That was some ending to the 97th Grey Cup, eh? Heck, it was so crazy it even got a mention on ESPN’S Around the Horn. A record six million viewers on TSN/RDS clicked in to catch the game and they were treated to a great football battle.
The Montreal Alouettes, the best team in the CFL with a 16-3 record, overcame a 16 point deficit with under 11 minutes to go in the 4th quarter to beat the Saskatchewan Roughriders 28-27 earning its 6th Grey Cup title.
Saskatchewan dominated the first half and were in full control of the game both on offense and defense. For Montreal fans, it was a disturbing deja-vu all over again. Another Grey Cup loss was on the way under the Alberta sky. We kept hearing about nerves. But this is a team in its seventh Grey Cup final since 2000! By now one would think they’d be over the stage freight.
Finally. Redemption.
At 27-11, it looked like the Riders were going to win their 4th Grey Cup while the Als were on their way to dropping a whopping sixth final since 2000. Then, the defense led by safety Chip Cox, held the rest of the way. QB Anthony Calvillo suddenly became “money” as he orchestrated two key touchdowns, with the help of Avon Colburne, and a two-point convert (another two-point convert was thwarted by Saskatchewan even though it looked like interference took place) to bring the score to 27-25. In fact, he couldn’t do it alone as the entire offense stepped up and converted big plays. One more drive was needed and he delivered setting up a possible game winning field goal from 43 yards out for kicker Damon Duval.
Solid all year with a sure foot, Duval struggled all night – even shanking a seven yard punt in the first half. It was all on him with seconds to go in the game.
He missed. Jubilation in Saskatchewan! Break out the ‘Corner Gas’ DVD’s! But wait! Flags were hurled all over the field! Penalty against the Riders! Oh no! 10 yard penalty! 13 men on the field!
Duval got a second chance this time from 33 yards. And this time he buried it. Celebration in Quebec!
It was one of oddest ending to a sports final as they come. Sports is filled with heartbreaking, heart-wrenching, gut splitting moments. However, how many ended on such a note to determine a championship? Not many, if any. The closest thing is the infamous “toe in the crease” back in 1999 permitting the Dallas Stars to win the Stanley Cup at the expense of Buffalo Sabres. The Tennessee Titans coming within inches against the St.Louis Rams in the Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000 is another.
Not meant to be
Yet, I don’t think it quite measures up to what we saw on Sunday. I mean, too many men on the field in such a critical moment? It was hard to watch. Listening to shell shocked Riders head coach Ken Miller after the game made clear of the devastation his team was dealing with.
Now the question being asked is whether Saskatchewan lost the game or Montreal won it. The answer is obvious: Montreal won it. They put themselves in a position to win. They never gave up. They responded like champions. Saskatchewan, for their part, went Houston Texans on everyone and failed to seal the deal.
Fret not, Saskatchewan fans. The future looks bright for the Riders. They have a nice young core of players starting with QB Darius Durant and receiver Andy Fantuz. They can, I would think, easily come back to the final next year. The Alouettes have some off season decisions to make. With Anthony Calvillo and receiver Ben Cahoon uncertain to return, Als dominance could be challenged. However, one thing should be kept in mind, manager Jim Popp always has something up his sleeve. He has kept the Alouettes organization the class of the CFL since 1996.
And so ends this classic, if not somewhat tarnished, match. One that will be talked about for quite some times.
Ireland and Riders fans should hook up on message boards and talk about the raw deals handed ot them but in the end, hopefully, they will come to the realization they had destiny in their own hands.
Notes: Head coach Marc Trestman, who’s name was rumored in connection with the job vacancy with the Buffalo Bills, won his first Grey Cup in just his second year as head coach of the Alouettes. He reached the finals in 2009…The Alouettes have been to the Grey Cup seven times this decade winning twice… Saskatchewan are 3-14 in Grey Cup finals…Als receiver Ben Cahoon (the surest hands I’ve ever seen) surpassed former Al Hal Patterson for all-time receiving yards. Cahoon tops the list at 620 yards. The record of 580 yards stood since 1964…Running back Avon Coburne, who caught and ran his way around the field, won a deserved MVP….the game was mentioned on Monday Night Football.
A really well focused and balanced article – well done and keep it going