Hamilton Tiger-Cats 16-20 Calgary Stampeders: 102nd CFL Grey Cup - as it happend!

MVP

The Most Valuable Player is quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, who was 25/34 with 337 yards, no TD’s and an interception. Brandon Banks was an illegal block away from accepting that hardware.

“This is for Calgary!” says Mitchell.

Well, it ain’t for Medicine Hat.

All hail the Stamps!

What an ending to the 102nd Grey Cup! The Ticats looked like they had pulled of an unlikely upset with Brandon Banks returning a punt for a touchdown (click here to watch) - except for an illegal block call which broke the hearts of those loyal fans in Southern Ontario.

The Stampeders hold on to validate a tremendous season, bringing more silverware to head coach Jon Hufnagel and Calgary, who win their seventh Grey Cup. I;m still catching my breathe here.

Tiger-Cats 16-20 Stampeders, 0:13, 4th quarter

Throwing from his own endzone while surrounded, Collaros miraculously finds Fantuz for a first down.

Then he has Fantuz again for nine yards. It’s on the 32.

Tiger-Cats 16-20 Stampeders, 0:30, 4th quarter

Hamilton have the ball way back in their own territory, at their won seven and COLLAROS GOES DOWN! LEMON TAKES DOWN THE TICATES PIVOT!

That’s a loss of nine. Hamilton from their own three now. 2nd & long.

Tiger-Cats 16-20 Stampeders, 0:35, 4th quarter

Banks has room, he’s swooping around, making use of the whole field- OH MY GOD, HE’S GONNA GO!!!!!! HE GOES TO THE HOUSE!!!!!!

But there’s a penalty.

Taylor Reed, an illegal block. It gets called back. WOW! Breathe deep.

Tiger-Cats 16-20 Stampeders, 0:59, 4th quarter

Mitchell is looking for Cunningham, and has him, but he trapped it - incomplete. Now a big play coming u. Mitchell, drops back, fires and has a man - it’s Marquay McDaniel how has room and a first down after a 12-yard gain!

Enormous play right there. Now Calgary put it on the ground - Anthony Parker has his first touch of the game, three yards. Now it’s 2nd & 7 - Mitchell has McDaniel but he’s wrapped up after a gain of just three yards.

Calgary to punt and Hamilton will have their shot at the title right here.

Tiger-Cats 13-20 Stampeders, 2:21, 4th quarter

Collaros is incomplete looking for Sinkfield. Now it’s 2nd & 10 and Collaros goes down! COREY MACE WITH A HUGE SACK!

Here comes the field goal unit after Calgary hold!

Email:

Walt Balenovich says:

I grew up in Niagara, and used to go to old Ivor Wynne stadium. The Cats have a history of playing hard right to the end. We need to force OT !!

Tiger-Cats 13-20 Stampeders, 2:51, 4th quarter

But who will get the Cup?

Hamilton are on the move - Collaros finds Tasker for a gain of 22! No he finds Mossis Madu for a shorter gain of four. It’s 2nd & 6, big spot right here.

The Grey Cup

It’s on the field, the RCMP have brought it out - I LOVE THAT!

Tiger-Cats 13-20 Stampeders, 4:35, 4th quarter

Cornish is stuffed and he continues to be stymied by the line of Hamilton. Now it’s 2nd & 7 - huge play coming up here. Mitchell throws into double coverage looking for Rogers and it’s incomplete! Calgary have to punt, so it gets a little tighter now for the Stampeders.

Banks has it, dekes and heads for the near sideline for a gain of 18 up to the Hamilton 41.

Email

G Easton writes:

The call: objectionable conduct. Only thing better: conduct unbecoming. Which doesn’t exist. But should.

Tiger-Cats 10-20 Stampeders, 5:45, 4th quarter

Grigsby takes it down to the two on first & goal.

Then they give it to Grigsby again and he’s WRAPPED UP BY BISHOP FOR A LOSS! HUGE DEFENSIVE PLAY!

Third down now and Hamilton have to settle for a field goal attempt...

