By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Hamilton – As far as the road to the 98th Grey Cup in Edmonton goes, it may have just gotten a lot harder for the Montreal Alouettes.
Hamilton defensive end Stevie Baggs had a night to remember, leading his Tiger-Cats to a convincing 40-3 win over the first place Alouettes. Baggs had an interception, a fumble recovery for a touchdown and was a key ingredient in helping Hamilton force five Alouette turnovers.
Game Story
It was an unusual first quarter for the Alouettes, to say the least. After allowing a field goal on Hamilton’s opening possession, the Als marched downfield on consecutive drives only to see their efforts erased by way of turnovers.
It seemed as though that regardless of what quarterback Anthony Calvillo did, Baggs had an answer.
Hamilton scored their first touchdown after Jamall Johnson forced Calvillo to fumble, one that was recovered by Baggs and returned 80 yards for a touchdown to give the Ticats a 10-0 lead. After watching backup quarterback Quinton Porter give the Tiger-Cats a 17-0 lead from the sidelines, Calvillo marched back onto and down the field, only to be intercepted by Baggs for the third turnover of the first half.
After kicker Colt David gave the Als what would prove to be their only points of the night, the Hamilton offence began rolling with no intention on stopping.
A DeAndra’ Cobb touchdown followed by two Chris Bauman receiving touchdowns capped off a spectacular night for the Ticat offence.
Stat line
On the other side of the field, the Alouettes seemed hapless. Calvillo finished the night with solid yardage, but failed to reach the end zone and was eventually pulled in favour of Adrian McPherson.
SJ Green was the Alouettes’ most prolific receiver on the night, hauling in four receptions for 81 yards and no touchdowns. Jamel Richardson had the most receptions by an Alouette receiver, bringing in five catches for 59 yards.
With running back Avon Cobourne on the sidelines, Brandon Whitaker was utilized well in both the backfield and other areas of the field. Whitaker had five catches for 48 yards and nine rushes for 37 yards. The Als now sit at 11-5-0 and head into the final stretch of the season with a two game set against the Toronto Argonauts.
The Alouettes will face the Toronto Argonauts at the Rogers Centre on Friday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. (RDSHD, TSNHD, NRJ, CJAD 800).
