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Burris shines as Tiger-Cats beat Alouettes

Sep 29, 2012 - 2:36 AM Hamilton, ON (Sports Network) - Henry Burris threw for 326 yards and matched his career-high with five touchdown passes as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats thumped the Montreal Alouettes, 41-28, at Ivor Wynne Stadium on Friday.

Burris completed 28-of-32 passes with one interception, while Andrew Fantuz caught seven passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns for the Tiger-Cats (5-8), who have won five straight games against Montreal at home. Dave Stala caught four passes for 40 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.

Avon Cobourne rushed for 111 yards on 19 carries and Luca Congi booted a pair of field goals for Hamilton. Chris Williams contributed a touchdown catch.

Anthony Calvillo threw for just 197 yards and two touchdowns on 12-of-23 passing, while Chris Jenings and Adrian McPherson added rushing touchdowns for the Alouettes (8-5), who haven't won in Hamilton since September 11, 2010.

Jamel Richardson caught five passes for 69 yards and a touchdown and S.J. Green added a pair of catches and a touchdown for 53 yards in the setback.

Hamilton opened the scoring on its first possession. After converting a 3rd- and-1 from their own 46-yard line, Burris hit Stala for 10 yards and Kenny Ingram was flagged for an extra 15, bringing the ball to the Montreal 37.

Cobourne then went around the right end for 25 yards to the Alouettes 12 and Burris connected with Fantuz alone in the end zone for the five-yard score and a 7-0 lead.

Hamilton took over from its own 48 with just over 7 1/2 minutes to go in the opening quarter. After getting down to the Montreal 1-yard line, Cobourne was stopped on two consecutive plays before Burris connected with Williams on a 3-yard TD pass, extending the Ti-Cats' lead to 14-0.

Early in the second quarter, the Als got on the board thanks to a big play by the defense as Rod Davis jumped on a fumble by Chevon Walker, giving possession to Montreal at the 7-yard line. After a six-yard run by Calvillo, McPherson was able to push his way across the goal line, cutting the deficit to 14-7.

But Hamilton responded on its next possession with a big 57-yard kickoff return to the Montreal 30 by Onrea Jones. Burris hit Fantuz with an 8-yard touchdown strike.

Calvillo, pro football's all-time leading passer, brought his team back to within 21-14 on the ensuing drive. He hit Green over the middle for 34 yards on the first play of the march, then connected with Richardson on a 21- yard slant into the end zone two plays later.

Burris answered with an eight-play drive for Hamilton, which culminated in a 4-yard TD strike to Stala with just over 4 1/2 minutes to go before halftime.

Congi capped the opening half with a 24-yard field goal to give the Ti-Cats a 31-14 lead.

Montreal pulled within 10 with three minutes and change left in the third quarter when Calvillo led a quick three-play drive from the Hamilton 19 that ended with a 5-yard touchdown sprint by Jennings to make it 31-21.

But Hamilton struck again for seven on its next possession as Burris connected with Stala on a 17-yard TD pass to cap a seven-play drive and restore the Ti-Cats' 17-point advantage.

Congi booted a 14-yard field goal with just over three minutes remaining and Calvillo capped the scoring with a 19-yard touchdown strike to Green.

Game Notes

Hamilton finished 5-for-5 in the red zone ... It was the sixth career 5-TD game for Burris ... Congi has made 21 consecutive field goals ...The Tiger- Cats have won five of the last eight meetings between the teams.