Montreal wins season opener

By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com

Calgary - It’s nowhere near consolation for last season’s disappointing end, but it’s a start.

On Canada’s 142nd birthday, the Alouettes picked up their first win of the 2009 season, 40-27 over the defending Grey Cup champion Calgary Stampeders.

But don’t let the 13-point margin fool you – this was a close one.

Quarterback Anthony Calvillo picked up where he left off in 2008 as the soon-to-be 37-year-old hooked up with receiver Kerry Watkins for a 37-yard highlight-reel catch to give the Als a 7-0 lead just 2:21 into the game.

Calvillo finished the night with 255 yards and a touchdown, completing 75 per cent of his passes.

Following Calvillo’s first TD pass of the season, running back Avon Cobourne capped off an impressive first-quarter drive with his first rushing touchdown of the campaign, a 10-yard carry to put the Als up by 14.

Perhaps the most impressive Alouette on this night, however, was kicker Damon Duval, as the five-year veteran contributed 20 of his team’s 33 points – 18 of which were three-pointers.

Despite the visiting team’s strong start, however, Calgary pivot Henry Burris showed why he was named MVP of last year’s Grey Cup as he led the Stamps all the way back to a 27-27 tie.

Burris ended the day with 247 yards, completing 17 or his 33 passes with one touchdown and an interception and seemed poised to bring the Stamps all the way back for a check in the win column.

But in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter, linebacker Chip Cox returned a Burris fumble 80 yards to finally restore a double-digit lead for the Als and lock in the win for Montreal.

On the other hand, Burris didn’t exactly have it easy as he was sacked once apiece by defensive end John Bowman and rookie linebacker Ramon Guzman.

With the win, the Als are now 12-2-0 in season openers since re-joining the CFL in 1996.

The Alouettes will next host the Edmonton Eskimos at Percival Molson Stadium on July 9 (RDS HD, TSN HD, CKAC SPORTS, CJAD 800 AM, CHOM 97.7 FM). Click here to purchase tickets!