Allen makes history as Argos crush Alouettes

Aug 20, 2006, 2:30 GMT

Toronto, ON - Damon Allen enjoyed a historic night as he surpassed 70,000 passing yards in his career while leading the Toronto Argonauts past the Montreal Alouettes, 31-6.

Late in the third quarter, Allen hit Keith Stokes for a 37-yard gain to put him over the mark. Allen, who passed for 200 yards on 10-of-19 throwing with one touchdown pass and an interception, needed just 88 yards through the air coming into the game.

The 22-year CFL veteran now becomes just the second player in pro football history to throw for more than 70,000 yards in a career. The only other player is former CFL and NFL great Warren Moon, who passed for 70,553 yards in his career, a mark Allen now has his eyes on.

Moon, who was recently inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, passed for 21,228 yards in the CFL while adding another 49,325 through the air in the NFL.

Arland Bruce made four catches for 108 yards with a touchdown reception while John Avery rushed for 94 yards on 21 carries with a score for the Argos (4-5), who snapped a two-game home losing streak.

Anthony Calvillo passed for 194 yards on 21-of-36 throwing with a career-high five interceptions. Kerry Watkins made nine catches for 77 yards and O'Neil Wilson hauled in eight passes for 86 yards for Montreal (7-2), which has dropped two straight since starting the season with seven wins in a row.

Toronto built a 7-0 lead in the first quarter behind a pair of safeties and a field goal. Twice in the frame, Montreal kicker Damon Duval conceded in the end zone while Noel Prefontaine made good on a 36-yard field goal with just under three minutes left.

Montreal got on the board late in the second when Duval culminated a 12-play, 95-yard drive with a short 12-yard field goal with just over two minutes left in the half.

The Argos, though, reclaimed the momentum before the break when Byron Parker picked off Calvillo and raced 79 yards for the score and a 14-3 edge.

Montreal made it 14-6 with 2:03 left in the third quarter on Duval's 35-yard field goal.

Toronto then exploded for 17 points in the fourth.

Avery started the spurt with a 14-yard touchdown run early in the frame. Later, Allen hit Bruce for an 83-yard TD strike and Prefontaine added a 32- yard field goal with 7:20 left in the game.

Game Notes

Montreal's club record for most interceptions in a game is Sonny Wade's seven picks against Calgary on September 24, 1972.

Calvillo's previous high in interceptions was four which he did on October 25, 1996 at Montreal while a member of Hamilton.

Parker ended with two interceptions.

Toronto outgained Montreal 317-281.

© 2006 The Sports Network