Sep
Last minute comeback win for Als vs Lions
Courtesy Montreal Gazette:
They couldn’t take this touchdown away from Avon Cobourne.
Cobourne’s 12-yard scoring run at 14:10 of the fourth quarter carried the Alouettes to a dramatic 28-24 come-from-behind victory against the British Columbia Lions Sunday afternoon before the usual capacity 20,202 Molson Stadium spectators.
Cobourne, of course, believed he scored last week, at Vancouver, in the fourth quarter. But his eight-yard run was denied by off-field officials who believed the clock had malfunctioned and order the down replayed. The Als protested, and while the CFL admitted its error, the protest was denied.
This time, there was no controversy. Cobourne’s winning touchdown came three plays following a 56-yard reception by Kerry Watkins put the Als into scoring position.
Montreal remains undefeated in five home games this season, improving its record to 8-2. The Lions slipped to 4-6. Had B.C. triumphed, it would have been the 232nd career victory for head coach Wally Buono. Instead, he remains tied for the lead with former Als coach Don Matthews.
Although the Als scored a trio of offensive touchdowns – something they were unable to accomplish last Friday, at Vancouver – they were hardly a slick and polished operation.
Calvillo’s first pass of the game was intercepted, by Dante Marsh. The Als also turned the ball over on downs in the same quarter.
Calvillo fumbled in the third quarter, after being hit by Aaron Hunt. The ball was recovered by Jeremy Gibbs. And Larry Taylor fumbled a punt in the fourth quarter.
Both fumbles were converted into touchdowns by the Lions.
Following a scoreless opening quarter during which both teams struggled, Calvillo led the Als on a five-play, 72-yard drive, culminating in a two-yard touchdown pass to Jamel Richardson at 8:53. The big play of the drive was a 33-yard reception by Kerry Watkins.
Damon Duval’s 19-yard field goal made it 10-0 at 12:45 of the second quarter and he gave the Als a 13-3 halftime lead with a 25-yard kick at the end of the half. In between, Sean Whyte kicked a 32-yard field goal for the Lions.
One play after Calvillo’s fumble, Jarious Jackson connected with former Alouette O’Neil Wilson for a 19-yard touchdown at 1:43 of the third quarter.
But the Als responded immediately, going 64 yards in seven plays. The drive culminated in Calvillo’s nine-yard touchdown run at 6:02, giving Montreal a 20-10 lead.
The Als seemingly were in control of the game at this juncture, only to suffer some brain cramps in the fourth quarter.
Two plays after Taylor’s fumble, Ryan Grice-Mullen scored on a one-yard end-around at 3:37. The Lions then went 67 yards in four plays, capped by Jackson’s 43-yard touchdown pass to Geroy Simon at 7:16. Davis Sanchez attempted an ill-advised interception on the play.
The Als entertain Winnipeg next Sunday.
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