MontrealAlouettes.com
CFL.ca Staff
MONTREAL – Trent Guy returned a missed field goal 129 yards for a touchdown as the Montreal Alouettes defeated the Toronto Argonauts 31-10 Sunday afternoon.
In what could be a preview of the East Final, the two teams entered Week 13 with just a game separating one another in the division. The Als held the advantage in the standings but the Argos had a game up in the season series making for an important contest as the playoff picture starts to take shape.
Saturday’s matchup signified the official beginning of the Victor Anderson era as the Alouettes fulltime starting tailback and it didn’t take long for him to make his mark. On the game’s fourth play from scrimmage, Anderson took a check down pass and raced for 40 yards for an opening drive touchdown.
It was Anderson’s fourth touchdown of the year, second on the ground.
The Argos had a chance to pull even when QB Ricky Ray worked his team down the field but the veteran pivot over-threw rookie Dontrelle Inman, setting up a 30-yard field goal for Swayze Waters. Waters has been almost automatic but would not have a chance to put three points on three points on the board as a misfire on the snap sailed away from holder Trevor Harris and Toronto was forced to turn it over on downs.
Things went from bad to worse for the Argos following a Sean Whyte field goal when Ray got rolled over by centre Jeff Keeping after making a pass attempt and left the game with what looked like an injury on his left leg.
Jarious Jackson would enter the game and finish the drive by finding Inman for an impressive grab, setting up a 34-yard Waters field goal.
A former starter with the BC Lions, Jarious Jackson has been relegated to short yardage formations this season and has only seen live action in mop-up duty when the Argos comfortably lead the Hamilton Tiger-Cats two weeks ago at Rogers Centre but he did not attempt a pass.
The Als would extend their lead on the ensuing drive when Anthony Calvillo led a 9-play, 80-yard drive capped off by a 9-yard touchdown reception by Trent Guy, the first of his career.
Jackson would start to get in a groove before the half ended, generating a 7-play series resulting in a 34-yard Waters field goal.
The Als would enter halftime with a 17-6 lead. Meanwhile, Ray’s status was not immediately known, but Head Coach Scott Milanovich did provide an update at halftime, saying he would not return to the game. He finished the game 3 or 4 for 30 yards.
The Argos started the second half with a solid drive that would set up another Waters attempt but missing the 41-yarder was the least of Toronto’s worries. Guy reeled in the ball at the back of his endzone, followed a host of blockers down the far sidelines and went virtually untouched 129 yards for his second touchdown of the game and a 24-6 lead.
| Ray leaves game with injury |
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Ricky Ray was rolled over by centre Jeff Keeping after making a pass attempt in the first quarter. He would leave the game with what looked like an injury on his left leg. |
Guy’s return was the first regular season kick return touchdown recorded by the Als since Tim Maypray ran one back against Toronto in August 2010.
A bright spot for Toronto continued to be Chad Owens, whose 18-yard reception on the next possession put him up over 1,000 yards for the season – becoming the first Argonaut to do so since 2008 when Arland Bruce lll accomplished the feat.
Waters’ tough day continued later in the series however, missing a 35-yard attempt and earning just a single point.
Calvillo went to work in the second for the first time with 6:22 left in the third quarter but his first drive would be spoiled when Toronto DB Pacino Horne interception a pass on the 1 yard line.
Calvillo would make no mistake on the next series though, leading a 3-play, 55-yard drive with Anderson adding his second touchdown (5-yard run) to finish it off. The Als would take a 31-10 lead and not look back.
With Ray out, Jackson played well but just couldn’t seem to get anything going once inside the Als 40 yard line as Montreal started sending the blitz and taking away the former Lions’ time to get rid of the ball.
The Alouetttes now increase their lead to two games in the East Division over Toronto as these two teams will meet once more, at Rogers Centre, on October 14.
Next Week for Toronto: The Argos head to Canad Inns Stadium to take on a Winnipeg Blue Bombers squad that has a win and their starting quarterback back under centre. BUY TICKETS.
Next Week for Montreal: The Als head to Ivor Wynne Stadium to take on the Ticats, looking to increase some seperation in the East. BUY TICKETS.
