HAMILTON (CP) - Arland Bruce III made sure Damon Allen could really soak it all in and relish becoming the most prolific passer in professional football history.

Allen broke former CFL star Warren Moon's record of 70,553 yards with a 29-yard TD strike toBruce as the Toronto Argonauts throttled the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 40-6 on Monday night before an enthusiastic Ivor Wynne Stadium gathering of 28,891.

Allen, 43, came in needing 165 yards to break Moon's record. Early in the third quarter, Allen had whittled that down to 17 yards when he hit a streaking Bruce on a shovel pass up the middle. Bruce weaved his way downfield, breaking at least two tackles before scoring at 5:02 of the third, putting Toronto ahead 11-3.

''If it was just a catch and he got tackled and was in play, it still would've been 5-3 and my mindset would've been on the next play and what we would've done,'' Allen said. ''The fact that we extended the lead a bit and had a little room allowed me to relax and enjoy the moment.''

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Especially considering Allen wasn't aware he had broken the record until hearing it over the public address system.




''I had three officials come to me and I couldn't really understand why they were coming over and they were saying, `We want the ball, you broke the record,''' Allen said. ''I tried to go to Arland to get the ball and he's saying, `No, no, it's mine.'

''So I told him they (officials) wanted the ball because it was the record-breaking ball and he didn't want to give it up. I don't blame him, really.''

Bruce figured the shovel pass counted as a running play and had plans to keep the ball for himself, that is, until learning of its significance.

''Had I known, I would've loved to hand it to him but I thought it was a run,'' Bruce said. ''The referee came to me, (teammate) Tony Miles said something to me and Damon came over and said, `That's the record ball,' and I'm saying, `Is it?'

''I'm blessed to be part of history. It's a beautiful thing.''

While the officials frantically tried to pry the ball from Bruce, the Argos streamed on to the field to congratulate Allen, who after a few minutes then made his way to centre field to join CFL commissioner Tom Wright, Argos co-owners David Cynamon and Howard Sokolowski and former NFL head coach Steve Mariucci, who was Allen's quarterback coach at Cal State Fullerton. Wright presented the game ball to Allen, who received a loud ovation from the Ivor Wynne Stadium faithful.

''You just enjoy the celebration,'' Allen said. ''I don't think I'll fully appreciate the things I've done until I actually stop playing.

''For me, I'm just playing a game and if I can keep it that simple, then I can really appreciate the things I've done once my career is over and not take it for granted. I still feel when I step on the field I can be a dominant player, that's why I still play.''

And as far as Allen is concerned, his record-breaking pass to Bruce was a work of art, even if his contribution was throwing a five-yard toss to Bruce and the elusive receiver did the rest.

''It really doesn't matter to me,'' Allen said. ''Sometimes you can't always have the glory pass as much as you want to.

''I think that pass was beautiful.''

Allen finished 16-of-24 passing for 207 yards, boosting his career total to 70,596. Bruce hauled in a TD pass from backup Michael Bishop as Toronto blew open a close game with a 28-point outburst in the fourth quarter.

''It feels good to have one touchdown ball to give to my son,'' Bruce said with a chuckle.

The Ticats also helped the Argos' cause, too, committing nine turnovers (five interceptions, three fumbles and once on downs).

Toronto will honour Allen prior to Saturday's rematch with Hamilton at Rogers Centre. Moon and Allen's older brother, Marcus, will both be on hand. The Argos have also designated Saturday as Damon Allen Day and his grandson, Justice, will handle pre-game kickoff duties.<

Hamilton coach Ron Lancaster, who was Allen's coach with in Edmonton in 1993-'94, could only marvel on Allen's maturation as a CFL quarterback. Early in his career, Allen would often run first then look for the pass.

But as Allen has got older, he has become a master of using his legs to buy himself time to look downfield for an open receiver and often only taking off as a last option.

''Once Damon learned to play quarterback, then he could read the defence and he could stay in there and throw and he ran around to make the throws,'' Lancaster said. ''He's put a lot of time and effort into learning to be a football player and to be a good quarterback and it shows.''

Allen achieved another milestone Monday night. His 11-yard completion to Dave Azzi with just over five minutes remaining was the 5,000th of his illustrious career.

Dude was 43?? Do you hit with pillows instead of shoulder pads up there??

I saw this on ESPN. I wasn't really impressed.

Warren Moon is the man. Jesus, look at what he did AFTER throwing for 70,000 CFL yards..

Warren Moon is the man. Jesus, look at what he did AFTER throwing for 70,000 CFL yards..

Michael Bishop plays in the CFL huh?

If a record is broken in the CFL and nobody is around to hear it, is it really broken?

Do you think Peyton Manning will really give a crap about breaking Damon Allen's passing record?