Calvillo’s number retired as replacement Crompton leads Alouettes over Riders
MONTREAL — Jonathan Crompton doesn’t have the rocket arm or the calm demeanour of Anthony Calvillo but so far, he wins just like the former Montreal Alouettes quarterback great.
On a Monday afternoon that featured the retirement of Calvillo’s No. 13 jersey, Crompton threw three touchdown passes as the Alouettes drubbed the Saskatchewan Roughriders 40- 9 for their third win in a row.
Crompton, who is 5- 1 since he took over as the starter from Troy Smith and Alex Brink, completed only 12 of 25 passes, put picked up 225 yards with a pair of touchdown tosses to Duron Carter and another to Brandon London.
“Jonathan continues to do what we ask him to do, which is lead the team and get wins,” said Als coach Tom Higgins. “His record speaks for itself right now. The only way to evaluate a quarterback is if you win with him. Jonathan’s a winner and that’s the reason we’re on this roll.”
Third string quarterback Tanner Marsh also scored on a one- yard plunge for Montreal ( 6- 8). Sean Whyte added four field goals.
The Alouettes were a mess early in the season as they searched for a replacement for Calvillo, their starter since 2000 who retired in January.
The Roughriders ( 9- 6), who could have clinched a playoff spot with a win, have been in the same situation since starter Darian Durant’s season ended with right elbow surgery last month. Neither Tino Sunseri nor Seth Doege has stepped up to claim the job.
Sunseri started and went 7 for 12 for 72 yards, with a TD toss to Anthony Allen, an interception and a fumble. Doege took over in the fourth quarter and was 3 for 6 for 37 yards and an interception.
“We’ve got to find answers to everything,” said Riders coach Corey Chamblin. “It has to be more than the quarterback situation.”
QB Kerry Joseph, 41, who signed with the Riders this week, was used on one short yardage play.
The Roughriders have lost three in a row and four of their last five, but Chamblin said it’s no time to panic. They lost in Montreal late in the 2013 campaign and looked to be coming unglued, but then rallied and won the Grey Cup.
“I remember post game saying I don’t have the answers but we’ll find them, and at the season’s end, we found the answers,” added Chamblin. “It’s the same. We have to find the answers collectively about how to win football games.”
It was fitting all the post game talk was about quarterbacks on a day dedicated to the CFL’s all- time passing leader. The intermission was extended for a 25- minute halftime ceremony in which a banner with Calvillo’s name and number was mounted on the stadium wall.
“The Alouettes have always done things right,” said Calvillo. “I was so nervous to get off the field. As an athlete, I hated when things like this go on. I just wanted people off the field so we could play.”