What You Didn’t Catch: 3 Big Moments from the Head Coach’s Press Conference

3 Things You Missed from the Head Coaches’ Grey Cup Press Conference

The Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal Alouettes are charging full speed ahead as they gear up for the 112th Grey Cup on Sunday.

Head coaches Corey Mace and Jason Maas addressed the media on Tuesday, reflecting on their past playing days, sharing updates on Davis Alexander’s health, and discussing the buildup to the championship showdown.

1. A CONNECTION THAT RUNS DEEP

As Mace and Maas prepare their squads to face off for the Grey Cup, both coaches find themselves on opposite sidelines for one of the biggest games of the season.

Montreal quarterback Davis Alexander has battled a hamstring injury all year, yet continues to come through in clutch moments — including last week’s Eastern Final win over Hamilton.

Maas acknowledged that questions about Alexander’s fitness will persist throughout Grey Cup week but expressed full confidence in his signal-caller, who has remarkably guided the Alouettes to 13 straight wins as a starter.

“We’ve got three quarterbacks on the roster, and you always have to keep everyone ready,” Maas said. “But the main focus will obviously be on Davis. We’ll monitor what he can and can’t do. What I do know is — he’s going to play, and we’ll be ready for him to play.”

As a former CFL quarterback himself, Maas was asked if he could relate to Alexander’s situation.

“I’ve had a few surgeries from getting hit, but I never ran fast enough to pull anything,” he joked. “I can’t really relate to what he’s going through — I’m just thankful he’s been able to play this much given what he’s been dealing with.”

2. HE’S GOING TO PLAY

The Grey Cup will be played in Winnipeg — just a few hours from Regina, home of the Saskatchewan Roughriders — a location that makes it easier for Rider Nation to travel and fill the stands.

That proximity, combined with the long-standing rivalry between Saskatchewan and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, adds an extra layer of motivation for Mace’s team.

“Maybe I’d be lying if I said we hadn’t talked about that during the year,” Mace admitted. “We’re just grateful to be in this game, wherever it’s played. But it’s pretty special that our fans can make the trip so easily. That’s what’s really cool — giving Rider Nation the chance to be here.”

3. RIDER NATION TAKEOVER

Before their coaching days, Mace and Maas once faced off on the field — Mace as a Calgary Stampeders defensive tackle, and Maas as a quarterback for Edmonton.

“It was my first CFL game ever, back in the 2010 Labour Day matchup,” Mace recalled. “This league is such a close community. I think it’s awesome that someone dug that memory up.”

When asked about that specific play, Mace laughed:

“He got the ball off — so I didn’t do my job.”

Maas also looked back fondly:

“That was toward the end of my career, and I remember being grateful I got the throw off,” he said with a grin. “The guys still tease me about it. Like Corey said, you can probably find similar stories from Grey Cups in the past. It’s a great memory.”