The Alouettes host the Edmonton Eskimos
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Media notes
By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Montreal – While Alouette fans may have looked at last week’s 40-27 thumping of the Stampeders as a vengeance victory, how would one suppose fans of the Eskimos feel about their Week 2 meeting with the Als?
It was just last November that the Als – thanks in large part to Larry Taylor’s two punt-return touchdowns – eliminated Edmonton in the East Division Final at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium, putting an abrupt end to the Eskimos’ march towards becoming the first crossover team to appear in a championship game.
While 2008 may have ended early for the Esks and with a disappointing Grey Cup loss for the Alouettes, the 2009 season has been kind so far – even if it is only a week old.
Following a 2-0-0 pre-season, last week saw the Als limit Calgary pivot Henry Burris to just one touchdown pass, sacking him three times and intercepting him once in the process en route to the Montreal win.
Alouette quarterback Anthony Calvillo looked sharp, completing 24 of his 34 passes for 255 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown pass to Kerry Watkins in the first quarter.
Montreal Kicker Damon Duval was perfect on the night, completing all six of his field goal attempts, while running back Avon Cobourne rushed for over 100 yards for the eighth time in his career and scored a touchdown of his own.
Duval was named the CFL’s Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts.
Edmonton also came out on top
Edmonton opened its season at home with a 19-17 win over Winnipeg.
Down by three late in the game, the Bombers sent out kicker Alexis Serna to attempt a game-tying 47-yard field goal. Rookie Edmonton head coach Richie Hall pull an old trick out of his new hat, however, icing Serna before could call for the snap.
On his second attempt, Serna missed wide right, gaining just a single point and losing the game.
The win was a bittersweet one for the Eskimos, however, as running back Jesse Lumsden was injured in the first quarter after taking an innocent-looking hit from Bomber linebacker Siddeeq Shabazz, separating his shoulder on impact.
The Alouettes will host the Edmonton Eskimos at Percival Molson Stadium on July 9 (RDS HD, TSN HD, CKAC SPORTS, CJAD 800 AM, CHOM 97.7 FM).
