Alouettes' Imoh to make 2nd straight start
Tailback impressive against Argonauts in place of injured Cobourne
A more relaxed and determined Mike Imoh will be running out of the Montreal Alouettes' backfield Friday night in Calgary.
Imoh will replace injured tailback Avon Cobourne for a second straight game when the Canadian Football League squad puts its five-game win streak on the line at McMahon Stadium (8 p.m. MT).
Nursing an injured right ankle, Cobourne looked good running drills Wednesday under the watchful eye of Montreal athletic therapist Rodney Sassi, but Alouettes head coach Marc Trestman is being cautious with his star running back.
Cobourne, 29, led the CFL in rushing with 715 yards at the time of his injury. He also ranked 15th in receiving with 487 yards on 49 receptions and is looking to become the first player in league history to rush and catch for 1,000 yards each.
Meanwhile, the five-foot-eight, 190-pound Imoh was strong in his season debut last week against Toronto, carrying the ball 12 times for 75 yards while adding 38 yards on four receptions.
"This is my opportunity, and I have to make the most of it," the second-year CFLer told Montreal reporters Wednesday.
The 24-year-old Imoh, though satisfied with his performance against the Argonauts, believes his comfort level should rise the more he plays.
Trestman came away impressed with Imoh, the former Virginia Tech tailback who dressed for five games last season.
"Although he [Imoh] doesn't have the same size [as the 5-8, 200-pound Cobourne], meaning he doesn't make the same impact, he's still a strong runner. Mike did a good job with his opportunities. He did a good job in pass protection, which is critical."
Kashama dealt to Tiger-Cats
In other Alouettes news, rush end Alain Kashama was traded to Hamilton on Wednesday for a conditional draft pick in 2009 or 2010.
Montreal general manager Jim Popp reportedly had been attempting for more than a month to deal Kashama, who had been asked to take a pay cut.
The Montreal native joined the Alouettes late in the 2006 campaign following stints with the National Football League's Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks.
Rookie Jermaine McElveen is expected to be on Montreal's 42-man roster against Calgary.