CFL.ca
There’s no better way to end your CFL career than as a Grey Cup champion.
And that’s exactly what Russ Jackson accomplished in 1969 in the freezing cold of Montreal’s Autostade as the Ottawa Rough Riders beat their counterparts from Saskatchewan 29-11. The league’s Most Outstanding Player threw a Grey Cup record four touchdown passes, including two to Ron Stewart, to lead the Rough Riders to their second consecutive title.
In a rematch of the 1966 championship, the Saskatchewan Roughriders struck first. Ottawa’s Bill Van Burkleo slipped on a punt attempt in a muddy area of the field, losing the ball to George Reed on the East Riders’ 31. Shortly thereafter, Ron Lancaster connected on a 27-yard touchdown pass to Alan Ford. The Green Riders took a 9-0 lead after Van Burkleo conceded a safety.
On Ottawa’s first touchdown drive in the second quarter Jackson ran the ball up the middle for 18 yards. Another short run of his own set up an 11-yard pass to Jay Roberts, who broke through a couple of would-be tacklers for the score.
Saskatchewan was given great field position again on a 78-yard kickoff return by Ford. But Ottawa’s Don Sutherin recovered Reed’s fumble on the Ottawa 30, ending the threat.
Saskatchewan’s defence blitzed Jackson all game, but it was no match against the Hall of Fame pivot. Wayne Shaw managed to tip one Jackson pass to Stewart, but he was able to corral the ball behind a wall of blockers before getting into the open for an 80-yard score. It put Ottawa in front to stay.
