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TORONTO (CP) — 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 provide 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, a college in New Jersey, required a neck brace and his head to be stabilized 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. Justin 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.