Als whip Argos behind Calvillo, Cobourne

Anthony Calvillo threw three touchdown passes to lead the Montreal Alouettes to their third straight win, a 32-14 decision over the host Toronto Argonauts on Friday night.

Calvillo now has a CFL-high 19 TD strikes this season as Montreal (5-3) improved to 5-0 within the East Division to take a four-point lead atop the standings.

The Montreal quarterback, who turns 36 next week, enjoyed some rare success against Toronto. He came in averaging just 184 yards passing against the Argos in 39 career matchups, with 33 touchdowns and 26 interceptions, including five in one game.

Calvillo finished 27-of-41 passing for 379 yards.

Running back Avon Cobourne was also a big part of Montreal's success. He had five catches for 103 yards and a touchdown, and 107 yards on 16 carries.

Toronto (3-5) suffered its second straight loss to remain second in the division heading into a bye week for all four Eastern squads.

But at least the Argos managed to score in the second half on Andre Talbot's 20-yard TD catch at 11:56 of the fourth.

Toronto came in having scored a combined eight second-half points in its three previous games and was outscored 21-7 in the second half by Montreal.

Calvillo delivered the knockout blow at 5:01 of the third, hitting Brian Bratton on a four-yard TD pass to put Montreal ahead 18-7, to the dismay of the gathering of 30,521 with the Rogers Centre roof closed.

Davis Sanchez set up the touchdown, intercepting Toronto's Michael Bishop and returning it inside the Argos' 10-yard line.

Bishop came into the game to open the third quarter in place of starter Kerry Joseph. Joseph was 9-of-16 passing for 115 yards but was sacked three times and again the Argos' offence was inconsistent with him under centre, mustering just 144 total yards.

The situation didn't improve in the second half although Bishop had some solid passes dropped by his receivers. Bishop finished 9-of-20 for 126 yards with a TD and interception.

Ben Cahoon had Montreal's other touchdown, while teammate Damon Duval added two field goals, but saw his streak of 17 straight successful kicks end.

Mike Vanderjagt had two field goals, a convert and single for the Argos.

Montreal came into the game having outscored its opposition 70-7 in the first quarter this season, but it was Toronto that emerged with a 4-3 lead. Calvillo's 18-yard strike to Cobourne in the second put the Als ahead 10-4 and was the lone touchdown of the first half.