Grey Cup roundup

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/11/2015 (3605 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THREE PHASES

▼ OFFENCE

Eskimos QB Mike Reilly was the game’s MVP, completing 21 of 35 passes for 269 yards and two scores while also leading the Eskimos with 10 carries for 66 yards. His game came just as advertised: he was mistake-free, made smart decisions and distributed the ball to eight different receivers. That’s solid QB work and leadership.

▼ DEFENCE

Edmonton’s defence got speed-bagged to start the game — Henry Burris & Co. drove the offence to two TDs on their first two possessions — but was absolutely stifling in the second half, limiting the Redblacks to 93 yards total offence. Edmonton managed two sacks and held when Ottawa got the ball back with 3:12 left in the game and protecting a six-point lead.

▼ SPECIAL TEAMS

The Eskimos were able to survive Sean Whyte whiffing on two field-goal tries and a first-quarter kickoff fumble by Kendial Lawrence that set up Ottawa’s second TD. Patrick Watkins, one of Edmonton’s starting cornerbacks, not only led his team in tackles, but chipped in with two more on special teams.

THE HERO

It’s too easy to hand the ball to Reilly, who was fabulous. But the Eskmos, even including the awful start, were the better team and the better-prepared team. That warrants a tip of the hat to head coach Chris Jones, who is 26-10 in two seasons, is a two-time runner-up as Coach of the Year and now has a Grey Cup ring as the boss. No wonder the Saskatchewan Roughriders are rumoured to have him atop their GM/head coach wish list.

THE GOAT

Ottawa corner Brandon Sermons was fingered for a late pass-interference penalty that set up the game-winning TD. A game isn’t decided on just one play, but this one was mammoth.

NUMBERS GAME

14 — The number of Grey Cups for the Eskimos franchise, and first since 2005.

7/118 — Penalties and the yardage total, taken by the Redblacks.

1 — Catches by Brad Sinopoli, one of Ottawa’s four 1,000-yard receivers.

10 — The winning streak by the Eskimos en route to the Grey Cup; eight straight to finish the regular season followed by the West Final win over Calgary and Sunday’s Grey Cup.

TOP CANUCK

Edmonton receiver Shamawd Chambers had two catches for 49 yards and no touchdowns. Translation: none of the homegrowns jumped off the page, although a little love probably should have gone to the Canucks along the Esks’ offensive and defensive lines.

NOTEBOOK:

The attendance of 36,634 was the second-smallest since 1975… Edmonton’s 14th championship now trails only Toronto, which has 16… The winner’s share for the Eskimos is $16,000 while the Redblacks picked up $8,000 each… After falling behind 13-zip, Edmonton outscored Ottawa 26-7… The game-time temperature was -5 C, with a wind chill of -10 C… Edmonton remains unbeaten against Ottawa under Chris Jones, having won four regular-season games over the last two seasons and now the 103rd Grey Cup… Next year’s Grey Cup will be staged at BMO Field in Toronto… The CFL has not had a repeat champion since the Montreal Alouettes won their second in a row in 2010… The West Division has now captured the last three Grey Cups.

QUOTEABLE

Ottawa’s last appearance in the Grey Cup was 1981 and their last victory still dates back to the 1976 win over Saskatchewan.

“It’s not anger it’s disappointment,” said Ottawa head coach Rick Campbell. “This is definitely not a business to be in if you don’t like highs and lows. That’s part of what you sign up for when you’re in this business. But obviously heartbroken, disappointed, all those things. I’m so proud of those guys and so proud to coach them. And that’s what make it so disappointing to get this far and not get it done.”

— Ed Tait