Alouettes kicker David Coté turns page after critical miss against Argos


“You need to continue to walk forward and go on to the next play, correct what was wrong. That’s for every position, everything in life.”

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We always wondered how David Côté would react if forced to make a long, game-winning field goal. But who knew he’d miss a short one under similar circumstances?

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The Alouettes’ kicker was wide left from 21 yards with 18 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of last Thursday’s 20-19 defeat at Toronto, the play going for a single. While it’s easy to point the finger at the second-year pro, had former Montreal kicker Boris Bede not missed two second-half attempts — one from only 26 yards — the game never would have rested on Côté’s leg.

The 25-year-old took responsibility after the game and again this week. While appearing reluctant to review old news, Côté nonetheless seems to possess the mental resilience to forge ahead. He said there was nothing wrong with the snap or hold, admitting he might have rushed his kicking motion knowing the Argonauts would apply pressure in an effort to block the kick.

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“It’s totally on me, not on any other player,” Côté told the Montreal Gazette after Tuesday’s practice. “It’s nothing different from what I’ve done thousands and thousands of times. It’s a field goal I’ve made many times. I did nothing out of the ordinary that messed up the kick.

“What’s done is done. We can’t change anything.”

While Montreal head coach Khari Jones called time out before the play, Côté denied the manoeuvre affected his routine, providing him with more time to contemplate the kick.

“This night was maybe a little bit tougher and you think about it a little bit more,” Côté said. “You need to continue to walk forward and go on to the next play, correct what was wrong. That’s for every position, everything in life. When something’s not going like you want, you take a step forward and continue to go.”

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Als special teams co-ordinator Byron Archambault was there for support following the game, but said little was needed.

“Obviously, he’s a competitor — a competitive guy who’s serious in his approach and everything he does,” Archambault said. “It’s just making sure he’s all good, but he was all good. He’s been clutch for us from the start. It’ll happen at times. He’s strong mentally. He’s moving on and is ready for the next chapter.”

Côté made 32 of 39 field goals (82.1 per cent) last season. His longest came from 49 yards. He made nine of 16 from 40-plus yards, but missed both attempts of 50-plus. There’s no denying the 6-foot-4, 215-pounder has a strong leg. He has connected on six of eight this season, his longest coming from 43 yards.

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Meanwhile, the Als have placed receiver Jake Wieneke (hamstring) on the one-game injured list. He’ll be replaced by Dante Absher Thursday night against Saskatchewan. Linebacker Chris Ackie (ankle) also will miss the game. In other news, offensive-lineman Pier-Olivier Lestage, selected 10th overall by the Als in 2021, has been waived by the Seattle Seahawks.

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