Courtesy Montreal Gazette:

Avon Cobourne knew the ramifications. He understood what was at stake. And even he wondered why the Alouettes kept giving him the ball.

On two occasions, midway through the third quarter and late in the fourth, Montreal had the ball inside the Saskatchewan 10 with quarterback Anthony Calvillo requiring one touchdown pass to move into second place overall in the Canadian Football League.

After three completed passes and a Roughriders’ penalty for illegal contact on a receiver, Cobourne scored the first of his two touchdowns on a six-yard run, giving the Als a 29-8 lead.

There was still 21 minutes remaining, plenty of time for Calvillo to get that elusive 334th career score. But early in the fourth, Montreal got conservative, settling for a short field goal.

There would be one final opportunity. Scrimmaging from their own 29 and moving methodically downfield against a defence that had long since acquiesced, the Als marched to the Riders’ 25. From there, five consecutive running plays were called before Cobourne scored from five yards out.

“I wanted (Calvillo) to break the record. I was wondering why (the team kept running) myself,” said Cobourne, the beneficiary of this logic, gaining a season-high 145 yards on 25 carries. “We were moving the ball and that’s what was called for.

“He deserves every record. He’s the best I’ve played with and deserves every record. He’s a pro.”

Als head coach Marc Trestman, who calls the offensive plays, admitted he deliberately called running plays late in the game, not seeking to embarrass a team Montreal must play at least once more this season. If the Riders were unable to stop the run, so be it.

“We weren’t going to try to throw it,” he said. “We’re not here to break records, just win games.”

So, Calvillo remains tied with the iconic Ron Lancaster, both sitting at 333 passing touchdowns, but certain to surpass the mark early this Thursday, when the Als entertain Hamilton – a team the late Lancaster used to coach.

Lancaster played for Ottawa and Saskatchewan, but is remembered for the mastery he crafted during his 16 seasons out west, between 1963-78. It took Lancaster 19 seasons to reach that total, while Calvillo is only in his 16th year. The game, of course, has changed over the years, becoming more pass-oriented. And Calvillo has blossomed behind the coaching minds of Don Matthews and Trestman. Matthews allowed Calvillo to call his own plays while Trestman, an offensive genius who has mentored numerous great pivots in the NFL, puts Calvillo into a position to succeed, designing plays that develop quickly, virtually ensuring Calvillo won’t absorb a physical pounding.

“My main focus was coming on the road against a tough opponent and winning. I’ll take that any day,” said Calvillo, who passed for 281 yards and two touchdowns, completing 24 of 35 attempts. “But it’s still special tying the record here. I’ll always remember it because of what Ron Lancaster meant to this city and league.”

Calvillo could have become a Rider years ago, following the end of an unsuccessful three-year sojourn with the Tiger-Cats. He likely would have been cast into a starting role with Saskatchewan, but figured it was more prudent to take a step back at that stage, learning from Montreal veteran Tracy Ham. And so, Calvillo signed with the Als.

He claims he hasn’t thought about that choice for years, fully understanding he veered correctly when he reached that fork in his career road.

And if the Als’ defence continues its sound and stellar play, Calvillo might finally get that elusive second championship he has coveted since 2002.

For the second consecutive week, Montreal allowed only one touchdown. And for the second time in three games, they did a thorough job of negating a mobile quarterback. Darian Durant was replaced in the fourth quarter, just as Edmonton’s Ricky Ray was last week. The Riders had less than 200 yards’ total offence and only 14 first downs, in possession of the football more than 12 minutes less than their opponents.

“We know right now that we have a special team,” Calvillo said. “All three phases are playing sound. The challenge is to continue at a high intensity.”

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