CALGARY — They may not be huge single game numbers by his standards but they were enough to earn Ben Cahoon his second Grey Cup most outstanding Canadian award and a new career receiving record.

And more importantly, the 37-year-old slot back aided his Montreal Alouettes to a championship win with a 28-27 decision over the Saskatchewan Roughriders Sunday at McMahon Stadium.

“It’s special (to win the Canadian player award),” said Cahoon. “But we’re just happy to get a victory, we’re not worried about legacies or history or records at all. We just wanted to win the day and were fortunate that we did.”

Cahoon, who earned the top Canadian honour in the 2003 Grey Cup and has twice earned the CFL outstanding Canadian Trophy (2002 and 2003) came up with five catches and 57 yards earning him a record 633 career Grey Cup yards.

The most important grab came with just 1:45 to play in the game with Montreal in desperate need of a major.

Quarterback Anthony Calvillo was on the run and made an 11-yard pitch to Cahoon who turned and dove over the goal-line even though his coverage was a few steps back.

“I didn’t know if anyone was near me, so I was not taking any chances,” said Cahoon with a chuckle.

The play made it 27-25 for Saskatchewan and set up the possibility of a winning field goal by Montreal kicker Damon Duval.

Duval missed his first 43-yard attempt. A too many men on the field penalty to the Riders gave the Alouettes another chance 10 yards closer and this time Duval didn’t miss.

“I can’t believe we got two chances at it,” said Cahoon. “We knew if we played poised, solid football that we’d have a chance at the end. We just didn’t realize it would come down to the very end.

“We didn’t play very well in the first half obviously and they played very well. They created turnovers and dominated the time of possession but at half time we didn’t panic.”

The Riders held the lead all the way until that final play and for a while, it looked like Saskatchewan receiver Andy Fantuz might get the top Canadian honour. Fantuz scored a touchdown and made a stunning catch along the sideline at the end of the second quarter that set up a Rider field goal after the catch was ruled complete at the two-yard line on a challenge.

“They played a great game,” said Cahoon. “They came out and did exactly what they wanted to do that first half.”

After 12 years with the Alouettes, including a Grey Cup ring from 2002, Cahoon said he’s not thinking about retirement right now.

“It’s too early to think about that,” he said. “I just want to savour this.”

Calgary Herald

smyers@theherald.canwest.com