The Montreal Alouettes lost 37-31 to the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday night but don’t expect middle linebacker Darnell Sankey to make any new declarations.
The 29-year-old defender placed himself at the heart of the Alouettes’ historic 2023 Grey Cup run with an infamous quote following a September 15 loss to these same arguments, making headlines with a promise to run the table.
“I believe we’re going to win every single game, and we’re going to win the Grey Cup,” he said. “If that’s not your belief, you shouldn’t be on this team.”
At the time, the Argos had just secured first place in the East while Montreal was on a four-game losing streak. The Als went on to win eight straight games — the last five of the regular season and three playoff contests — to hoist the Cup and prove Sankey right.
While this time the roles are reversed and the Als have clinched the East division, Sankey won’t commit to a similar statement.
“No, I’m not gonna do that this year. It’s not about being careful about statements like that, it’s just that I’m just confident in my team,” he told 3DownNation exclusively earlier this week.
“Last year, it was different. I felt like I needed to do it when I said it. This year is different. I have confidence in my team, and it’s us against us.”
Although his teammate and linebacker Tyrice Beverette has been more in the spotlight this season, Sankey has been a rock for the Montreal defence in 2024. He has played all 15 games, recording 95 tackles, two sacks, one interception and three forced fumbles.
The Sacramento State product was effective yet again on Saturday, notching six tackles and a sack. It wasn’t enough to contain a potent Toronto running game that combined for 234 yards on the ground in a back-and-forth affair which came down to the final drive.
While first place is already assured, Sankey still believes his team needs to take their game up a notch before the end of the season.
“I feel we need to step it up in general. Again, it’s us against us,” he said. “We feel we’re doing it every single day. We’re going against the best offence at practice every single week and we believe we’re the best defence.”
The Alouettes (11-3-1) have three games left to put the final touches on their East Final defence, with the game set to be played at Percival-Molson Stadium on Saturday, November 9 at 3:00 p.m. EDT. They go on bye this week before returning to action on Monday, October 14 against the Ottawa Redblacks.
