Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/608166
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2015 GREY CUP PLAYBOOK 9 1981 EDMONTON ESKIMOS 26 - OTTAWA ROUGH RIDERS 23 One of the greatest David and Goliath struggles in Grey Cup history. The Esks entered the game seeking an unprecedented fourth straight championship and having won a league-record 14 games during the regular season. Ottawa, meanwhile, had won just five regular-season games and were 22.5 point underdogs heading into the Grey Cup. Led by rookie QB J.C. Watts, Ottawa went toe-to-toe with Edmonton in a game that wasn't decided until Esks kicker Dave Cutler booted a 27- yard field goal with three seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. "That was a very memorable game because of events with one team so dramatically favoured," Irving says. 1984 WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS 47 - HAMILTON TIGER-CATS 17 A game Bomber fans will likely never forget. It marked the first time in 22 years the Big Blue captured a Grey Cup and they did it in dramatic fashion. After spotting Hamilton a 14-3 first quarter lead, the Bombers came roaring back and outscored the Ti-Cats 44-3 the rest of the way, including a Grey Cup record 27 points in the second quarter. The Bombers were led offensively by QB Tom Clements and running back Willard Reaves while cornerback David Shaw, linebacker Tyrone Jones and nose tackle Stan Mikawos anchored a ferocious defence. "That game was memorable because it ended the drought and it was the first time the (Grey Cup) was held in Edmonton," Irving says. "Of the first 10 Grey Cups I went to that one really stood out." 1989 SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS 43 - HAMILTON TIGER-CATS 40 Often referred to as one of the greatest games in Grey Cup history. Saskatchewan won it on a 35-yard Dave Ridgeway field goal with two seconds remaining on the clock. It remains the highest scoring game in Grey Cup history, with the two teams combining for 83 points and more than 800 yards of total offence. The second quarter alone featured five consecutive drives by both teams that resulted in touchdowns. "That was probably the most exciting Grey Cup I've ever seen," recalls Irving, who has attended 43 Grey Cups. 1994 B.C. LIONS 26 - BALTIMORE STALLIONS 23 For the first time in its history, the Grey Cup was an international event when Baltimore became the first U.S.-based team to vie for a CFL championship. The game had more drama than an episode of The Young and the Restless. The big, bad Stallions were led by head coach Don Matthews and featured an all-American lineup that most figured would easily handle a Lions squad that still had to dress 20 non-imports. Fittingly, it was Canadian kicker Lui Passaglia who booted the winning field goal with no time left on the clock in the fourth quarter to give the Leos the win and earn Most Valuable Canadian honours. "I don't think there will ever be a game with that kind of build- up again," says Tait, who lists the '94 Grey Cup as his favourite of all time. "All through the year there was an us versus them mentality. So many people talked about there being an uneven playing field. It was a real chance for people to wave the flag." 1995 BALTIMORE STALLIONS 37 - CALGARY STAMPEDERS 20 While the CFL's U.S. experiment only lasted a couple of seasons, it did have some lasting effects. Baltimore became the first and only U.S.- based team to hoist the Grey Cup. QB Tracy Ham and running back Mike Pringle paved the way for Baltimore in what would end up being the last game the Stallions would ever play. The franchise moved to Montreal the following season and became the reborn Alouettes. 2009 MONTREAL ALOUETTES 28 - SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS 27 Even football fans who love to hate the Riders had to sympathize with the Gang Green after this one. Saskatchewan appeared to have won the game after Montreal kicker Damon Duval missed on a 43-yard field goal attempt with no time remaining in regulation time. However, the Riders were flagged for having too many men on the field and Duval redeemed himself by splitting the uprights from 33 yards out to give the Als a 28-27 win. "The image that stands out in my mind is that great TV shot of (then Riders coach) Paul LaPolice in the booth and when the 13th man was called him taking off his headset and slamming it down," Tait says. "For the game to end the way it did was unbelievable." [ 1984 - Winnipeg Blue Bombers play the Hamilton Ti-Cats in the Grey Cup final Nov. 18, 1984. (CP PHOTO/ FILE) 1989 - Saskatchewan kicker Dave Ridgway (36) kicks the winning field goal as Mike Anderson (66) and Glen Suitor (27) watch the ball go through the uprights during the Grey Cup final against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Toronto on Nov 26, 1989. Ti-Cats star Tony Champion had two touchdowns despite playing with broken ribs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz 1977 - Edmonton Eskimos' Dan Kepley (42) and Joe Hollimon (29) chase Montreal Alouettes' John O'Leary as Eskimos' Herb Dobbins holds on during Grey Cup action in Montreal on Nov. 27, 1977. THE CANADIAN PRESS 1994 - BC Lions' Ryan Hanson pours for Denny Chronopoulos and Doug Hocking uncorks a bottle of bubbly. (CP PHOTO)