Key Points:
- Montreal Alouettes secure their first Grey Cup win since 2010, beating Winnipeg Blue Bombers 28-24.
- Quarterback Cody Fajardo of the Alouettes leads with 290 passing yards and three touchdowns.
- Winnipeg’s Brady Oliveira stands out with 119 rushing yards and a touchdown despite the loss.
In a gripping clash of Canadian football titans, the Montreal Alouettes clinched a remarkable victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 110th Grey Cup, with a final score of 28-24. This triumph marks a significant turnaround for the Alouettes, who have overcome a year of uncertainty to lift their first Grey Cup since 2010.
Montreal Alouettes’ Performance
The Alouettes, led by quarterback Cody Fajardo, showcased a resilient and determined offense. Fajardo completed 21 out of 26 passes, throwing for 290 yards and three touchdowns. His remarkable performance, especially during the late fourth-quarter drive, was pivotal in securing the victory.
Austin Mack, with six receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown, played a crucial role in the receiving game. On the defensive front, Kabion Ento emerged as a standout with an interception and a forced fumble, contributing significantly to the team’s defensive prowess.
Offense
- Quarterback (QB) Cody Fajardo
- Passing: 21/26 completions/attempts, 290 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception
- Running Back (RB) W. Stanback
- Rushing: 9 attempts, 68 yards, 1 touchdown, Longest run: 32 yards
- Wide Receiver (WR) Austin Mack
- Receiving: 6 receptions, 103 yards, 1 touchdown, Longest reception: 33 yards
- Wide Receiver (WR) Tyson Philpot
- Receiving: 6 receptions, 63 yards, 1 touchdown, Longest reception: 19 yards
Defense
- Linebacker (LB) Darnell Sankey
- Defensive Tackles (DT): 8, Special Teams Tackles (ST): 0, Quarterback Sacks (QS): 1, Interceptions (INT): 0, Knockdowns (KD): 0
- Cornerback (CB) Kabion Ento
- Defensive Tackles: 1, Special Teams Tackles: 0, Interceptions: 1, Forced Fumble: 1, Knockdowns: 2
Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Effort
Despite the loss, the Blue Bombers exhibited commendable skill and determination. Quarterback Zack Collaros made 19 out of 23 passes for 236 yards. However, it was running back Brady Oliveira who shone brightly, rushing for 119 yards and scoring a touchdown.
Oliveira’s efforts, particularly in the first offensive drive, were a highlight for the Bombers. The defense saw Evan Holm making significant contributions with seven defensive tackles and an interception.
Offense
- Quarterback (QB) Zack Collaros
- Passing: 19/23 completions/attempts, 236 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 interception
- Running Back (RB) Brady Oliveira
- Rushing: 19 attempts, 119 yards, 1 touchdown, Longest run: 14 yards
- Wide Receiver (WR) Nic Demski
- Receiving: 8 receptions, 74 yards, 0 touchdowns, Longest reception: 18 yards
Defense
- Cornerback (CB) Evan Holm
- Defensive Tackles: 7, Special Teams Tackles: 0, Interceptions: 1, Knockdowns: 1
- Linebacker (LB) Shayne Gauthier
- Defensive Tackles: 5, Special Teams Tackles: 0, Quarterback Sacks: 1
Game Summary
The game started with Winnipeg taking an early lead, thanks to Oliveira’s touchdown, but Montreal quickly closed the gap. The Alouettes’ offense, spearheaded by Fajardo, gradually gained momentum, leading to several critical touchdowns. The Blue Bombers, not lagging, responded fiercely, but Montreal’s defense, especially Ento’s interception, played a crucial role in keeping the Bombers at bay.
The final minutes saw an intense back-and-forth, with Fajardo’s late-game heroics sealing the deal for Montreal. The victory not only signifies a tremendous achievement for the Alouettes but also marks a new chapter in CFL history.
The game, while not being a nail-biter, was a testament to strategic gameplay and resilience, a true display of Canadian football at its finest. With this win, the Montreal Alouettes have firmly established themselves as a formidable force in the CFL.
David Tress
November 20, 2023 at 10:48 am
It was a great Grey Cup game with a dramatic finale. It seems to be the case that the best way to get to the Grey Cup is to be dumped by the Roughriders.