By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Montreal – For the third consecutive season, your Montreal Alouettes are the East Division Champions.
Quarterback Anthony Calvillo turned in another very strong performance, completing 25-of-36 passes for 271 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Als put a dent in an upstart Blue Bombers team’s playoff hopes, winning 22-19.
Change of plans
After the Als failed to capitalize off a 36-yard pass to receiver SJ Green on the game’s opening play, Winnipeg took advantage on their next possesion and jumped out to an 11-2 lead heading into the second quarter.
However, after kicker Colt David missed on consecutive field goals, Calvillo and the relatively quiet Alouettes offence finally woke up.
Following a 22-yard chip shot by David to bring the Als within six, Calvillo found Jamel Richardson for a 17-yard touchdown to give the Als a 12-11 lead with a minute left in the first half.
The second half saw the Als extend their lead to double-digits with Calvillo connecting with a familiar target in rather unfamiliar territory as AC found slotback Ben Cahoon for a five-yard score to give the Als a 19-11 third-quarter lead. It was Cahoon’s first touchdown since Oct. 18, 2009.
The Bombers, however, refused to return to Winnipeg quietly. With 1:13 remaining in the fourth quarter, quarterback Steven Jyles connected with former Alouette Terrence Edwards for a 72-yards touchdown. After Jyles converted on the ensuing two point conversion, Montreal’s lead was a field goal away from being erased.
But after a two-and-out for the Als, the defence stood tall, disallowing Jyles to get anything going offensively. Linebacker Chip Cox put the nail in the coffin, stripping Terrence Jeffers-Harris of the ball for a crucial turnover with eight seconds remaining.
Stat line
Running back Avon Cobourne was an offensive catalyst for the Als all through the afternoon. The other AC rushed for 99 yards on 17 attempts and had six receptions for 51 yards, earning him Player of the Game honours. The Als also received strong efforts offensively from Green, who hauled in four receptions for 71 yards.
Safety Matthieu Proulx may have had a relatively quiet day on the defensive side of the ball, recording just two tackles – but saw his stock rise on special teams, taking off for a 22-yard rush after a rare fake punk by the Als.
Defensively, the Als received a solid effort from Eric Wilson who registered his first two sacks of the season.
The Alouettes will face the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Ivor Wynne Stadium Friday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. (RDSHD, TSNHD, NRJ, CJAD 800).
