MONTREAL — After a week filled with change in Montreal, Sunday was likely not the ideal timing for quarterback Darian Durant to have what can only be described as one of the more challenging moments of his CFL career.

Durant lasted just a quarter of the Alouettes 29-11 loss to the division-rival Ottawa REDBLACKS in a matchup that saw him throw six straight incompletions — three of which which skipped in in front of his intended target — before being pulled for backup QB Drew Willy. Although he completed 12 of 17 passes, Willy was only able to muster 83 passing yards.

With the Als in the middle of a rough patch and East playoff spots still in reach, general manager and interim head coach Kavis Reed is not wavering when it comes to who will be back under centre the next time the Alouettes take the field.

“No the time has not come to make a change with Darian,” Reed responded when asked by reporters if he would consider a change at the starting pivot spot next week in Toronto. “Darian had a bad day. He knows that he has to be better to give us a chance. When the quarterback is not making high percentage throws then it’s problematic. Darian Durant should be our starting quarterback next week.”

Durant’s early pull from the lineup caps a week that saw the Alouettes dismiss head coach Jacques Chapdelaine and defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe.

Considering the movement on the coaching staff and an offence that has yet to break out this season, Reed feels that moving away from Durant would tarnish the philosophy set out by the club earlier in the year to have the former Rider lead a turnaround in Montreal.

“Darian was brought in here to be part of the solution and right now to pull the plug (is too) early based on the fragility (of the offence) all around,” Reed remarked post-game.

Durant and the Alouettes will look to regroup with a full week of prep under their remodeled coaching staff as they prepare for the Toronto Argonauts who are coming off a big win over the Edmonton Eskimos. If the Als are indeed to snag a playoff spot in the East, next Saturday’s battle with the Argos is critical with the season series tied at one.

“I felt good,” Durant said after the game. “I threw the ball well during warm ups, just for whatever reason I was rushing throws when it go to game time.”

– With files from Alouettes.com