Jul 18 CFL - Alouettes Still Perfect 3-0 After 43-10 Trouncing of Roughriders

The best offense of the CFL met up with arguably the best defense and the league's only 2 unbeaten teams collided as the Montreal Alouettes and Saskatchewan Roughriders fought it out on retro day in Regina. But after a tentative, turnover laden first half, the Als would adapt, overcome and dominate in the second, outscoring the Roughriders 29-2 in that span.

The Alouettes, for the first time this season, were unable to score a major on their first possession and also a first, they fell behind in the lead at the beginning of the second quarter, however Montreal's defense proved just as effective, if not better than Saskatchewan's which allowed the Als and Anthony Calvillo to get touchdown efforts from receiver Kerry Watkins, fullback Kerry Carter and tailback Avon Cobourne twice including an end of game TD that the Alds attempted and succeeded on a 3rd and goal situation.

Cobourne rushed for 145 yards on 25 carries with two touchdowns and may get a nod for player of the week, joining Damon Duval and Larry Taylor who were the previous week's winners. That is, unless the votes go in favour of Montreal's main man, Anthony Calvillo, who threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns. With those two touchdown tosses, Calvillo tied former Roughrider great Ron Lancaster for second on the all-time touchdown passes list with 333.

This game also had a special significance for Montreal centre Bryan Chiu, who played in his 204th career game as an Alouette, breaking Glen Weir’s former club record of 203.

What I like about this team, versus last year's although, arguably it is the same personnel, is that there seems to be an intense sense of cohesion with all players moving in the same direction and all eyes on the same prize: dominate the season and win the Grey Cup.

The players celebrate every point as if it were their first, the defense and offense are buying into their respective systems and the veterans are leading the way as the team concept is instilled from top to bottom, all under the careful watch of Mark Trestman and his coaching staff.

The Als will look to extend their unbeaten streak on July 23rd when the Hamilton Tigercats (2-1) come to town to give Montreal their first taste of Eastern division action.

Tags: Anthony Calvillo \ Avon Cobourne \ Ben Cahoon \ cfl \ Kerry Carter \ Marc Trestman \ Montreal Alouettes \ Saskatchewan RoughRiders