What a day for Larry Tay
Published on November 20, 2008 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Montreal Alouettes News Release
Montreal - It seems that wherever Larry Taylor goes, some sort of commotion follows.
Back in 2007 when Taylor suited up for the NCAA's Connecticut Huskies, the 5'6" kick returner was the centre of attention following what was supposed to be a regular Big East matchup between Taylor's Huskies and the Louisville Cardinals.
What began as any other punt return quickly transformed into one of the biggest officiating gaffes in Big East history, thrusting Taylor into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Catching the ball at his own 26-yard line, Taylor swung his right arm upwards, seemingly signaling a fair catch.
But as it often is in sports, all is not as it always seems.
Taylor took off 76 yards downfield for a touchdown to put his Huskies up 14-0 in the third quarter.
He made national headlines as those in the football community wondered how the diminutive returner's act had gone undisciplined by the game's officials.
It didn't matter to Taylor though, the reason? 14-0.
One year later and again, Taylor is making national headlines but this time for better reasons.
In last week's 36-26 East Division Final win over the Edmonton Eskimos, Taylor ran two punts back for touchdowns, making history in the process.
Taylor passed former Alouette return man Johnny Rodgers for most punt return yards in a playoff game, and his second score ranks as the third-longest in CFL playoff history at 97 yards.
He also set the record with the most punt return touchdowns in a game with two.
"(Both returns) came at the right time, they shifted a lot of the momentum our way," Taylor said. "And it felt really great, doing it in the Eastern Final in front of such a big crowd."
Taylor and the Alouettes will host the Calgary Stampeders in the 96th Grey Cup this Sunday, Nov. 23 at Montreal's Olympic Stadium (RDS HD, TSN HD, CKAC SPORTS, CJAD).
Canadian Football League Stories from November 20, 2008
- Anthony Calvillo Named CFL Most Outstanding Player - Montreal Alouettes
- Weston Dressler Named CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie - Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Cam Wake Earns Second CFL Outstanding Defensive Player Award - B.C. Lions
- Jeremy O'Day receives Tom Pate Award - Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Calvillo Earns Top Honours at Gibson's Finest CFL Players Awards - CFL
- Kamau Peterson Named CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian - Edmonton Elks
- What a day for Larry Tay - Montreal Alouettes
- Close To 200 Students From James Bay To Attend Alouettes Practice Tomorrow - Montreal Alouettes
- Over 60,000 Tickets Sold For The Grey Cup Game On Sunday - Montreal Alouettes
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