GC102: Game Capsule, Calgary 20, Hamilton 16
Grey Cup Gallop: Stamps champs with win over Ticats
Posted: November 30,2014 09:30PM
Updated: November 30,2014 10:28PM
CFL.ca Staff
#GreyCup
VANCOUVER -- The city of Calgary is finally getting the celebration it deserves.
The league’s most dominant regular season team claimed its first Grey Cup since 2008 on Sunday night in Vancouver, as the Stamps earned a 102nd Grey Cup victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 20-16.
It was an emotional night in Vancouver that ended in heartbreak for the Ticats, after a Brandon Banks punt return touchdown late in the fourth quarter that would have given them the lead was called back on a holding penalty inside the final minute.
Drew Tate ran for two touchdowns and Bo Levi Mitchell was a magician, as the CFL’s highest-scoring team was too much for the upstart Ticats to handle. The Stamps bolted out to a 17-0 first-half lead and never looked back.
While the centre of attention this week was leading rusher and New Westminster native Jon Cornish, Mitchell stole the show, throwing for 334 yards on 25-of-34 passing. His performance was one among the Grey Cup’s greatest, completing 22 of his first 25 passes while marking the third-highest completions streak in Grey Cup history with 10 in a row during the third quarter.
The loss marked the second straight Grey Cup appearance and loss for the Ticats, as the season ends on a disappointing note for the CFL’s youngest team and one that took a key step forward in its development.
After exchanging punts, the Stampeders took the early momentum on what appeared to be a routine second-and-short play just six minutes into the opening quarter. There to meet Grigsby behind the line of scrimmage was Deron Mayo, whose shoulder jarred the ball loose and put it on the turf.
The Ticats managed to recover and punt, but the big defensive play seemed to jolt a Stampeder offence that began the game with a two-and-out.
Standing comfortably behind the league’s top-ranked offensive line, Mitchell took his time and found an open Eric Rogers to his right for a 27-yard gain.
After moving the chains with a second-down completion to Tim St. Pierre, Mitchell went to Lewis on a slip screen up the middle and the Stamps’ veteran receiver really got the crowd roaring, bowling over defenders on the way to a 13-yard gain to the Hamilton goal line.
Finishing off the drive was the CFL’s regular-season rushing touchdowns leader, Tate with a 1-yard run to make it a 7-0 Calgary lead. The sneak capped off a five-play, 55-yard drive taking 3:00 off the clock.
A quick two-and-out by Calgary’s defence got Mitchell and co. back on the field quickly, and the Stamps’ highest-scoring offence went right back to work. With the ball at his own 44, Mitchell connected with Rogers for a 12-yard gain to get things started.
Cornish was stuffed on first down and the Stamps took two procedure penalties as the Ticats’ faithful turned up the volume, but Mitchell, poised and confident in the pocket, again outwaited Hamilton’s secondary before hooking up with Simon Charbonneau-Campeau for a 23-yard pickup.
That play could have been circled right away in the game summary, as the Stampeders looked to turn it into something bigger. Mitchell completed his next two passes to put Calgary on the doorstep, before a pass interference penalty on Brandon Stewart in the end zone moved the ball from the 11 to the one.
Finishing off the drive with his second touchdown of the game was Tate, capping off a 66-yard drive over 4:21 to make it 14-0 Calgary with 14:01 left in the game’s opening half.
With the most of three quarters still to play, the Ticats had plenty of time to get things around. Just in time they started to figure out that stingy Stampeder defence, as Collaros led the offence deep into scoring range after connecting with Banks for a 36-yard pickup on a play he made first with his legs.
But the Ticats couldn’t finish with seven, and that proved costly. The 26-yard field goal attempt by Justin Medlock was blocked by Demonte Bolden, and the Tabbies came away empty-handed.
The 24-year-old Mitchell stayed in tune, again moving the Stampeders into the red zone on a 43-yard completion to Rogers to kick-start the drive. A screen pass to Price got Calgary in nice and close, but the Ticat defence didn’t break this time, forcing an 11-yard chip shot by Rene Paredes to make it 17-0.
That stop for Hamilton’s defence was a big one, as the offence continued its forward momentum. After electing to start at the 35 instead of taking the kickoff, the Ticats quickly moved into scoring position. Then, after not finishing on the last drive, Collaros found Banks streaking in behind coverage for a 45-yard touchdown.