Tiger-Cats 10-20 Stampeders, 6:59, 4th quarter

Collaros finds Sinkfield on the far sideline for five yards and flags fly. It’s a ticky-tacky objectionable conduct call that adds yardage and sets up Hamilton inside the five-yard line!

Tiger-Cats 10-20 Stampeders, 7:23, 4th quarter

There’s Andy Fantuz with a huge catch for a first down to keep the Ticats on the move at the Calgary 28.

Here is Fantuz AGAIN! A jumping catch a few yards from scrimmage for a gain of eight this time. That makes it 2nd & 2 and now Grigsby runs left for a first down! at the 13! What a drive from Hamilton!

Tiger-Cats 10-20 Stampeders, 9:14, 4th quarter

Collaros hits Andy Fantuz for nine, and then the QB keeps it for the first down. Hamilton are down to the Stampeders 39.

Collaros is moving, backwards and towards the near sideline, taking some route while he’s at it. finally he finds Sinkfield, but he’s out of bounds. So now it’s 2nd & 10.

Tiger-Cats 10-20 Stampeders, 11:25 4th quarter

Hamilton bring pressure and Mitchell throws it away. Big 2nd & 10 from the Stamps 35 coming up.

Tiger-Cats 7-20 Stampeders, 12:55 4th quarter

Huge first down play - Luke Tasker has a pass over the middle to keep the drive going for Hamilton. Now Collaros is throwing again, hanging in a crowded pocket and finding Samuel Giguere on the near sideline for 16 yards.

More...Mossis Madu this time, taking Collaros’ offering, a little outlet pass right for 13.

Hamilton are moving along here.

Tiger-Cats 7-20 Stampeders, 0:18 3rd quarter

Mitchell under pressure, steps up in the pocket, and wiggles free to get back to the line of scrimmage. Then McDaniel is done for illegal use of the hands on a screen play that had first down yardage but now does not.

Cornish runs for just three yards - he has been a non-factor tonight but somewhat incredibly, it hasn’t made much of a difference for Calgary.

An incomplete play later, the punting unit is back on the field - Hamilton hold and will have another shot to get back in this game.

Banks gets a yard on the punt return and the Ticats start on their own 44.

Tiger-Cats 7-20 Stampeders, 2:48 3rd quarter

Collaros is down! That’s Freddie Bishop on the sack. Then Collaros finds Sinkfield for six yards, but that’s short of first down yardage and Hamilton have to punt.

Calgary begin from their own 25 and I think it’s safe to say that the Ticats need to make something happen here...and that means stopping Mitchell.

Tiger-Cats 7-17 Stampeders, 4:30 3rd quarter

Mitchell is incomplete on 2nd & 5 - Brandon Stewart got a hand on it! Now what? Here comes the field goal unit.

Tiger-Cats 7-17 Stampeders, 4:50 3rd quarter

Play action, a helmet flies, a flag appears and Mitchell throws it away. The penalty is holding on Pierre Lavertu so now Calgary face 2nd & long.

No problem, Mitchell has Cunningham to go over 300 yards for the day - it’s a gain of 16 and they’re on the Ticats 32...or at least they were.

THERE GOES MITCHELL - he takes off, running left to the sideline! It’s a 15 yard gain and now they’re down to the 16!

Tiger-Cats 7-17 Stampeders, 8:00 3rd quarter

Mitchell is under pressure in the pocket but has just enough time to find Marquay McDaniel for 12 yards and a first down.

Then Mitchell continues to share the wealth - Cunnigham, Price and Rogers, who just can’t be stopped, combine for 26 yards of receptions - the Stamps are up to the Hamilton 40 and on the move...

One more halftime note...

That is a reasonable thought...

Tiger-Cats 7-17 Stampeders, 10:52 3rd quarter

Collaros is on the run and he is jettisoned out of bounds at the 55 - so that penalty just takes all the air out of the Ticats momentum as they have to kick it away. It’s a good punt though, Calgary will work from their own 15.

Tiger-Cats 7-17 Stampeders, 11:15 3rd quarter

Bakari Grant is the target over the middle for a first down, but there’s a flag.

Sinkfield is called for illegal use of his hands, and that’s a big blow for Hamilton. Now it’s 2nd & 14...

