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Baggs keys Tiger-Cats' 40-3 romp over East-leading Alouettes

Oct 23, 2010 - 2:28 AM HAMILTON, Ont. (CP) - Defensive end Stevie Baggs returned a fumble for a touchdown and had a key interception in the first quarter Friday as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats romped to a 40-3 win over the Montreal Alouettes.

Kevin Glenn added two touchdowns through the air to Chris Bauman as Hamilton steamrolled the East Division leaders.

Montreal committed seven turnovers in the game, three of them coming deep in the red zone. The turnovers also resulted in 13 early Hamilton points, including Baggs' 80-yard fumble return for a score.

The Als, who have already clinched the division title, fell to 11-5. The Ticats, at 9-7, had already sewn up a playoff berth, but they now need a Toronto loss to clinch home-field advantage in the East semifinal.

Four different Tiger-Cats scored touchdowns on a night where its defence neutralized the league's most potent passing attack. Montreal pivot Anthony Calvillo threw for 258 yards but had a fumble, an interception and zero touchdowns before he was pulled for backup Adrian MacPherson with five minutes left in the third.

Backup quarterback Quinton Porter, and running back DeAndra' Cobb also scored touchdowns for the Ticats. Kicker Sandro DeAngelis was good on both field-goal attempts, from 24 and 11 yards, but had one convert blocked.

Glenn completed 21-of-32 pass attempts for 371 yards and two touchdowns. Those two TD passes give him 29 on the season, tying him with Danny McManus (2004) for the club record.

Montreal kicker Colt David was good on his 31-yard field goal attempt.

Two consecutive Montreal fumbles in the first quarter led to 10 Hamilton points. A Jamel Richardson fumble at midfield led to a 24-yard field goal to open the scoring. On its next possession, Montreal was deep in Hamilton territory, when Jamall Johnson sacked Calvillo and forced the fumble. Baggs picked up the loose ball and was escorted by a pack of Ticats 80 yards down field.

Montreal squandered another scoring opportunity on its next possession after its third turnover in as many drives. The Als had first-and-goal at the Hamilton six-yard line when Otis Floyd tipped a Calvillo pass into the hands of Baggs, giving the Ticats possession at their own seven.

In the second quarter, a 15-yard no-yards penalty on a punt return gave Hamilton possession on the Montreal 47. Ticat receiver Maurice Mann made receptions of 19 and 17 yards, and drew a 14-yard pass interference call in the end zone to set up Porter's one-yard TD run to put Hamilton up 17-0.

David hit field goal to get Montreal on the board late in the second quarter, but when Hamilton took over, a 41-yard reception by Chris Bauman to the Montreal one-yard line set up Cobb's TD. Montreal blocked the convert attempt for a 23-3 lead at the half.

Hamilton went up 30-3 on a 78-yard drive with their first possession of the third quarter, highlighted by a roughing-the-kicker penalty and a 31-yard pass to Cobb at the nine-yard line. On the next play Glenn hit Bauman for the score.

Montreal was threatening again midway through the quarter but couldn't convert on a third-and-goal at the four-yard line. Hamilton took over and marched down field to set up the 11-yard field goal and take a 33-3 lead. Midway through the fourth, Glenn hit Bauman again, this time for a 29-yard TD and the 40-3 lead.

It was Hamilton's first win against the Alouettes since Oct. 4, 2008. Montreal, with only a short week of preparation after Sunday's win over Winnipeg, was playing without some of its main characters - running back Avon Cobourne (ribs), kicker Damon Duval (hamstring) and special teams star Tim Maypray (family illness).

Notes: Calvillo made his 5,000th career completion early in the first quarter, making him only the second CFL quarterback to hit that marker, after Damon Allen. He completed 18-of-26 pass attempts.