The fastest man on the field finished off a quick scoring drive and a busy first half, putting the Ticats down 17-7 after digging an early hole.
While Tate and his two touchdowns led the Stampede, the 24-year-old native of Katy, Texas was the star of the first half, completing 14-of-17 passes for 220 yards. Collaros meanwhile wasn’t totally outmatched, throwing for 155 yards and a touchdown on 9-of-13 passing.
With a 10-point lead at halftime, the Stampeder offence began chewing up the clock. Mitchell continued his completions streak to 10 straight with another six in a row, until finally an incompletion put an end to the drive.
Still, the Stampeders were able to melt 6:32 off the clock early in the third, extending their lead to 20-7 on a 19-yard field goal by Paredes.
The Ticats were able to cut the deficit to 20-10 early in the fourth quarter on a Medlock field goal, before a big play on defence provided an enormous opportunity to really get back in the game.
With Mitchell in a groove, the Ticats were able to get some pressure on the evasive scrambler. The gambler finally got himself into trouble, forcing a pass into coverage and eventually the hands of Delvin Breaux for the game’s first interception.
Hamilton’s drive stalled in goal-to-go when Grigsby was stuffed on a second-down run, but another Medlock field goal cut the Ticats’ deficit to 20-13 with just 5:35 remaining.
The Ticats’ hungry front-four seemed to apply more and more pressure as the game progressed, including late in the game when it mattered most. A Calgary two-and-out put the ball right back in the hands of the offence, which took over with 3:55 left in the game.
Collaros then scrambled and found Tasker for a 22-yard gain over the middle, before completions to Madu and Bakari Grant moved the Ticats to the Calgary 18 just inside the three-minute warning.
But a batted pass by Lemon and a sack by Corey Mace forced a third Medlock field goal, making it 20-16 with just over two minutes remaining.
Back on the field and needing a first down to ice the game, Mitchell was able to move the chains once on a completion to McDaniel before eventually being stopped short on a second-down completion.
The ensuing punt was a game-changer. The Ticats set up the wall and Banks broke containment, sprinting for what appeared to be a go-ahead touchdown along the right sideline. But the play was called back on a hold, forcing the Ticats to start at their own 12 with 35 seconds remaining.
Pinned in his own end, Collaros was sacked by Lemon -- the eventual back-breaker in a game the Stampeders would narrowly hold on to win, 20-16.
Hamilton's Special teams is the most remarkable thing about the club, and it almost pulled it off again. Hamilton adjusted to some extent in the second half, but not enough to beat a superior Calgary team.
It should be an interesting battle in the East next year, particularly between Hamilton and a Montreal team that will have some continuity of coaching for the first time in several years.
#GreyCup
VANCOUVER -- The city of Calgary is finally getting the celebration it deserves.
The league’s most dominant regular season team claimed its first Grey Cup since 2008 on Sunday night in Vancouver, as the Stamps earned a 102nd Grey Cup victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 20-16.
It was an emotional night in Vancouver that ended in heartbreak for the Ticats, after a Brandon Banks punt return touchdown late in the fourth quarter that would have given them the lead was called back on a holding penalty inside the final minute.
Drew Tate ran for two touchdowns and Bo Levi Mitchell was a magician, as the CFL’s highest-scoring team was too much for the upstart Ticats to handle. The Stamps bolted out to a 17-0 first-half lead and never looked back.
While the centre of attention this week was leading rusher and New Westminster native Jon Cornish, Mitchell stole the show, throwing for 334 yards on 25-of-34 passing. His performance was one among the Grey Cup’s greatest, completing 22 of his first 25 passes while marking the third-highest completions streak in Grey Cup history with 10 in a row during the third quarter.
The loss marked the second straight Grey Cup appearance and loss for the Ticats, as the season ends on a disappointing note for the CFL’s youngest team and one that took a key step forward in its development.
After exchanging punts, the Stampeders took the early momentum on what appeared to be a routine second-and-short play just six minutes into the opening quarter. There to meet Grigsby behind the line of scrimmage was Deron Mayo, whose shoulder jarred the ball loose and put it on the turf.
The Ticats managed to recover and punt, but the big defensive play seemed to jolt a Stampeder offence that began the game with a two-and-out.
Standing comfortably behind the league’s top-ranked offensive line, Mitchell took his time and found an open Eric Rogers to his right for a 27-yard gain.