Tiger-Cats 7-17 Stampeders, 12:12 3rd quarter

Tasker, a six yard reception sets up 2nd & 4 - can Hamilton keep the mojo?

Tiger-Cats 7-17 Stampeders, 12:12 3rd quarter

Mitchell steps back and fires, hitting Price, who gets more yardage when Brandon Stewart slips on the play. A gain of 20 yards.

Then Hamilton close it down, wrapping up Price on a second down later in the drive play forcing a punt.

Now Banks has it on the return and he’s loose! It’s a 46-yard return up to the Hamilton 54, and the Calgary Punter Rob Maver got leveled by Justin Hickman on that play! (watch it here).

WOW!!

Who says punters don’t get dirty. The Ticats have momentum here, finally.

Who will take the cake in the second half?

It’s been turnovers that have done in Calgary in big spots over the past five years - can they hang on to the ball and win their first Grey Cup since 2008?

Imagine Dragons

The reviews of the halftime show are in.

True enough - not contrived, just a gig with just enough bells and whistles for the occasion.

Halftime entertainment

Imagine Dragons have taken to the stage in Vancouver, but this now infamous scrap between old CFL rivals, Joe Kapp and Angelo Mosca, is way more fun.

For all the juicy details, click here.

Stats

Bo Levi Mitchell is tearing it up - 14/17 for 222 yards. Thanks to that 45-yard touchdown throw, Collaros is now 9/13 for 154 yards, not too shabby. Jon Cornish has been held to just seven yards on the ground. Tate has three yards, but two TD’s! Eric Rogers has 84 yards in catch yardage.

Meanwhile, Grigsby has 50 yards on eight carries and Banks has that big reception and 80 yards on two plays.

No turnovers...yet.

Email:

John Goldstein writes:

I’ve just finished watching the Green Bay - Patriots game and turned over to the Grey Cup which I’ve never watched before. Are the end zones bigger or it it a trick of perspective?

Nope, they’re 20 yards long, and they used to be 25!

Green Bay beat New England 26-21, in case anyone cares.

Tiger-Cats 7-17 Stampeders, 0:30, 2nd quarter

Now the Ticat D can’t let them down here, and they don’t, holding on 2nd and short! Calgary are stopped after two plays and Hamilton will get the ball back!

Banks has the punt but he’s wrapped up immediately, and the Ticats will start inside their own 25.

Tiger-Cats 0-14 Stampeders, 2:43, 2nd quarter

Calgary go for it on third down and Drew Tate, who already has two TD’s has just enough yardage. The measurement says he has the first down by a nose. That’s a killer for Hamilton as the Stamps drive continues...

Email

G Easton writes:

Hamilton can’t sustain a drive and if they didn’t have bad luck they’d have no luck at all. Stampeders are getting it done all sorts of ways. Scary efficiency and effectiveness.

Tiger-Cats 0-14 Stampeders, 6:00, 2nd quarter

Collaros is running for his life as that banged up Calgary defensive line get to the Hamilton pivot who just throws it away on second down. Drive stalled. Here comes the field goal unit...

Tiger-Cats 0-14 Stampeders, 6:45, 2nd quarter

Samuel Giguere has an eight-yard catch, Grigsby has a first down run, and the Cats are on the move...

Now Collaros, a quick two step drop and a zippy pass to Luke Tasker for 10, that’s another first down.

Brandon Banks is the target this time - Collaros is under pressure but he finds the speedy receiver for a big gain - 35 yards...he was pretty open as well. Is this a Hamilton offensive awakening?

Tiger-Cats 0-14 Stampeders, 10:14, 2nd quarter

Mitchell, under just a bit of pressure, throws to the near sideline in the direction of Lewis, out of play and the Tiger-Cats force a punt. Good sequence there from Hamilton who are desperate for some flow on offense.

Banks has it on the return - look at him go! He gets a few blocks, one of which is illegal. That means that a decent return is brought back 10 yards and the Ticats will start on their own 23.

Tiger-Cats 0-14 Stampeders, 10:35, 2nd quarter

Mitchell, a little floating screen pass to on Cornish, who has been quiet - he picks up a first down after a gain of 15.

