TORONTO - Adrian McPherson threw for 110 yards and ran for a TD to lead
the Montreal Alouettes past the Toronto Argonauts 37-24 in the first
CFL exhibition game for both teams Wednesday night.
McPherson,
getting the start with incumbent Anthony Calvillo not dressed,
completed 9-of-12 passes to stake Montreal to a 21-7 first-half lead.
The former Florida State star also ran seven times for 68 yards before
giving way to Chris Leak in the second half in front of a sparse Rogers
Centre gathering of 18,241 with the roof closed on a rainy night
McPherson
impressively moved Montreal's offence, effectively mixing the run with
the pass. McPherson's performance won't move him up the depth chart -
Calvillo was the CFL's outstanding player last year - but he provides the
defending East Division champions with solid insurance should Calvillo
be injured.
Rookie Ricky Santos cemented the win with a six-yard
TD run, then hit Brandon Whittaker on the two-point convert with 3:21
remaining to play.
Play was halted for about 15 minutes late in
the third quarter after Toronto rookie receiver Todd Lowber suffered a
neck injury. Lowber, who didn't play football at Ramapo, required a
neck brace and his head to be stablized before being carted off the
field. However, he was able to move both his arms and legs.
Kerry
Joseph's three-yard TD strike to Tyler Scott at 14:54 of the second cut
Montreal's half-time lead to 21-17, a score that flattered Toronto
considering the Als blocked two first-half Argos punts. Joseph finished
9-of-19 passing for 123 yards and two TD tosses, while running six
times for 60 yards.
Toronto's special-teams troubles continued in the fourth when a bad third-down snap led to a Montreal safety.
Arland
Bruce III and former Alouette Jarrett Payton had Toronto's touchdowns.
Jason Medlock added a field goal and three converts.
Chris
Jennings and Frantz Hardy scored Montreal's other touchdowns. Damon
Duval booted two field goals and a convert. McPherson added a two-point
conversion.
Copyright 2007 - MOP Squad Sports
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