After moving the chains with a second-down completion to Tim St. Pierre, Mitchell went to Lewis on a slip screen up the middle and the Stamps’ veteran receiver really got the crowd roaring, bowling over defenders on the way to a 13-yard gain to the Hamilton goal line.
Finishing off the drive was the CFL’s regular-season rushing touchdowns leader, Tate with a 1-yard run to make it a 7-0 Calgary lead. The sneak capped off a five-play, 55-yard drive taking 3:00 off the clock.
A quick two-and-out by Calgary’s defence got Mitchell and co. back on the field quickly, and the Stamps’ highest-scoring offence went right back to work. With the ball at his own 44, Mitchell connected with Rogers for a 12-yard gain to get things started.
Cornish was stuffed on first down and the Stamps took two procedure penalties as the Ticats’ faithful turned up the volume, but Mitchell, poised and confident in the pocket, again outwaited Hamilton’s secondary before hooking up with Simon Charbonneau-Campeau for a 23-yard pickup.
That play could have been circled right away in the game summary, as the Stampeders looked to turn it into something bigger. Mitchell completed his next two passes to put Calgary on the doorstep, before a pass interference penalty on Brandon Stewart in the end zone moved the ball from the 11 to the one.
Finishing off the drive with his second touchdown of the game was Tate, capping off a 66-yard drive over 4:21 to make it 14-0 Calgary with 14:01 left in the game’s opening half.
With the most of three quarters still to play, the Ticats had plenty of time to get things around. Just in time they started to figure out that stingy Stampeder defence, as Collaros led the offence deep into scoring range after connecting with Banks for a 36-yard pickup on a play he made first with his legs.
But the Ticats couldn’t finish with seven, and that proved costly. The 26-yard field goal attempt by Justin Medlock was blocked by Demonte Bolden, and the Tabbies came away empty-handed.
The 24-year-old Mitchell stayed in tune, again moving the Stampeders into the red zone on a 43-yard completion to Rogers to kick-start the drive. A screen pass to Price got Calgary in nice and close, but the Ticat defence didn’t break this time, forcing an 11-yard chip shot by Rene Paredes to make it 17-0.
That stop for Hamilton’s defence was a big one, as the offence continued its forward momentum. After electing to start at the 35 instead of taking the kickoff, the Ticats quickly moved into scoring position. Then, after not finishing on the last drive, Collaros found Banks streaking in behind coverage for a 45-yard touchdown.
The fastest man on the field finished off a quick scoring drive and a busy first half, putting the Ticats down 17-7 after digging an early hole.
While Tate and his two touchdowns led the Stampede, the 24-year-old native of Katy, Texas was the star of the first half, completing 14-of-17 passes for 220 yards. Collaros meanwhile wasn’t totally outmatched, throwing for 155 yards and a touchdown on 9-of-13 passing.
With a 10-point lead at halftime, the Stampeder offence began chewing up the clock. Mitchell continued his completions streak to 10 straight with another six in a row, until finally an incompletion put an end to the drive.
Still, the Stampeders were able to melt 6:32 off the clock early in the third, extending their lead to 20-7 on a 19-yard field goal by Paredes.
The Ticats were able to cut the deficit to 20-10 early in the fourth quarter on a Medlock field goal, before a big play on defence provided an enormous opportunity to really get back in the game.
With Mitchell in a groove, the Ticats were able to get some pressure on the evasive scrambler. The gambler finally got himself into trouble, forcing a pass into coverage and eventually the hands of Delvin Breaux for the game’s first interception.
Hamilton’s drive stalled in goal-to-go when Grigsby was stuffed on a second-down run, but another Medlock field goal cut the Ticats’ deficit to 20-13 with just 5:35 remaining.
The Ticats’ hungry front-four seemed to apply more and more pressure as the game progressed, including late in the game when it mattered most. A Calgary two-and-out put the ball right back in the hands of the offence, which took over with 3:55 left in the game.
Collaros then scrambled and found Tasker for a 22-yard gain over the middle, before completions to Madu and Bakari Grant moved the Ticats to the Calgary 18 just inside the three-minute warning.
But a batted pass by Lemon and a sack by Corey Mace forced a third Medlock field goal, making it 20-16 with just over two minutes remaining.
Back on the field and needing a first down to ice the game, Mitchell was able to move the chains once on a completion to McDaniel before eventually being stopped short on a second-down completion.
The ensuing punt was a game-changer. The Ticats set up the wall and Banks broke containment, sprinting for what appeared to be a go-ahead touchdown along the right sideline. But the play was called back on a hold, forcing the Ticats to start at their own 12 with 35 seconds remaining.
