Montreal Alouettes Charleston Rambo wide receiver delivers his verdict ahead of Grey Cup matchup

Montreal Alouettes receiver Charleston Rambo says he’s confident heading into the Grey Cup after playing a pivotal role in the East Division final. “We’re going to go out, leave everything on the field and come away with the win,” he predicted after delivering two crucial catches against Hamilton.

Rambo hasn’t always been a focal point in Montreal’s offence this season, often seeming like an afterthought. But with the East final in the balance on Saturday, he stepped up. His nine- and 19-yard second-down receptions from quarterback Davis Alexander extended the drive and moved the Alouettes into field-goal position. Moments later, Jose Maltos drilled a 45-yard kick to secure a hard-earned 19-16 victory and punch Montreal’s ticket to Winnipeg for Sunday’s Grey Cup showdown with Saskatchewan.

Reflecting on the game, Rambo explained that both plays were designed for him to be the hot route. “I had to be fast off the line because the ball was coming my way. Get vertical, be ready for the outlet. I got the first down on both plays — great design by the coaches,” he said after arriving in Winnipeg on Monday.

Rambo caught three passes for 34 yards in the win and has gradually become more involved as the season’s gone on. In the Nov. 1 semifinal against Winnipeg, he posted 95 yards on five catches, including a 41-yard grab.

Even as the team’s fastest receiver, Rambo hasn’t been heavily targeted this year. The 6-foot-1, 184-pound wideout missed only one game but finished as the team’s fifth-leading receiver with 54 catches for 585 yards and three touchdowns. He didn’t score until Sept. 19 and never had a 100-yard regular-season game — and at one point, he wasn’t targeted at all in an Aug. 2 matchup versus Saskatchewan.

Still, Rambo has remained positive. “That’s football,” he said. “Sometimes you get the ball, sometimes you don’t. I never got frustrated. I love this game and I love this team.”

General manager Danny Maciocia praised him, calling Rambo dependable and durable.

Meanwhile, kicker Jose Maltos — whose 45-yard field goal sealed the East final — is preparing for his first Grey Cup appearance. The Monterrey, Mexico native set a franchise record with 58 field goals this season. Though he once dreamed of returning to the NFL, he’s fully focused on helping Montreal win a championship.

“I know how important the Grey Cup is,” Maltos said. “I need to stay mentally ready and enjoy it.”

He believes Montreal has what it takes to finish the job. “We’ll come out on top. We have the best of everything, and nothing to lose. We’re going to put it all on the line.”

Maltos said he embraced the pressure on his game-winning kick. “I like those moments,” he added. “I spent years not kicking, so I take full advantage of opportunities like this.”