MontrealAlouettes.com
There has been no shortage of breath-taking plays seven weeks into the Alouettes’ 2011 Season. Despite this abundance of quality however, MontrealAlouettes.com has decided to take on the tall task of identifying the top-3 moments as we approach the midway mark of the 2011 CFL campaign.
Calvillo rewrites history
Although already discussed, reviewed, and replayed at length, one would be hard-pressed to compile a ‘best-of’ list of the first half of the 2011 season without including AC’s record-breaking exploits.
Following an 8-yard touchdown pass to Éric Deslauriers during first-quarter action against the Toronto Argonauts July 15 at Percival Molson Stadium, Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo became the leading touchdown passer in CFL history.
The play sparked Calvillo’s string of record-breaking performances, as the 18-year CFL veteran went on to break Damon Allen’s all-time completions record just three weeks later, again against Toronto, and then became the first quarterback in CFL history to reach 400 career passing touchdowns just seven days later, in Week 7 versus Edmonton.
Calvillo remains well within reach of even more CFL records, not to mention all-time professional football records, and continues to set the bar for future quarterbacks in the league, seemingly on a week-by-week basis as the 2011 season continues.
Chip Cox ties a CFL record
Standout linebacker Chip Cox brought fans to their feet after running back a fumble recovery 108 yards for a touchdown in Week 3 versus the Argonauts, tying a CFL record for the longest fumble recovery return in the process. Teammate Diamond Ferri was the catalyst on the play, jarring the ball loose from Toronto Argonauts’ running-back Chad Kackert.
The play was significant in that it put an end to a late-game comeback bid that the Argos were mounting. It also highlights the career season that Cox has been enjoying thus far.
The Alouettes’ D steps it up versus Edmonton
In the first six weeks of play, the Alouettes’ defence managed to reach opposing quarterbacks just seven times. In Week 7 versus the Eskimos however, those same Alouettes were able to sack Edmonton QB Ricky Ray six times on the night, recording five in the first half alone, including back-to-back sacks by rookie Moton Hopkins.
The Alouettes’ almost-perfect defence also held Edmonton to an astonishing -1 yards of offence on the ground, and just four points on the scoreboard.
If Marc Trestman’s men can capitalize on that night’s performance to set the tone for the rest of the season on defense, then it could prove to be a turning point of sorts for the year.
