Smith throws three TDs as Alouettes beat Ticats 36-5 to tighten East race

MONTREAL – Troy Smith threw three touchdown passes in his first CFL start as the Montreal Alouettes downed the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 36-5 to tighten the race for playoff positions on Sunday afternoon.

S.J. Green, with two, and Arland Bruce were on the receiving end of TD throws from the 2006 Heisman Trophy winner, while Tyrell Sutton ran one in. Sean Whyte had two field goals as Montreal won for the third time in four games.

The third-place Alouettes (7-9) are hoping to overtake Hamilton (8-8) for second place in the East Division and the right to play host to a playoff game. The teams meet again on Saturday in Guelph, Ont.

Luca Congi had a field goal for the Ticats, who still have a chance to catch Toronto for first spot.

The Ticats, coming off two wins, could not get their ground game going and hurt themselves with numerous penalties. Starter Henry Burris gave way to Dan LeFevour late in the third quarter.

Smith has seen mostly spot duty since he signed with the Alouettes on Aug. 14. But after Josh Neiswander struggled in a loss to Winnipeg last week, coach Jim Popp decided to give the former Baltimore Raven and San Francisco 49er a start.

Smith, the fourth Alouette quarterback to start a game this season, didn’t disappoint as he threw for 207 yards and three TDs in the first half as Montreal opened a 31-3 lead.

In the opening quarter, he hit Green for TDs of 64 and two yards. With his 11th and 12th of the season, Green reached a career high in TD catches in a season and passed the 1,000-yard mark for a third straight year.

After Congi’s 26-yard field goal to open the second quarter, Sutton scored on a 19-yard run off tackle at 5:46.

Whyte added a 32-yard boot after a 40-yard punt return by Bo Bowling at 12:21 and Smith hit Bruce with a sideline pass for a 26-yard score just ahead of halftime.

Montreal slowed play down after the intermission, adding a field goal, while each team conceded a safety.

Notes: Bowling returned after missing the opening 15 games with an ankle injury. . . The result tied the season series between the teams at one win each, as the Ticats beat Montreal 28-26 in Moncton, N.B. on Sept. 21. . . The Ticats wasted a chance to clinch a home playoff date. . . Burris rushed for one yard, leaving him five short of 5,000 for his career.