Pinned in his own end, Collaros was sacked by Lemon -- the eventual back-breaker in a game the Stampeders would narrowly hold on to win, 20-16.
MrKus
I'm not a fan of either team but Its just not
as exciting a win when you have to depend on a penalty to give you a
championship. It would of been one of the best Grey Cup finishes in
history if the penalty never happened.
December 01, 2014 - 5:08pm
McWattie
Congrats Calgary! CFL, please, you are journalists...If Mitchell had one of the greatest games ever with
25 of 34 for 334yds, no tds and 1 int and Collaros had
25 of 33 for 342yds, 1 td and 0 int the I guess Colleros had an even better greatest game ever, eh! source criticism or in other words history is written by those who write it.
25 of 34 for 334yds, no tds and 1 int and Collaros had
25 of 33 for 342yds, 1 td and 0 int the I guess Colleros had an even better greatest game ever, eh! source criticism or in other words history is written by those who write it.
December 01, 2014 - 4:15pm
113Bradley
While I was cheering for Calgary and feel
that they are the best team in the CFL, I have to feel for Taylor Reed
& the TiCats. The "push" was definitely a penalty which had to be
called by the official, but unfortunately for Reed, even the player who
was pushed (McCartney) admitted that he would not have got to Banks
anyway, and the replay seems to confirm that. Too bad a great game had
to end that way but that's sports. Congrats to the Stamps.
December 01, 2014 - 3:30pm
fizzywigg
Once again the officials take center stage.
This whole past year, game after game there was flag after flag. They
have removed excitement from the game and replace it with --- the
officials! To say Hamilton lost this game because of this one play is
wrong but it was a questionable call at best. The league has to take
their head out of the sand regarding officiating and do something about
it.
December 01, 2014 - 1:51pm
Stampsfan83
It would sure be nice to for once, let a team
win the cup without coming up with excuses or blaming the refs. They
always have and always will be part of the game. Some calls have to be
made by judgement from the refs at full speed. They don't get to see
replays and slow motion of every play like we do. It's not as if the
refs watched Banks run the field, then decided to throw the flag. It
was a stupid penalty to take, and ultimately it cost the TiCats the cup.
December 01, 2014 - 3:49pm
saskfan56
A closer game than what I thought, so hats
off to the Ti-cats for a good game. Calgary was the best team all year
so its no surprise they drink from the Cup now. They better enjoy it,
with an Edmonton team that will be a lot more determined next year, a
Rider team that will have DD back, and a B.C team that will be wanting
to make amends for a disappointing season. Here's looking forward to the
2015 season and the greatest game going.
December 01, 2014 - 10:57am
GoTi-Cats
Even if the 'Cats had won, I would still have
considered the Stamps to be the best team overall in the CFL, just as I
did last year. I admire competence and if I wore a hat, I'd take it off
to the Stamps entire organization. The Ti-Cats ended up with a
marvelous season after a poor start after the reorganization and there's
no reason they can't be even better next season.
December 01, 2014 - 10:57am
GottobeGreen
Thankfully a good game! Congrats to the
Stampeders. The game came down to a couple of penalties. The early
pass interference (good call) and the punt return (pretty good call).
One of the toughest ways to learn. Callaros had a better game the
Mitchell (slightly). Great to see that how evenly matched these teams
ended up. It was anyone's game and that made for some excitement and
drama. Hope Maver is ok. Best hit of the year. Till next year. As
Always Go Riders Go!
December 01, 2014 - 9:38am
tabbiefanmcb
Congratulations to the Stampeders on the Grey
Cup win. Wish it had turned out better for the Ticats but it was a
good game anyway! Enjoy the win. See you in the rematch at THF!
December 01, 2014 - 12:13am
StampsFanUntilIDie
Congrats on the win Stampeders, glad we
managed to cap off a great year with a Grey Cup win! Also, hats off to
the Tiger-Cats, you guys put up a good fight.
November 30, 2014 - 11:49pm
Wheelers31
Congratulations to Calgary. Hamilton's Special teams is the most remarkable thing about the club, and it almost pulled it off again. Hamilton adjusted to some extent in the second half, but not enough to beat a superior Calgary team.
It should be an interesting battle in the East next year, particularly between Hamilton and a Montreal team that will have some continuity of coaching for the first time in several years.
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