Alouettes rout rival Argos 41-10

MONTREAL — Over the years, pretenders have come and gone in the CFL’s East Division, but the Montreal Alouettes continue to prove they’re the only true contender.

The Toronto Argonauts came to town Thursday riding a three-game winning streak, full of momentum and confidence, tied with the Als for first place in the division, and firm in the belief a changing-of-the-guard was about to occur.

It still might, but not on Thursday, when the Alouettes swatted aside the Argos 41-10 before a capacity crowd of 25,012 at Molson Stadium.

The Als won their fourth consecutive game, improving to 4-1 and proving, yet again, they remain the class of the division.

Toronto’s record is 3-2.

The teams meet four times this season; the next confrontation Aug. 14, at Toronto.

The Als are 7-0 against the Argos in three seasons under head coach Marc Trestman and haven’t lost a game at home since Oct. 29, 2008.

Argos running back Cory Boyd, the CFL’s rushing leader heading into this week’s games, was a non-factor and twice left the match with minor injuries. So, too, did Argos quarterback Cleo Lemon.

The Als also did a good job of taking Argos return-specialist Chad Owens out of the game.

The Als, who have struggled scoring touchdowns, reached the end zone on their first possession, driving 60 yards in eight plays, capped by an 11-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Calvillo to S.J. Green.

Then the visitors went on an incredible 17-play drive, covering 78 yards. It culminated in Lemon’s three-yard run.

The Argos took a short-lived lead on Grant Shaw’s 31-yard field goal at 5:53 of the second quarter, but it was all Als the remainder of the game. Montreal scored 34 unanswered points.

The Als took the lead, 14-10, at 9:13 of the second quarter on a one-yard touchdown pass from backup QB Ricky Santos to Jamel Richardson. It was Richardson’s first score this season and the first TD pass of Santos’s career. The major came following a roughing-the-kicker penalty against Toronto’s Ejiro Kualo.

Als kicker Damon Duval nailed a 19-yard field goal just before halftime for a 17-10 lead.

The Als then broke the game open with two third-quarter touchdowns. A nine-play, 89-yard drive ended in a one-yard run by Avon Cobourne at 9:05. Then, one play following an Owens fumble that was recovered by the Als’ Eric Wilson, Calvillo passed five yards to Richardson at 12:22. Wilson, a defensive tackle, rambled 50 yards with the ball.

Duval kicked a 35-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter before the Als put the final bit of icing on the cake: Cobourne scoring on a three-yard run at 12:20.

Montreal Gazette

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