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Calvillo, Als win on QB's record-setting day

Oct 10, 2011 - 9:47 PM Montreal, QC (Sports Network) - It was a record-breaking day for Anthony Calvillo that ended in a win.

Calvillo became the all-time CFL and pro football passing leader Monday, throwing for 305 yards, one touchdown and one interception to lead the Montreal Alouettes to a 29-19 win over the Toronto Argonauts.

The 18-year veteran broke the record in the third quarter of when he connected with Jamel Richardson on a 50-yard catch-and-run touchdown.

Needing just 258 yards to break Damon Allen's record of 72,381 yards, Calvillo reached 72,387 on the pass. His 305 passing yards in the game moved him to 72,429 overall.

The game was stopped for a ceremony to honor Calvillo that included video messages from former NFL great Dan Marino, Allen and ESPN's Chris Berman.

Calvillo, 39, has spent most of his CFL seasons as the face of the Alouettes franchise and is chasing other passing records as well.

His 415 career touchdown passes ranks fourth all-time in professional football behind Brett Favre (508), Warren Moon (435) and Marino (420). Calvillo also ranks second on the all-time completions record behind Favre.

Calvillo also added a rushing touchdown for the Alouettes (9-5), who clinched a playoff berth.

"It was emotional, but I'm glad that we won," Calvillo said. "It's great to have that record up here in Canada but the record still hasn't set in. I'm glad that all my family in California got to see the record."

Richardson finished with eight catches for 134 yards, while Brandon Whitaker had 126 yards on 17 carries.

Steven Jyles completed 21-of-34 passes for 223 yards for the Argonauts and also led the team's rushing attack with 68 yards on seven carries.

Spencer Watt snagged two passes for 50 yards for Toronto (3-11).

"I was here the first year he became a starter here in Montreal," Toronto head coach Jim Barker said. "That I had a part in what's gone on in his career, I am very proud of him and the things that he's overcome."

Montreal opened the scoring early in the first quarter when Calvillo led his team down to the Toronto 21 with an eight-play, 68-yard drive and Sean Whyte connected on a 28-yard field goal, giving the Alouettes an early 3-0 lead.

On the ensuing Argo possession, Jyles led a six-play, 61-yard drive to the Montreal 29 and Noel Prefontaine was true on a 36-yard field goal to knot the game at three.

The Argos grabbed a 10-3 lead thanks to a fantastic punt return of 58 yards by Chad Owens for a touchdown.

Montreal cut the lead to four early in the second stanza when Whyte converted a 33-yard attempt.

Prefontaine extended Toronto's lead to 13-6 with a 35-yard field goal. On the next Alouettes drive, Calvillo led his team on a nine-play, 75-yard march and Adrian McPherson punched the ball across the goal line for a five-yard score to tie the game at 13.

Prefontaine gave the Argos a 16-13 lead with just three seconds remaining in the first half with a 48-yard field goal.

Montreal made it a one-point game with just over nine minutes remaining in the third quarter when an excellent punt pinned the Argos deep in their own territory at the two. On the first play of the drive, Jyles was sacked in the end zone for a safety by Anwar Stewart, pulling Montreal to within 16-15.

On the ensuing Alouettes possession, Calvillo led a seven-play, 6- yard drive to the Toronto 19 before the veteran signal-caller scrambled 19 yards to paydirt, giving his team a 22-16 advantage.

Prefontaine was good from 18 yards with under two minutes to go in the third quarter to pull Toronto to within three, but Calvillo's record-breaking moment pushed the Als out to an insurmountable 10-point lead for the final margin.

Game Notes

In addition to his record-breaking performance, Monday marks Calvillo's 300th Canadian Football League game...Montreal leads the all-time regular season series between these two squads, 106-82-3, dating back to 1946. The Als won the last meeting in August by a score of 36-23 on the road...Toronto's road losing streak widened to seven games.