McClendon rushes Eskimos past Montreal

Oct 21, 2006, 23:15 GMT

Montreal, QC - Edmonton running back Ronald McClendon rushed for 198 yards on 25 carries and also scored a touchdown as the Eskimos defeated Montreal 30-20 at Percival Molson Stadium.

Ricky Ray, who celebrates his 27th birthday on Sunday, threw for 152 yards on 16-of-20 passing and also rushed for 19 yards and a score for the Eskimos (6-11), who settled for playing the roll of spoiler at season's end.

Anthony Calvillo completed 28-of-50 passes for 342 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing one interception for the Alouettes (9-8), who failed to clinch a home playoff game. Kerry Watkins caught seven passes for 114 yards and one TD.

Montreal began play this week two points behind first place Toronto in the East Division. The Argos fell to Saskatchewan last night, but the Alouettes failed to capitalize. However, they can still finish first in the East Division if they beat the Toronto on the road next Saturday.

Ray got the Eskimos on the board first courtesy of a 1-yard run at 6:02 in the first quarter to make it 7-0. Montreal was hit with three penalties on that opening drive, but the Als didn't take long to turn things around.

Montreal's Damon Duval hit a 31-yard field goal with 19 seconds left in the first quarter, but Edmonton responded by marching back down the field on their very next possession to start the second. The drive set up McClendon's two- yard touchdown run to make it 14-3.

Quarterback Steven Jyles entered the game for the Eskimos and capped off a touchdown drive with a one-yard sneak into the endzone with 5:10 remaining in the second to put Edmonton ahead 21-3.

Duval hit a 25-yarder for his second field goal of the game and Fleming missed a 34-yarder for a single point with 1:05 left in the second and the score was 22-6.

Duval later conceded a safety in the third and Fleming booted a 14-yard field goal to extend Edmonton's lead to 27-6.

Montreal finally found the end zone when Watkins hauled in a 12-yard touchdown catch at 11:36 of the third quarter, but the Alouettes couldn't put another point on the board.

Fleming added a 43-yard field goal with 2:25 left in the fourth and Calvillo hooked up with Ben Cahoon for a six-yard touchdown pass with just over a minute left to make it 30-20.

Game Notes

Duval's second field goal of the game him 48 on the season, surpassing Kerry Baker's franchise record.

The Alouettes are 1-2 since general manager Jim Popp took over as head coach.

The attendance was 45,607.

© 2006 The Sports Network