Cornish, on the ground this time, into the line for five. Big second down here for Hamilton...

Tiger-Cats 0-14 Stampeders, 11:57, 2nd quarter

Collaros finds Andy Fantuz on the far hash for 22 yards - that will get the juices flowing.

This won’t - Collaros, wrapped up after a three-yard gain. Big 2nd & 7 here - Collaros, has time, runs to his right, fires incomplete!

Another stalled drive here as the Ticats have to punt again.

Cunnigham is taken down inside his own 20 - good punt there. Now the Hamilton D need to make a play.

Tiger-Cats 0-14 Stampeders, 13:51, 2nd quarter

Brandon Banks gives Hamilton fans something to believe in with a 26-yard return. Let’s see what they can do here.

Tiger-Cats 0-7 Stampeders, 14:30, 2nd quarter

Mitchell throws into the endzone and Brandon Stewart is all over Eric Rodgers in the corner. I mean, Stewart didn’t even attempt to pull back. So after that pass interference, now the Stamps are at the one. Goal line stand anyone?

Tiger-Cats 0-7 Stampeders, 3:33, 1st quarter

Juwon Simpson is all over Grigsby who is wrapped up for a two yard loss. Then Sigfield can’t come up with a Collaros pass on the near sideline, and he should have - it was right through his hands. Now Hamilton have to punt right away after a two and out.

Calgary begin from their own 44.

Tiger-Cats 0-7 Stampeders, 4:56, 1st quarter

Let’s see how Hamilton respond here. Brandon Banks takes his crazy legs up to his own 29-yard-line, that’s a return of 19 yards.

Drew Tate’s TD has Argos fans celebrating everywhere.

Tiger-Cats 0-0 Stampeders, 5:28, 1st quarter

Mitchell getting into a groove, Eric Rogers is wide, and I mean wide open for a gain of 29, then he hits Marquay McDaniel for a gain of seven more. Tim St. Pierre takes a Mitchell pass on second down for five more to the Ticats 15.

Stamps threatening.

Tiger-Cats 0-0 Stampeders, 8:12, 1st quarter

Wow! Chaos! Grigsby fumbles after Deron Mayo pokes it away and the ball is hit backwards by Brandon Smith of Calgary. It’s eventually recovered by Brian Simmons of Hamilton, which really is hard to believe considering that ball was surrounded by Stamps. It’s a loss of 29 on the play, and lucky Hamilton kick it away to the Calgary 49.

Missed opportunity there for the Stampeders, they should have picked that ball up and run in for six.

Tiger-Cats 0-0 Stampeders, 8:45, 1st quarter

Collaros is in the shotgun, the way way way back shotgun - he finds Mossis Madu on the far side of the field for nine yards. That sets up second and short.

Tiger-Cats 0-0 Stampeders, 9:32, 1st quarter

Cornish takes the handoff and there’s nothing doing from the Stamps’ star running back. That sets up a 2nd & long - Mitchell, steps up and fires, he’s got Eric Rogers for a first down...or not. Calgary are flagged for offsides. So it’s 2nd & longer - Mitchell faces pressure and he has to throw it away!

Here comes the Calgary punting unit, and already we’re seeing that solid pass rush from Hamilton.

Brandon Banks, who set a CFL record with two punt returns against Montreal last week is back to take the punt return from Rene Paredes, but the ball is caught by Sinkfield instead. He takes it seven yards and Hamilton will take over at their own 48.

Tiger-Cats 0-0 Stampeders, 11:22, 1st quarter

There goes Grigsby, cutting around Stamp defenders - that’s a gain of 13 yards up to the Ticats 52-yard line - now I am not used to writing that.

The drive stalls after Hamilton are stuffed on second down - not used to writing that either. Justin Medlock punts it down to Sederrick Cunningham at the 22. Here come Calgary.

Coin toss reaction

So what I saw really did happen - I knew I wasn’t crazy. I mean I am but...

G Easton confirms the events:

I don’t recall ever see a team defer to the other team after having won the toss. Classy, Calgary. Well played.

