Matthieu Proulx named Player of the Game
By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Montreal – Take two Anthony Calvillo touchdown passes plus two Matthieu Proulx interceptions, add a third 100-yard rushing game for Avon Cobourne, a spectacular punt-return score by Larry Taylor, and that alone would make for a great game.
Now add Chris Leak’s first career touchdown pass – on his first career throw to boot – plus veteran rush end Anwar Stewart’s 49th and 50th career sacks and a 117th consecutive game with at least one catch for Ben Cahoon, and you have one heck of an evening.
Playing in front of a 90th-straight sellout crowd at Percival Molson Stadium, the Als (7-1-0) put on a show on both sides of the ball en route to a 34-25 decision over the Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-4-0).
A night of major performances
Taylor was excellent all night, first breaking the ice at 5:20 of the first quarter with his second punt return for a touchdown of the season on a 68-yard dash to the end zone to add to a 1-0 Montreal lead. Overall the diminutive kick returner racked up 119 yards on returns for his fourth-highest total of the season.
While Calvillo’s numbers may not serve justice – throwing for just 170 yards on 28 attempts, his lowest totals of the season – it was his calm demeanour and clutch playmaking ability that allowed the Alouettes to keep answering back all through the game.
With his Als trailing 17-12 and halftime just 36 seconds away, he connected with his favourite target, Cahoon, for the slotback’s first touchdown of the year to give the Als a 19-17 lead at the break, a lead they never relinquished.
One heckuva game…
In arguably the most entertaining matchup Montreal has been in so far this season, Saskatchewan seemed well prepared throughout the night.
In fact, the Green Riders were able to break the Alouette defence’s streak of two games-and-change without allowing a touchdown fairly early on, when at 3:55 of the second quarter, Darian Durant found Rob Bagg for a 26-yard score.
The defence took it in stride, however, as it went on to force three turnovers and sack Durant twice.
A remarkable – if brief – debut
Former NCAA National Champion and MVP with the Florida Gators, Chris Leak, made his first CFL appearance on Friday as he stepped in for Calvillo in a short-yardage situation. He connected with Kerry Watkins for a two-yard score on what was not only his first appearance on the field, but his first snap, first touch and first-ever pass attempt.
Leak found himself just one spot behind Calvillo on the depth chart this week, with usual backup Adrian McPherson nursing a shoulder injury.
The Als will now head into a bye week and will return to action on Friday, Sept. 4 as they travel to Vancouver to visit the Lions at BC Place (RDSHD, TSNHD, CKAC SPORTS, CJAD 800 AM).
Notes
Cahoon currently sits atop the CFL receptions list with 48 and is in third for receiving yards with 574… He also moved into fourth place on the CFL’s consecutive games with a reception list with 117… Watkins leads the league with 606 receiving yards, the only player over the 600 barrier so far this year… Calvillo made his 200th appearance with the Alouettes on Friday… With 50 sacks as an Alouette, Stewart is now just two back of Elfrid Payton’s team record of 52.
