfield.

Limiting Edmonton’s ground game and creating second-and-long situations would give Thorpe the flexibility to be at his exotic best. Fajardo threw for a career-high 4,788 passing yards this season but the Elks were sixth overall through the air, averaging 285.9 yards per game and tied for seventh with Ottawa in TD passes (27).

The more often Thorpe and Co. can stop Edmonton’s offence, the more often the ball goes into the hands of a potent Montreal offence led by quarterback Davis Alexander, the CFL’s outstanding player this season. And the Alouettes receiving corps features Tyson Philpot (CFL’s top Canadian with 124 catches, 1,809 yards and 13 TDs) and Tyler Snead (95 catches, 1,474 yards, 13 TDs).

Montreal led the CFL in offensive TDs (65), net offence (420.9), second-down conversion (56.7 per cent), average yards per play (7.53) and fewest sacks allowed (19). The Alouettes were also second overall in passing yards (320.6).

And that sets up an interesting matchup with a rugged Edmonton defence. The Elks led the CFL in fewest offensive points allowed (23.6) and fewest net offensive yards (338.6), were tied with Hamilton in fewest offensive TDs allowed (44), and were second in both fewest rushing yards (81.4) and passing yards (272.7).

Edmonton also forced a CFL-high 53 turnovers, scored 178 points off turnovers (also tops) and had a plus-23 turnover ratio (first overall). Montreal committed the fewest turnovers (23) and interceptions (six) and sported the league’s second-best turnover ratio (plus-21) behind the Elks (plus-23).

Elks defensive back Tyrell Ford led the CFL in interceptions with seven. Defensive lineman Malik Carney was second overall in sacks with 11, one ahead of teammate Noah Taylor (10).

This will mark the 12th Grey Cup meeting between Montreal and Edmonton, with the Elks holding a commanding 8-3 edge.

The two teams split their season series 1-1 but Alexander has thrown for 708 yards and five TDs versus Edmonton while rushing for another. Philpot registered 18 catches for 251 yards and three touchdowns.

Snead had 10 catches for 226 yards and two TDs.

Conversely, Fajardo threw for 462 yards and three TDs versus Montreal but also ran 10 times for 63 yards and two touchdowns. Rankin had 30 touches for 292 yards while veteran Austin Mack recorded 13 catches for 158 yards and two touchdowns.

Pick: Montreal.

Last week: 1-1.

Overall: 55-30.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 11, 2026.

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press