Herb Zurkowsky
The Gazette

MONTREAL -- Sometimes, it seems, Damon Duval has the easiest job on the Alouettes.

Duval kicked six field goals for Montreal last week against Calgary. While that included a 48-yarder on his first attempt, he also made chip shots from 15 and 13 yards after the Als were unable to complete drives.

"I can sit here and say in a perfect world I'd just hit converts and kickoffs," said Duval, named the CFL's special teams player of the week yesterday. "But in this game that's not a reality. My mindset is I'll get at least three field-goal attempts per game. If we're short (on drives) I'm on the team to put balls through the uprights."

After the Als opened a 14-0 lead against the Stampeders, scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions, Duval accounted for the remainder of the scoring, other than an 81-yard fumble return by Chip Cox late in the fourth quarter.

The six field goals equaled a career high for the five-year veteran, established Aug. 8, at Winnipeg. His career-longest field goal is 52 yards, coming in the same game.

"You definitely want to come out with a fast start," he said. "Going 6-for-6 is great. I never get discouraged kicking short field goals. My job's to put points on the board."

Duval said he must be perfect on any kicks 40 yards or under, and at least 85 per cent on longer kicks.

Courtesy: www.montrealgazette.com