The Alouettes host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Roster (PDF)
Position chart: text / interactive
Media notes
By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Montreal – Following the conclusion of a successful three-game set against western opponents to start the season, Thursday, the Alouettes (3-0-0) will take on their first divisional rival of the season when they play host to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-1-0) at Percival Molson Stadium.
Perhaps “successful” is an understatement as the Alouettes dominated their opposition by a combined score of 133-53 – the highest points for and lowest against totals in the league so far this year.
Heading into last week’s matchup, the Als and Roughriders were the CFL’s only remaining undefeated clubs, both sitting at 2-0-0, but the hype surrounding the game turned out to be a little overdone as the Als won 43-10, taking sole possession of unbeaten status.
Quarterback Anthony Calvillo threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns while running back Avon Cobourne rushed for 185 yards and a pair of his own.
Success against the Ticats…
Last season, the Als went 3-1-0 against the Tabbies, their lone loss coming in the third matchup – a game that shocked Als fans, as prior to the loss Montreal was perfect against its own division.
The Ticats’ then-unknown quarterback Quinton Porter stole the show, passing for 429 yards and five touchdowns en route to the upset.
So fas this year, Hamilton has seemingly gotten back on track after a couple of tough years- they currently sit just one game back of the Als for the division lead at 2-1-0, so don’t look for the Als to think of this one as a whitewash.
Notes:
– Calvillo’s next touchdown pass will put him into sole possession of second place on the CFL’s all-time passing majors list, as he’ll move beyond Ron Lancaster’s career total of 333.
– Calvillo’s quarterback rating of 112.3 is a league best so far in 2009, while his five touchdown passes and 879 yards are a very close second to Toronto pivot Kerry Joseph, who also has 20 more attempts than AC.
– Cobourne sits atop the rushing yards list with 317 and is also tops in rushing touchdowns with four.
– Receiver Kerry Watkins’ three receiving touchdowns have him in a three-way tie for first in that category, he also stands in third for receiving yards with 251.
– John Bowman and Keron Williams find themselves in a six-way tie for first in sacks with three apiece, while Bowman and rush end Anwar Stewart are in a second-place tie for number two in forced fumbles.
The Als will face the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Percival Molson Stadium this Thursday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m. (RDS HD, TSN HD, CKAC SPORTS, CJAD 800 AM, CHOM 97.7 FM).
