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McPherson stars as Alouettes beat Tiger-Cats 27-6

Sep 11, 2010 - 9:16 PM HAMILTON, Ont. - Adrian McPherson threw for 238 yards and a TD and added 121 yards rushing to lead the Montreal Alouettes to a 27-6 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday afternoon.

McPherson made his season debut for Montreal (7-3) after missing the club's first nine games recovering from a knee injury. The former Florida State star finished 21-of-37 passing but consistently used his legs to get out of trouble against Hamilton.

McPherson got the start as incumbent Anthony Calvillo missed his second straight game with a bruised sternum. Calvillo was in attendance Saturday but didn't dress.

Damon Duval hit on four of his five field goal attempts for Montreal while Hamilton's Sandro DeAngelis converted on two of his three tries.

The Ticats (5-5) had their four-game win streak halted and missed an opportunity to move into a tie with Montreal atop the East Division.

Montreal slotback Ben Cahoon caught a pass late in the second quarter to give him a reception in 137 consecutive games, leaving him tied on the all-time list with legendary Tony Gabriel.

Hamilton's offence sputtered all day as Kevin Glenn, the league's second-leading passer coming into the game, hit on just 9-of-23 attempts for 138 yards and one interception before being replaced by Quinton Porter with two minutes left in the third.

Porter didn't fare better, surrendering an interception to Billy Parker on a pass intended for Arland Bruce III midway through the fourth that led to an on-field brawl between the squads. When the smoke cleared, three of four fouls went against Montreal, which lost defensive back De'Audra Dix to an ejection and was backed up to its five-yard line after being penalized a net 45 yards.

Glenn returned with 1:52 remaining to play. The Ticats turned the ball over on downs at their five-yard line, which led to a four-yard TD run by Avon Cobourne to put Montreal ahead 27-6.

Glenn was sacked and lost his first fumble on Hamilton's opening possession. Montreal recovered at the Ticats' 45-yard line but had to settle for Duval's 12-yard field goal for a 16-6 lead.

Montreal increased its advantage to 20-6 on a Duval single, then another 12-yard field goal in the fourth.

The Alouettes led 13-6 at halftime after dominating play with 11 first downs (compared to five for Hamilton) and 207 total yards (113 for the Ticats). McPherson's 11-yard TD pass to Kerry Watkins gave Montreal a 10-0 lead barely six minutes into the contest.

Hamilton got two field goals in the second to pull to within 10-6 before Duval countered with a 19-yard boot.