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Alouettes QB Matthew Shiltz says competition won't change his mindset

"I'll keep preparing as a starter and leading until I'm told it's not my job anymore," Shiltz says after Montreal trades for veteran Trevor Harris.

Last Saturday, we discovered Matthew Shiltz could lead the Alouettes to victory against a team with a losing record.
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Friday night, we’ll learn how well a young quarterback can play when looking over his shoulder instead of downfield. And with first place in the East Division on the line.

Shiltz, 28, was in no danger of getting replaced against the Ottawa Redblacks by rookie Shea Patterson, still relatively new to the franchise. But since that 27-16 victory in which Shiltz passed for 281 yards and a touchdown, the Als acquired veteran QB Trevor Harris in a trade with Edmonton.
Harris, in COVID-19 quarantine, won’t begin practising with his new team until next week, meaning the Als remain in Shiltz’s hands against the Toronto Argonauts (7:30 p.m., TSN1, TSN5, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM) at Molson Stadium. Montreal (5-4) is on a three-game winning streak and could move into a tie atop the standings with the Argos (6-3).
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Can Harris learn enough of the Als offence to play in an Oct. 30 home game against Saskatchewan? Will head coach Khari Jones be inclined to make a switch to Harris should Shiltz, now in his fourth season, struggle? That remains to be determined.

“My mentality, even as a backup, was to stay ready and, if I’m called upon, to go win football games,” Shiltz said on Thursday. “I’ll keep preparing as a starter and leading until I’m told it’s not my job anymore.”

Shiltz has spoken several times with Harris, the 35-year-old, nine-year CFL pro and two-time Grey Cup champion. Shiltz said he has nothing but respect for the veteran, although it’s possible the Als have done nothing more than rent Harris for the remainder of the season in their pursuit of a playoff berth.

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“We’re both in this together to win games,” Shiltz said. “Our job’s not to speculate on who’s going to be the guy. The organization’s doing what they think’s best for the team to win. I’m not sitting here making those decisions and I’m not going to question those decisions. If I’m starting, I’ll do everything I can. If not, I’m doing everything I can to help the guys that are playing.

“Once you let the negative thoughts or questions creep in, that’s when you’re not going to play well.”

Shiltz completed 21 of 34 passes against the Redblacks, connected with Jake Wieneke for a 50-yard touchdown and also scored on a four-yard run — part of the 22 yards Shiltz produced on four carries. But the Als also had to settle for three field goals and were hurt by Cameron Artis-Payne’s two fumbles. Shiltz also had a number of passes knocked down at the line of scrimmage although, at 6-foot-2, he should be able to see over defensive linemen. Shiltz said he has worked this week on his trajectory and release points.

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“I just want him to play his game, keep progressing and making good reads,” Jones said. “When he got out of the pocket, he still had his eyes upfield. I want him to trust himself and trust what he sees.

“He’ll go through some growing pains, like all of them do, but I think he’s ready for it. At this point in his career, he’s ready for this challenge.”

Although the stomach flu has been going through the team this week, all the players appear to have recovered. Artis-Payne will miss the game, but William Stanback — who was scheduled to return against Ottawa until developing food poisoning — has been activated.

Receiver B.J. Cunningham was placed on the six-game injured-reserve list Thursday with a dislocated finger. He’ll be replaced by Reggie White Jr. — no relation to the former Green Bay Packer — making his Als debut.

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Guard Philippe Gagnon has been scratched with a lower-body injury, meaning David Foucault once again becomes a starter. And, in the Als never-ending search for a competent returner following an early-season injury to Mario Alford, Dante Absher will be the next candidate to audition for the role.

Jones, needless to say, is looking forward to seeing how his team embraces the challenge of playing for a share of the division lead.

“You want to be in these situations,” he said. “I’m excited to see how everybody responds. We know what’s in front of us. When your team’s progressing, you need games like this to test yourself and see where you’re at.”

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