Is that just crazy confidence from Calgary? Wild stuff already! I knoew this Grey Cup was good!

Coin toss

Hamilton call tails, but it’s heads. Calgary differ and Hamilton choose to receive...at least that’s what I think happened. Let’s see if the Ticats can take it to the favorites.

Predictions

I’m going with the upset - Hamilton 34 - Calgary 30, because big defense can do damage to big offense, and that’s the story I’m sticking with.

Mr G Easton writes:

My head says Calgary. But, c’mon you want to die for a cause you believe in, not playing the percentages. Go TiCats. I imagine if this comes to pass it will be a close run thing for Hamilton, so let’s say by 3 pts. Keep it close, ‘cats.

National Anthem

Here’s Nikki Yanofsky to sing O Canada for the BC Place crowd. She’s no stranger to the big stage, having performed at the 2010 Winter Olympi cGames opening ceremony, also in Vancouver.

Email

Tim Robinson writes from far far away:

It’s Monday morning in Kuala Lumpur (my present location) the this expat Canadian is glad to find a way to follow the game while hard at work. It’s disappointing the game is indoors I remember sitting in the stands in McMahon in more clothes than I currently own trying to stay warm in -30^o C . Real Grey Cup weather. Go Stamps!

And we’re glad to provide this service Tim. Good morning.

And here they are....

...your Western Division Champion Calgary Stampeders!

OK, I know it’s not quite like being there.

The Ticats sent out their defense, so the Stamps have their offense introduced. They also seem quite excited to be there. It’s good to know all participants are willing and fired up to play this 102nd Grey Cup!

The rouge/single

CFL fans, please excuse me for one moment. Newcomers, you need to know there is a one-point play available that is not an extra point. It is called a “rouge” or a “single.”

Here is how it happens:

• The defense/receiving team are unable to return a punt or a missed field goal out of the endzone.
  

• The defense/receiving team allow a punt or a missed field goal to roll out of the endzone and out of bounds.

It means we could have insane plays like this today - enjoy...

And here they are....

...your Eastern Division Champion Hamilton Tiger Cats!

OK, I know it’s not quite like being there.

The Ticats are being introduced one at a time, taking to the field (turf) and seem quite excited about it.

The low angle camera work following the players confirms that the roof at BC Place is closed, which we knew, but now that we see it we can believe it.

Flag waving

The Canadian Flag is being escorted on to the field...even though it’s surrounded by a lot of other Canadian flags so I’m not sure what makes that particular one special. Now the CFL Commissioner, Mark Cohon, who is leaving the job shortly, hands the Grey Cup off to a pair of Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who walk it to the middle of the field. Pageantry at it’s best in Vancouver...and that’s when ESPN goes to break. Thanks fellas.

66 years later...

In 1948 the Calgary Stampeders made their first trip to the Grey Cup, and brought their horses with them, walking through the lobby of the fancy Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

Now they’re at it again, although this time it’s just a Holiday Inn.

Who doesn’t like a little splash of color?

Are you ready for this?

Defense...

...both teams have one, but the Stamps’ are beaten up a bit, specifically, their line. The pass rushing Charles Hughes missed a good chunk of the season, then suffered an ankle sprain against Edmonton. DeQuin Evans is also out with a torn calf muscle (ouch!), and so Jon Hufnagel has to mix and match a bit. They’ve got the depth to get away with it though - we could see Demonte’ Bolden and Domincan born lineman Freddie Bishop, and there aren’t too many of those around.

Hufnagel told the Calgary Sun:

I feel OK. We’ve played with moving parts — I’m not going to call them spare parts, because they’re not — and they’ve all played. Demonte’ has been a starter and Bishop has been a starter, so I’m fine.

Weather

Baby, it’s cold outside - freezing in fact. But inside BC Place, conditions are ideal. Part of me wants to see the teams just deal with each other rather than subpar weather conditions. The other part wants -17, fire, brimstone and FOG! Check out this clip from the 1962 Fog Bowl, where visibility was so bad they had to stop the game and pick it up on Monday. Yes, that’s right, it took two days to play out the Grey Cup (The Bombers beat the Ticats) - take that Super Bowl!