By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Montreal – With 71 games in the book, the 2010 CFL regular season will come to a close Sunday afternoon at Montreal’s Percival Molson Stadium, as the Alouettes (12-5-0, 1st in East) play host to the Toronto Argonauts (8-9-0, 3rd in East) at 4 p.m.
The game will also mark the finale of a home-and-home series between the Als and Argos, with the Als taking the opening matchup in a wild finish, last week at Toronto’s Rogers Centre. Toronto would certainly like to erase the bitter taste left in their mouth after last Friday’s ending, one that can only be described as Canadian and bizarre.
The Alouettes walked out of the Rogers Centre with a 37-30 win after a wild kicking exchange saw Dahrran Diedrick recover the ball in the Argos’ end zone for the game-winning touchdown.
Kicker Damon Duval’s field goal attempt sailed wide into the end zone, forcing Argos receiver Mike Bradwell to kick it out so avoid a single point that would give the Als a 31-30 victory. However, Bradwell’s kick landed just in front of Duval, who sent it back into the end zone where a mad scramble ensued. Diedrick recovered a loose ball and the Alouettes escaped Toronto their 12th ein of the season.
With the possibility of meeting for a third and final clash on Nov. 21 at Olympic Stadium for the East Division Final, both teams are looking for any edge they can get to close out the season.
The Alouettes have won two of three meetings against the Argonauts in 2010 and hold a 14-4-0 record in home-and-home series’ when the second game is at home dating back to 1996.
For the second time this season, Adrian McPherson will start at quarterback for the Alouettes. The last time he was under centre, McPherson rushed for 121 yards in a 27-6 win over the Tiger-Cats at Hamilton’s Ivor Wynne Stadium. His performance was the second best rushing game by an Alouettes quarterback in team history.
After sitting out the past few weeks due to injury, receiver Kerry Watkins returned to action with authority. Now healthy, Watkins hauled in five catches for 111 yards and the game-tying touchdown. Running back Avon Cobourne also had a solid outing, registering 112 net yards – 81 on the ground and 31 through the air – with a receiving touchdown.
Sunday’s season finale will be broadcast on TSNHD, RDSHD, CHOM and NRJ. Tickets for the East Division Final are now on sale. For more information, visiting MontrealAlouettes.com or call 514-871-2255. Over 40,000 tickets have been sold; however, tickets still remain in limited quantities on all levels.
