The Ottawa REDBLACKS battled tough opposition and tough field conditions, ultimately falling to the Calgary Stampeders 27-16 in the 106th Grey Cup Sunday in Edmonton.
Despite a slow start, Trevor Harris went 20-for-38 for 288 yards with one touchdown pass. RJ Harris, Brad Sinopoli and Greg Ellingson each had four receptions.
The REDBLACK defence came up clutch after a couple of Ottawa turnovers, but ultimately had difficulty stopping the Stamps offence in the red zone. Jonathan Rose and Sherrod Baltimore each had interceptions, and Kyries Hebert led the way with eight tackles.
Neither offence could get going in the first quarter, with both quarterbacks throwing early interceptions. Calgary got on the board first with a quick hitter to Don Jackson, giving the Stamps a 7-0 lead, which would hold through the first quarter.
The REDBLACKS got on the board early in the second quarter with a short Lewis Ward field goal, only to have Calgary respond with a touchdown from Bo Levi Mitchell to Lemar Durant. A Rene Paredes convert made the score 14-3.
Ottawa clawed themselves back in to the game late in the second quarter. Harris aired it out for Julian Feoli-Gudino, who fought off two defenders to break the plane in an impressive individual effort. JC Beaulieu caught the two-point convert, giving the REDBLACKS life.
Terry Williams took a punt 96 yards to the end zone at the end of the first half turned the game on its head, making the score 21-11 heading in to halftime.
The REDBLACKS started the second half on a good note. A positive drive led to a Ward field goal, but the Stampeders responded with a pair of field goals to take a 27-14 advantage.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Ottawa drove deep in to the Calgary red zone and decided to go for it on a manageable third down. The pass was incomplete, giving the Stampeders the ball and maintaining their two-possession lead.
The fourth quarter was a struggle for both offences. Ottawa tried desperately to cut in to the Calgary lead, but two Stampeder interceptions ended the furious comeback attempt.
The Calgary Stampeders win their eighth Grey Cup in franchise history by a 27-16 score.
GAME NOTES
William Powell carried the ball 16 times for 94 yards, adding another eight through the air… Terry Williams’ punt return touchdown was the first such touchdown in the Grey Cup since 1996. It was also the longest punt return touchdown in the history of the championship game… Williams’ punt return were the only points scored by non-Canadian.
SCORING SUMMARY
First Quarter
CGY – TD Mitchell to Jackson (Paredes conv.) – 4:49
Second Quarter
OTT – FG Ward – 12:50
CGY – TD Mitchell to Durant (Paredes conv.) – 8:47
OTT – TD Harris to Feoli-Gudino (Harris to Beaulieu 2-pt. conv.) – 2:25
CGY – Punt ret. TD Williams (Paredes conv.). – 0:01
Third Quarter
OTT – FG Ward – 7:20
CGY – FG Paredes – 3:53
Four Quarter
CGY – FG Paredes – 12:25
OTT – Safety – 0:32
Attendance
55,819
