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Burris throws 4 TDs as Stampeders cruise past Alouettes 46-21

Oct 2, 2010 - 4:47 AM CALGARY, Alberta (CP) - Henry Burris threw four touchdowns as the Calgary Stampeders bounced back in a big way from two losses in a row with a 46-21 victory over the Montreal Alouettes on Friday night.

It was Calgary's first win over the Als since beating Montreal 22-14 in the 2008 Grey Cup final.

The Stampeders took over top spot in the CFL with a 10-3 record. The Alouettes dropped to 9-4, but remain in control of the East Division.

The two clubs, which have already assured themselves of playoff berths, meet again in Montreal on Oct. 11.

Wide receiver Romby Bryant had a pair of touchdowns for Calgary. Ken-yon Rambo, Drew Tate and Nik Lewis also scored for the hosts in front of 31,167 at McMahon Stadium. Rob Maver made all three of his field-goal attempts.

Andrew Hawkins, S.J. Green and Jamel Richardson had majors for the Alouettes, whose kicking game was compromised when Damon Duval suffered injuries to his kicking foot and then his leg in the first and third quarters respectively.

Montreal middle linebacker Shea Emery and receiver Ben Cahoon were forced to fill in. Emery finished with 293 total kicking yards, while Cahoon made his two convert attempts. With three receptions Friday, Cahoon was four away from the CFL's all-time record.

After losing in overtime in Saskatchewan two weeks ago and then playing their worst game of the season in a 29-10 loss to the B.C. Lions at home, Calgary came hard out the gates Friday and scored 24 points on their first four possessions.

Burris was terrible against B.C., but he was on his game Friday with 404 yards passing, four TDs and no interceptions.

Montreal's Anthony Calvillo finished 17-for-33 in passing for 211 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions. Backup Adrian McPherson made three of five passes for 35 yards and was intercepted once.

Duval's leg connected with the helmet of Calgary's Jabari Arthur after a third-quarter punt and the Montreal kicker went down clutching his thigh. Duval left the field limping.

After his 59-yard kickoff in the first quarter, Duval was in on a tackle of Calgary returner Jon Cornish, who rolled over Duval's right kicking foot. Duval punted once more during the half, but was clearly suffering.

Bryant scored his second major of the night on a 40-yard pass from Burris at 5:59 of the fourth quarter. Maver was good from 23 yards out at 1:16.

Emery conceded a safety late in the third quarter to give Calgary a 36-21 lead heading into the fourth. Calvillo threw his third touchdown pass of the night 16 yards to Richardson at 5:08 of the third quarter to keep the visitors in the hunt.

Lewis showed no ill effects from a minor knee injury that kept him out of last week's game against B.C. The receiver bowled over Montreal cornerback Mark Estelle en route to the end zone for a 36-yard touchdown at 2:44.

Maver's 34-yard field goal ended the first half 27-14 in favour of the hosts. The drive started with Malik Jackson's first career interception on Calvillo's pass intended for Cahoon.

Montreal stayed in striking distance with a seven-yard touchdown pass from Calvillo to Green at 12:48 of the second quarter.

Calgary's Tate has often been inserted to finish scoring drives from short yards. The Stampeder backup quarterback dove one yard for the major at 8:07 for his fourth touchdown on 20 carries this season. Maver opened the second quarter with a 29-yard field goal.

Montreal halved a 14-point deficit late in the first when Calvillo marched the Als 91 yards on 11 plays and finished with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Hawkins.

With the Stampeders in poor field position from their own doorstep, Rambo tucked a short pass from Burris under his arm and took it all the way in for a 100-yard major with three Alouettes on his tail. Burris passed Kent Austin for ninth in all-time CFL passing yards with that throw.

It was the longest reception of Rambo's career and the longest passing play of Burris's. Burris fired the football to Bryant sprinting down the right sideline and he ran it in for a 61-yard touchdown at 3:08.

Notes: Calgary running back Joffrey Reynolds moved past former Ottawa Rough Rider and Toronto Argonaut Dave Thelen into ninth on the CFL's all-time rushing list . . . Lewis extended his games with a reception to 117 straight . . . Kerry Watkins, the Montreal Alouettes' top receiver, is expected to miss the remainder of the CFL season with a separated shoulder. Watkins was placed on the nine-game injured list Friday and will likely be out for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs.