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Kerry Watkins scored Montreal's first touchdown in nearly two games as the Alouettes gained sole possession Thursday of top spot in the CFL East after a 37-14 win over the Hamilton Ticats.

Anthony Calvillo connected with Watkins on a 32-yard scoring play early in the fourth to put the game out of hand, and he added a late touchdown pass to Kerry Carter in Montreal's home opener.

The Alouettes had scored just two touchdowns in the previous nine quarters, both coming in a span of a few minutes in Week 2 win over Edmonton.

Percival facelift

Percival Molson Stadium, which was in rough shape when the Montreal Alouettes first moved back there in 1997 for a playoff game, is now a far snazzier home after a $29-million facelift and expansion.

Team president Larry Smith, CFL commissioner Mark Cohon and other dignitaries were on hand Thursday to show off the improvements before the first official game since the work was completed.

Capacity has been increased to just over 25,000 from 20,202, with an upper deck added to the south side grandstands of the stadium nestled into the side of Mount Royal on McGill University's downtown campus. There is also a new permanent section replacing bleachers in the east end zone, and 19 new corporate boxes.

"What we're delivering is 100 times better than what we inherited," Smith said. "When you look at the whole environmental element, I think we did a pretty good job of integrating the project into the mountain.

"There will always be complaints, but this is a very nice facility compared to what it was."

The Quebec government put up $19.3 million and the City of Montreal $4 million, with the rest of the funding coming from Alouettes owner Bob Wetenhall.

It remains the CFL's smallest venue, but Smith said the Alouettes need the extra seating to turn a profit and ensure the future of the franchise.

The Alouettes now play only their post-season games at 55,000-seat Olympic Stadium to take advantage of the extra seating and indoor warmth in the late fall.

— Canadian Press

Damon Duval made seven of eight field-goal attempts against Hamilton. Both he and former Alouette Terry Baker share the team record, having each kicked seven field goals in a game twice.

"We've been able to win thanks to the other two phases, defence and special teams, who have really been doing a good job of keeping us in the game," Calvillo said. "We know we have to do a better job of scoring touchdowns.

"Seven field goals — that's great for Damon's stats, but we need more TDs."

Duval accounted for all but two of 16 points in last week's victory in Vancouver. He leads the league with 55 points.

Montreal (3-1) survived a scare when Calvillo was down for several seconds in the second quarter after being grabbed around the left leg by Garrett McIntyre, but he didn't miss a series.

Hamilton (1-3) has lost 12 consecutive regular season games in Montreal, dating back to Oct. 20, 2002.

Kevin Glenn struggled at quarterback under Montreal's defensive pressure and coverage. Glenn completed half of his 32 attempts for 201 yards, but couldn't get the visitors into the end zone.

To boot, Sandro DeAngelis hit a clanger off the left upright in the second quarter to continue his early-season woes. DeAngelis made his other two field goal attempts.

Quinton Porter replaced Glenn in the fourth and hooked up with Arland Bruce for Hamilton's touchdown to make the score 30-14.

"Once [Watkins] scored, I decided to bring Quinton in and give him some playing time and see if we could spark our team," said Hamilton coach Marcel Bellefeuille. "We had opportunities to get in the end zone a couple of times and didn't do it. That's what disappoints me the most."

Bruce had been blanketed much of the game, with Ticats receiver Dave Stala about the lone standout on offence. Stala caught six passes for 84 yards, with Hamilton's ground game virtually non-existent.

The Alouettes looked as if they would put aside their red-zone woes early after Calvillo hooked up with Brian Bratton and Watkins for big gains on the first drive, but it led to the first of many Duval opportunities.

Hamilton had an early chance for a touchdown but De'Andra Cobb fumbled near the goal-line. It was recovered by teammate Simeon Rottier, but the 64-yard drive ended with a short DeAngelis field goal.

"We take pride and we don't like to give up TDs just because they're a yard off," said Montreal defensive lineman JohnBowman. "We want people to know it's not guaranteed just because you're on the one."

The Alouettes appeared to be mounting their best drive when Calvillo went down in the second. It appeared Chris Leak might have to take over from the veteran on the next drive, but Calvillo was back at the helm after a short visit to the locker room.

By that time, the teams had traded field goals for a 9-6 score. Duval hit a single but missed a 51-yard field-goal attempt on the final play of the half.

"The first three games, I was a little unfortunate but I was confident in my swing," Duval said. "Sometimes it takes that first one to get in the groove.

"I missed one. It would have been nice to go 8-for-8."

Calvillo was better after being hobbled than before, going on to complete 28 of 38 passes for 309 yards, with no interceptions.

Bowman stripped Glenn of the ball in the third quarter, and it bounced right into the hands of Ramon Guzman to set up one of Duval's field goals.

Another three points came after Michael Giffin blocked a Hamilton punt later in the quarter.

The Ticats were either covered or getting hit hard by Montreal's linebackers and defensive backs.

Jerald Brown, a hero for Montreal in their comeback win last week in Vancouver, drilled Marquay McDaniel to ensure an incompletion late in the third.

On the next play, Shea Emry was fortunate not to be called after drilling Drisan James after a pass had already fallen to the turf.

The score was 19-6 when Watkins found the end zone, with Montreal successfully adding a two-point convert from S.J. Green.

Montreal has now won 10 straight regular-season games at home, dating back to Oct. 26, 2008.

The Alouettes can keep sole possession of first in the East should the surprising Toronto Argonauts lose at home Friday to B.C.

With files from The Canadian Press