Allen eclipses Moon
QB moves to top of football all-time pass yardage list
Bruce, Parker add to Ticat woes with two TDs apiece
Sep. 5, 2006. 05:35 AM
RICK MATSUMOTO
SPORTS REPORTER
HAMILTON—The historic moment finally came five minutes and two seconds into the third quarter.
But it took a few moments for Damon Allen to realize that he had finally passed hall of famer Warren Moon and become pro football's all-time passing yardage leader.
And the venerable Argonaut quarterback had to convince slotback Arland Bruce III, who had scampered 29 yards to not only pick up the necessary yards for Allen to set the record but also score the game's first touchdown, to give him the ball.
Allen said he didn't know he was 17 yards away from eclipsing Moon's mark of 70,553 yards when he called a shovel pass to Bruce on a first-down play.
"I didn't know where I was number-wise (in relation to the record)," said Allen, who finished with 207 yards on the night and 70,596 for his 22-year CFL career. "All I knew was that the score was 5-3 and the Ticats could be back in the game at any moment."
The speedy Bruce took the short toss and deftly eluded two Ticats before powering over the goal line.
But he didn't realize he'd played a major role in Allen's record-setting feat as he celebrated in the end zone.
"I didn't know it was the record," Bruce said. "If I did, I would have loved to have handed (the ball) to him right out of the gate. I thought it was a run."
As he firmly clutched the record-setting ball outside the Argo dressing room after the game, Allen laughed as he related Bruce's initial reluctance to hand over the ball.
"The (p.a.) announcement was the first time I knew it because Arland didn't want to give me the ball," Allen chuckled. "I had three (officials) come over to me and I didn't really understand what they were coming over for. They were like, `We want the ball, you've broken the record.'
"I went to Arland and said, `Give me the ball.' And he was like, `No, no, this is mine.' I said, `They want the ball because it's the record-breaking ball.'"
Bruce also smiled as he recalled the moment, adding he felt "blessed to be a part of history."
"It's a beautiful thing," he said. "I'm glad he got it. Hats off to him. I hope he'll be in Canton, Ohio (home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame) as well as Hamilton (site of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame)."
Bruce, who has been Allen's go-to receiver this season, also scored a second touchdown late in the game on a pass from Michael Bishop as the Argos broke open a lacklustre contest and routed the woeful Ticats 40-6.
Cornerback Byron Parker also had a pair of touchdowns, both on interception returns, while Jeff Johnson caught a pass from Allen for the other Toronto TD. Noel Prefontaine kicked a field goal and five converts.
Allen was honoured at midfield after the Bruce TD, with CFL commissioner Tom Wright formally presenting him the ball as Argo owners Howard Sokolowski and David Cynamon looked on.
Also on hand was former NFL head coach Steve Mariucci (San Francisco and Detroit), who was Allen's college quarterback coach at Cal State Fullerton.
"Words cannot describe how proud I am of Damon," said Mariucci. "This is truly remarkable. Having been Damon's coach when he was an 18-year-old, 139-pound kid from San Diego I can say he always pursued the game with a great deal of determination and a great love and respect for football.
"After 22 years of pro football excellence he continues to amaze us all. He is certainly a credit to his sport."
Argo head coach Michael Clemons said he was in awe as he watched Allen being honoured.
"I was emotional, I was full, I was happy," Clemons said. "It felt like I'd done it. It was one of the most amazing moments I've ever had during a football game."
Allen will be honoured at Saturday's rematch between the teams at the Rogers Centre, with Moon and Allen's brother, Marcus, also a Pro Football Hall of Fame member, in attendance.
The victory moved the Argos into sole possession of second place in the East Division with a 6-5 record, two points behind the slumping Montreal Alouettes.
The Ticats slipped deeper into the East cellar with a 2-10 record.
