By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Montreal – Toronto running back Cory Boyd had some choice words for his Week 7 opponent Montreal Alouettes.
“We’re going to be the David to their Goliath. They have been winning and doing some good things over there but it’s time for someone to slay that giant,” Boyd told TSN at Argos practice earlier this week.
In previous seasons, Boyd’s words may have seemed almost comical as the Argonauts have won a combined seven games since winning 11 in 2007. This year however, led by new head coach Jim Barker and quarterback Cleo Lemon, the Argos have every reason to believe they can slay the Beasts of the East.
Those same Beasts, however, have won five straight and seemingly have no intentions of slowing down – especially against a division rival.
Tougher test
Saturday night’s matchup between the host Argonauts (4-2-0) and the visiting Alouettes (5-1-0) marks the second of a four game season-series, one that has all the makings of being a more interesting clash than the first time they met.
Two weeks ago at McGill Stadium, the Alouettes came out on top of a 41-10 decision over an Argonauts group that was oozing with confidence. Boyd, who was relatively new on the CFL scene, was limited to just 53 yards against the dominant Alouette run-defence while Lemon threw for a meagre 143 yards, completing eight of his 17 passes in the process.
Both he and Boyd know they have to produce a lot more than that to measure up the Alouettes. In that decisive 31-point win, the Alouette offence was rolling. Quarterback Anthony Calvillo completed 30-36 passes for 394 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Avon Cobourne put up career-high numbers, rushing for 115 yards and a pair of touchdowns in addition to his 116 receiving yards.
It was Cobourne’s first 100-100 game since he had 107 on the ground and 103 through the air on Aug. 15, 2008 against Toronto.
How they fared
Last week saw the Als avenge their Week 1 loss in part three of their burgeoning rivalry against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Tim Burke-led defence made timely plays in a 30-26 win over the resilient Roughriders.
Chip Cox picked up two interceptions and had eight tackles in the win, good enough to be named the league’s defensive player of the week.
Kick returner Tim Maypray was also honoured for his efforts as the league handed him top special team’s honours. Maypray recorded his second touchdown of the season, returning a missed 42-yard field goal try by kicker Luca Congi 118 yards for a score. The Argos bounced back from their loss to the Als in fine form, narrowly beating the Eskimos 29-28 at Commonwealth Stadium.
Boyd picked up two rushing touchdowns, including the game winning score with under 30 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Alouettes next play the Toronto Argonauts at the Rogers Centre on Aug. 14 at 7:30 pm EST on RDSHD, TSNHD, NRJ, CJAD
