Argonauts fall in Montreal, lose Allen

The Montreal Alouettes narrowly avoided a disastrous collapse at home on Thursday to record their second consecutive win over theArgonauts,as Toronto's quarterback carousel continued.

Montreal wide receiver Ben Cahoon kicked a 22-yard field goal in overtime to give the Alouettes a 29-27 home win. Cahoon was pressed into duty after kicker Damon Duval was ejected in the fourth quarter.

"I knew it might come down to that," Cahoon said. "I knew my range and was aware of the implications.

"I set the tee and noticed that my hand was shaking, so I took a deep breath."

Veteran Argos quarterback Damon Allenleft the game in the second quarter. Allen twisted his right foot on a scramble and is believed to have torn a tendon inhis right big toe.

"He's in a boot, so it's not great," Toronto coach Mike Clemons said.

Rocky Butler, signed justthree weeks ago,replaced Allen to become the fourth quarterback to see action for Toronto (2-4) this season.

Butler started well enough, under the circumstances, but became unglued early in the fourth, throwing interceptions on three consecutive pass attempts, the second of which was returned 66 yards by Chip Cox for a touchdown.

Cox's big play made the score 26-10 and seemingly put Montreal (3-3) en route to a comfortable win, but Toronto's defence and special teams stepped up.

"My emotions went 50 different ways," Als head coach Jim Popp said. "We let them back in the game, we should have never done that, but I'm glad we won.

"That's the bottom line. We have great fans, loyal fans, and I like to hear them cheer loud. A couple of times they got in a lull in there, and I'm glad to send them out of the stadium proud."

Allen was making his first start since Toronto's season opener. Michael Bishop impressed in the team's following two games, but went down with a fractured wrist, leading to the signing of Butler.

Mike McMahon was given the starter's job the last two weeks, but was ineffective and dropped to No. 3 behind Butler on the team's depth chart.

Jarrett Payton and Ashlan Davis scored offensive touchdowns for Montreal.

Als led 19-3 at the half

Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo completed his first seven pass attempts to help give Montreal an early advantage.

Payton scored his first CFL touchdown from two yards out to cap a 12-play opening drive. The son of late NFL legend Walter Payton rushed for a team-high 63 yards in his first CFL game last week, as Montreal downed Toronto 26-13.

While Toronto's offence was ineffectual, the Alouettes continued to move the ball but led just 12-3 late in the second until one of the game's critical plays.

Butler saw a pass attempt deep in Toronto territory deflected late in the second, leading to an interception by defensive tackle Dario Romero.

The turnover set up Calvillo's seven-yard scoring toss toDavis just before the half.

Butler impressed on Toronto's first drive of the second half, finding receiver Obed Cetoute on a slant for a 34-yard scoring play and a 19-10 score.

The Argonauts' defence did their part in the third to keep the game close and finished with seven sacks of Calvillo on the night, three of them coming from Riall Johnson.

Cox's interception was sandwiched in between a pair byteammate Randee Drew, seemingly putting the game out of reach.

Special teams put Toronto in striking distance

But Toronto received new life from their special teams,which recorded their second massive field goal-return touchdown of the season.

Returner Dominique Dorsey grabbed a Duval miss and rumbled 129 yards for a touchdown, tying a CFL record set by teammate Bashir Levington in the season opener against the B.C. Lions.

Duval completed 1 of 4 field goal attempts and was ejected along with Toronto's Byron Parker after a scuffle.

After a Noel Prefontaine field goal made the score 26-19, Butler found Arland Bruce for a 40-yard gain just shy of the end zone.

Andre Durie punched it in, with Prefontainemaking the convert for a tie game with just 1:27 left in regulation.

Prefontaine could not match Cahoon in overtime, however, missinga 50-yardfield goal attempt.

Calvillo completed 30 of 40 passing attemptsfor 241 yards, one touchdown and an interception.

"We've been doing it all year long," said Calvillo. "We're keeping teams in it in the second half.

"We've been dominating teams in the first half, but the score doesn't show the difference and it keeps teams in. We have to learn how to keep teams down and score touchdowns, that's what it comes down to."

Butler completed 8 of 20 for 152 yards, throwing a touchdown and four interceptions.

Both clubs have home dates against Western foes next week. Montreal will host Calgary, while Toronto welcomes Saskatchewan.