MONTREAL - The Montreal Alouettes (3-3) will be trying to tackle a wicked backfield on the unfrozen tundra of Alberta Friday, as they face an Eskimo (4-2) team that boasts the two best backs in the CFL.
Along with Hugh Charles, who has racked up 400 yards this year, the team now also has former Argo Cory Boyd, who leads the league with 447 yards in carries.
A week ago, the first-place Eskimos had only two healthy running backs: Charles McCarthy and Canadian Calvin but they now pose a legitimate threat against the Als on the ground.
The Alouettes are missing Brandon Whitaker, who is nursing a bad set of ribs, while star receiver Jamel Richardson has a bad hamstring injury and cornerback Seth Williams and linebacker Marc-Olivier Brouillette are also out.
Victor Anderson and the diminutive speedster Bo Bowling will be slotted in to replace Richardson and Whitaker.
Quarterback Anthony Calvillo, who leads all CFL QBs in yardarge, will beshooting for his sixth-straight 300-plus yard game.
