Harris to start at quarterback for Alouettes versus Roughriders

There's no quarterback controversy in Montreal, at least not this week.

Veteran Trevor Harris will start Thursday night when Montreal hosts the Saskatchewan Roughriders in its home opener. Incumbent Vernon Adams Jr., who Harris replaced in the first half of last week's 20-19 road loss to the Toronto Argonauts, had a positive COVID-19 test and won't dress.

Watch the Roughriders and Alouettes at 7:30 p.m. ET/ 5:30 p.m. PT on TSN1, TSN3, TSN5, TSN Direct, TSN.ca, and the TSN App.

Harris was 18-of-30 passing for 270 yards with an interception versus Toronto while rushing three times for 20 yards. Harris drove the Alouettes 63 yards on 10 plays — including a clutch 25-yard completion to Eugene Lewis on a third-and-10 gamble — but David Cote missed a 21-yard field goal with 11 seconds remaining.

However, it's been that kind of start for Montreal (0-2), which opened with a 30-27 defeat in Calgary despite taking a 24-10 halftime advantage. The Alouettes also lost running back William Stanback, last year's CFL rushing leader, to an ankle injury that required surgery.

Receivers Eugene Lewis and Reggie White Jr., though, continue to shine. Lewis has surpassed the 100-yard mark in both of Montreal's games and has 11 receptions for a league-high 239 yards (21.7-yard average) while White Jr. has 10 catches for 134 yards.

And Jeshrun Antwi stands second in CFL rushing with 127 yards on 15 carries (8.5-yard average). But none of the three has scored a touchdown thus far.

Saskatchewan (2-0) certainly presents a solid challenge for the Alouettes.

The Riders' defence is first in the CFL in sacks (13), fumbles recovered (four) and forced turnovers (10) and tied for first in fewest offensive points allowed (14.5 per game). Ten different