By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Regina – Different jerseys, same result.
Donning their 1960s red and white retro jerseys, the Als, led by quarterback Anthony Calvillo’s 281 yards and two touchdowns, strolled along to their third win of the season, beating Saskatchewan 43-10 at Regina’s Mosaic Stadium.
With those two touchdown tosses, Calvillo tied legendary pivot Ron Lancaster for second on the all-time touchdown passes list with 333.
It was also the Als’ third consecutive win over a West Division club, having defeated Calgary on the road in Week 1 and Edmonton at home last week – an extremely impressive feat for the Als to start the season, as 2008 saw Montreal win just three games against the West in all.
Spreading the wealth
In a turnover-filled affair – 11 to be exact – Montreal got touchdowns from receiver Kerry Watkins, fullback Kerry Carter and two from tailback Avon Cobourne.
Cobourne in particular had a stellar day at the office, rushing for 145 yards on 25 carries with two touchdowns.
The first quarter saw the Als jump out to a 4-0 lead after kicker Damon Duval put a 40-yard field goal through the uprights and missed a 54-yard field goal attempt for a single.
The missed attempt in the first quarter was his only blemish, however, as the five-year veteran was perfect from then on, making all four of his attempts with the longest being from 40 yards.
Slotback Ben Cahoon was the game’s leading receiver, catching seven balls for 86 yards, including an incredible highlight reel catch in the second half.
Cahoon, already with an overflowing chest of impressive catches, reached around the helmet of the Saskatchewan defender and hung on for the catch in double coverage.
It was just another one of those seemingly improbable Calvillo-to-Cahoon moments.
The Als still battled for the win…
Following Duval’s four-point first quarter, the second quarter saw the Als surrender their first lead of the 2009 season.
Playing for the first time since last year, Roughrider running back Wes Cates showed no signs of rust, as he ran for a four yard score to put the Riders up 7-4.
Cates’ major turned out to be the lone bright spot for the suddenly anaemic Roughrider offence, however, as the rest of the game was all Alouettes with Calvillo leading the way.
The CFL great found seven different receivers throughout the game, including Cahoon and Brian Bratton for an equal seven catches apiece.
Following Cates’ touchdown, Calvillo connected with Carter for his first touchdown of the season, he then found Watkins for his third score of the 2009 campaign.
Chiu sets new mark
The game also marked a special occasion for Montreal centre Bryan Chiu, who played in his 204th career game as an Alouette, breaking Glen Weir’s former club record of 203.
Coincidentally, Weir will be inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame later this season.
The Als will next host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Percival Molson Stadium on Thursday , July 23 at 7:30 p.m. (RDS HD, TSN HD, CKAC SPORTS, CJAD 800 AM, CHOM 97.7 FM).
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