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Calvillo sets pass TD record; Alouettes rout Argos

Jul 16, 2011 - 4:45 AM Montreal, QC (Sports Network) - Anthony Calvillo tossed a pair of touchdown passes Friday night to become the CFL's all-time leader in that category, as the Montreal Alouettes took down the Toronto Argonauts, 40-17.

With 4:49 left in the first quarter, Calvillo dropped back and found Eric Deslauriers in the back of the end zone to break the record. Toronto threw the challenge flag, but it was determined Deslauriers got both feet in before going out of bounds.

The touchdown pass gave Calvillo 395 for his career. Calvillo added a six-yard TD pass to Brian Bratton in the second quarter. Former Argos QB Damon Allen held the previous mark of 394.

"I am going to enjoy this victory and I am going to enjoy all the things we did today," Calvillo said. "We struggled there in the fourth [quarter] but our defense was on top of the world."

Calvillo completed 29-of-43 passes for 307 yards and an interception for the Alouettes (3-0), who honored former great Ben Cahoon, the CFL's all-time receptions leader, before the game. Cahoon, who for years was Calvillo's favorite target in Montreal, attended his first game since retiring this past winter.

Brandon Whitaker carried the ball 16 times for 120 yards and one touchdown for Montreal. He also caught 11 passes for 94 yards.

Cleo Lemon connected on 19-of-30 passes for 235 yards, one touchdown and one interception for the Argonauts (1-2), who have lost two in a row since opening the season with a win over Calgary.

Chad Kackert carried the ball 11 times for 39 yards. He also caught two passes for 48 yards and a TD.

"You turn the ball over like we did, you're not going to win," Argos head coach Jim Barker said.

It didn't take long for Calvillo to break the record. Montreal's second possession of the game lasted eight plays and covered 73 yards. A 19-yard pass from Calvillo to Brandon London put the ball at the eight. Calvillo then dropped back and found Deslauriers in the back of the end zone. Toronto threw the challenge flag, but it was determined Deslauriers got both feet in before going out of bounds.

Calvillo's record-setting pass gave the Alouettes a 7-0 lead with 4:49 to go in the first quarter.

Chad Owens returned the ensuing kickoff 89 yards. On the first play, Lemon scampered into the end zone from eight yards out to make it 7-7.

The first play of the second quarter resulted in a 24-yard Noel Prefontaine field goal. Sean Whyte responded midway through the period with a 10-yarder to make it a 10-10 game.

Calvillo threw his second TD pass of the game with over 2 1/2 minutes left in the half. Bratton was on the receiving end of a six-yard pass to make it 17-10.

Whyte made a 25-yard field goal with under 30 seconds remaining to give Montreal a 20-10 lead at the break.

A 13-yard Whyte field goal early in the third quarter made it a 13-point contest. Kackert responded with a 53-yard TD catch on Toronto's ensuing possession to cut the gap to 23-17.

Montreal put the game away in the fourth. Whitaker scampered into the end zone from two yards out to make it a 13-point contest, capping the Als' initial series of the final period.

Lemon was then intercepted by Chip Cox, and Whyte connected on a 22-yard field goal to make it 33-17.

Cox capped the Alouettes' 17-point period with a 109-yard return of Kackert fumble for a touchdown -- which tied the record for longest fumble return in CFL annals.

Game Notes

The 38-year-old Calvillo, who broke into the league with Las Vegas and also played in Hamilton, is on pace to break Allen's records for completions (5,158) and passing yards (72,381)...Cahoon, who spent his entire 13-year career with the Als, helped lead the franchise to its second straight Grey Cup win last season...Montreal was without star wide receiver Jamel Richardson due to a leg injury sustained last week in Saskatchewan...The Argos were without injured running back Cory Boyd.