The Tabbies have now lost four consecutive games and have not scored a touchdown at Ivor Wynne in 16 quarters
QB moves to top of football all-time pass yardage list
Bruce, Parker add to Ticat woes with two TDs apiece
Sep. 5, 2006. 05:35 AM
RICK MATSUMOTO
SPORTS REPORTER
HAMILTON—The historic moment finally came five minutes and two seconds into the third quarter.
But it took a few moments for Damon Allen to realize that he had finally passed hall of famer Warren Moon and become pro football's all-time passing yardage leader.
And the venerable Argonaut quarterback had to convince slotback Arland Bruce III, who had scampered 29 yards to not only pick up the necessary yards for Allen to set the record but also score the game's first touchdown, to give him the ball.
Allen said he didn't know he was 17 yards away from eclipsing Moon's mark of 70,553 yards when he called a shovel pass to Bruce on a first-down play.
"I didn't know where I was number-wise (in relation to the record)," said Allen, who finished with 207 yards on the night and 70,596 for his 22-year CFL career. "All I knew was that the score was 5-3 and the Ticats could be back in the game at any moment."
The speedy Bruce took the short toss and deftly eluded two Ticats before powering over the goal line.
But he didn't realize he'd played a major role in Allen's record-setting feat as he celebrated in the end zone.
"I didn't know it was the record," Bruce said. "If I did, I would have loved to have handed (the ball) to him right out of the gate. I thought it was a run."
As he firmly clutched the record-setting ball outside the Argo dressing room after the game, Allen laughed as he related Bruce's initial reluctance to hand over the ball.
"The (p.a.) announcement was the first time I knew it because Arland didn't want to give me the ball," Allen chuckled. "I had three (officials) come over to me and I didn't really understand what they were coming over for. They were like, `We want the ball, you've broken the record.'
"I went to Arland and said, `Give me the ball.' And he was like, `No, no, this is mine.' I said, `They want the ball because it's the record-breaking ball.'"
Bruce also smiled as he recalled the moment, adding he felt "blessed to be a part of history."
"It's a beautiful thing," he said. "I'm glad he got it. Hats off to him. I hope he'll be in Canton, Ohio (home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame) as well as Hamilton (site of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame)."
Bruce, who has been Allen's go-to receiver this season, also scored a second touchdown late in the game on a pass from Michael Bishop as the Argos broke open a lacklustre contest and routed the woeful Ticats 40-6.
Cornerback Byron Parker also had a pair of touchdowns, both on interception returns, while Jeff Johnson caught a pass from Allen for the other Toronto TD. Noel Prefontaine kicked a field goal and five converts.
Allen was honoured at midfield after the Bruce TD, with CFL commissioner Tom Wright formally presenting him the ball as Argo owners Howard Sokolowski and David Cynamon looked on.
Also on hand was former NFL head coach Steve Mariucci (San Francisco and Detroit), who was Allen's college quarterback coach at Cal State Fullerton.
"Words cannot describe how proud I am of Damon," said Mariucci. "This is truly remarkable. Having been Damon's coach when he was an 18-year-old, 139-pound kid from San Diego I can say he always pursued the game with a great deal of determination and a great love and respect for football.
"After 22 years of pro football excellence he continues to amaze us all. He is certainly a credit to his sport."
Argo head coach Michael Clemons said he was in awe as he watched Allen being honoured.
"I was emotional, I was full, I was happy," Clemons said. "It felt like I'd done it. It was one of the most amazing moments I've ever had during a football game."
Allen will be honoured at Saturday's rematch between the teams at the Rogers Centre, with Moon and Allen's brother, Marcus, also a Pro Football Hall of Fame member, in attendance.
The victory moved the Argos into sole possession of second place in the East Division with a 6-5 record, two points behind the slumping Montreal Alouettes.
The Ticats slipped deeper into the East cellar with a 2-10 record.
The Tabbies have now lost four consecutive games and have not scored a touchdown at Ivor Wynne in 16 quarters