The Alouettes sweep their season series with Calgary
By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Montreal – Jamel Richardson always delivers. Always.
Reeling in three first-half touchdowns and 70 total receiving yards, Richardson played a big part in sending over 20,000 people home happy this afternoon after the Alouettes 32-11 win over the Calgary Stampeders.
With a 93rd-consecutive sellout crowd on hand at Percival Molson Stadium, the Als (12-2-0) swept their season series with the visiting Stamps (8-6-0) and remained undefeated on their perch at the top of Mount Royal this year.
Recording his first multi-touchdown game since scoring two against the Toronto Argonauts in Oct. of 2008, Richardson’s game-by-game success is becoming almost routine – but he wasn’t the only one who enjoyed this crisp Montreal afternoon.
For Anwar Stewart and Andrew Hawkins, this year’s Thanksgiving Day Classic is one they’ll likely never forget as both enjoyed very special milestones.
The long-serving Alouette, Stewart, recorded his 53rd career sack, passing Elfrid Payton for first all-time on the Alouettes sacks list, while Hawkins notched his first career touchdown.
The Als came out firing
While it wasn’t the riveting matchup some had projected given historical circumstances and the fact that it was a meeting of first-place teams, the Als’ offence provided all the excitement needed, beginning with their opening drive.
Quarterback Anthony Calvillo started things off for his Alouettes, finding receiver Brian Bratton 47 yards downfield on the game’s very first offensive play – a one-handed grab that will probably be highlight-of-the-night material from coast to coast.
Two snaps later, Calvillo hit Richardson for his first score of the day to put the Als ahead by a major.
After kickers Damon Duval and Sandro DeAngelis knocked in a handful of field goals and singles to give the Als an 8-7 lead in the second quarter, Calvillo capped off an eight-play, 80-yard drive by finding Richardson in the end zone for his second score of the afternoon to put the Als up by eight. Just over a minute later, Richardson was at it again, snagging a beautifully-placed Calvillo pass for his third major, giving Montreal a 22-7 lead.
More than one star on Monday
Though Richardson’s performance garnered attention from the fans and media alike, there was another Alouette receiver who fittingly went about his business in very classy manner.
Slotback Ben Cahoon registered 76 yards – well over the eight he needed to pass Don Narcisse for sixth place all-time on the CFL’s receiving yards list – finishing the day as Montreal’s leading receiver and making a reception for a 123rd-consecutive game.
On the other side of the ball, defensive back Jerald Brown picked off two Henry Burris passes for his third and fourth interceptions of the season, tying Matthieu Proulx for the team lead.
Last year’s Grey Cup MVP, Burris, had a very uncharacteristic afternoon, completing just 50 per cent of his passes for 228 yards and two interceptions before being pulled late in the fourth quarter.
The Alouettes will next welcome the Hamilton Tiger-Cats this Sunday at 2 p.m. at Percival Molson Stadium (TSN HD, RDS HD, CKAC SPORTS, CJAD 800 AM).
Notes
Ben Cahoon moved past Don Narcisse for sixth place on the CFL’s all-time receiving yards list… Anwar Stewart set a new team record with his 53rd career sack… The last Alouette to record three touchdowns in a game was none other than Jamel Richardson, almost a year ago exactly – last Oct. 13 against the Ticats at home.
