The 89th Grey Cup (Canadian Football League championship) was held in 2001 in Montreal. The Calgary Stampeders claimed their fifth championship in team history with a 27âÂÂ19 win over the East Division champions and heavily favoured Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Calgary Stampeders (27) â TD's, Marc Boerigter, Travis Moore, Willie Fells; FG's, Mark McLoughlin (2); cons., McLoughlin (3).
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (19) â TD's, Arland Bruce III, Milt Stegall; FG's, Troy Westwood; cons., Westwood (2); singles, Westwood (2).
First quarter <br> WPGâÂÂFG Westwood 29-yard field goal 3:57 <br> WPGâÂÂSingle Westwood missed 49-yard field goal attempt, one-point granted 7:20 <br> Second quarter <br> CALâÂÂFG McLoughlin 37 yard field-goal 9:41 <br> CALâÂÂTD Boerigter 68-yard pass from Crandell (McLoughlin convert) 12:15 <br> CALâÂÂTD Moore 9-yard pass from Crandell (McLoughlin convert) 14:06 <br> Third quarter <br> WPGâÂÂTD Bruce III 23-yard pass from Jones (Westwood convert) 4:05 <br> WPGâÂÂSingle Westwood missed 54-yard field goal attempt, one-point granted 10:38 <br> Fourth quarter <br> CALâÂÂTD Fells 11-yard return on a blocked punt (McLoughlin convert) 5:37 <br> WPGâÂÂTD Stegall 23-yard pass from Jones (Westwood convert) 9:35 <br> CALâÂÂFG McLoughlin 24-yard field goal 14:12
The Calgary Stampeders, a team which began the year with four straight losses, had just three wins on Labour Day. But Calgary rallied, saving their season with an 8âÂÂ10 record, good for a second-place finish in the West Division. The Stampeders secured their berth in the Grey Cup with playoff victories over B.C. and Edmonton.
Calgary's opponent was a strong Winnipeg Blue Bombers club which had the CFL's best regular season record of 14âÂÂ4. But it was clear regular season play didn't matter as the Stampeders built a 17âÂÂ4 lead at halftime.
Trailing 4âÂÂ3 late in the second quarter, Calgary quarterback Marcus Crandell hit a streaking Marc Boerigter down the left hash marks for a 68-yard touchdown. The Stampeders struck again before intermission when Calgary flooded the right side with receivers and Crandell hit Travis Moore for a nine-yard score.
It seemed to be the wake-up call the Blue Bombers needed. On their first possession of the second half, quarterback Khari Jones hit Arland Bruce III for a 23-yard touchdown completion.
But the turning point came at 5:37 of the fourth quarter. With the Blue Bombers trailing 17âÂÂ12, Calgary's Aldi Henry — playing the game in his hometown — blocked Bob Cameron's punt attempt. Willie Fells recovered the ball and ran 11 yards for a Calgary touchdown.
The Blue Bombers fought back, as Jones hit Milt Stegall who made a remarkable 23-yard touchdown reception. But once again the Stampeders pulled further ahead. Stuck on the Calgary 11 with time ticking down, Crandell threw to running back Kelvin Anderson on a sideline pattern. Anderson slipped past Marvin Coleman for a 44-yard gain. Three plays later, Mark McLoughlin kicked a 24-yard field goal.
There was one final comeback attempt by Winnipeg. With the Blue Bombers on the Calgary 36 with time running out, Jones was driven by Stampeders defensive tackle Joe Fleming into the turf for a game-ending sack.
It was a game of missed opportunity for the Blue Bombers, who repeatedly got near or into Calgary territory and came away empty handed. Winnipeg kicker Troy Westwood missed three of four field goal attempts.
Semi-final (November 11 @ Calgary, Alberta) Calgary Stampeders 28âÂÂ19 BC Lions
Final (November 18 @ Edmonton, Alberta) Edmonton Eskimos 16âÂÂ34 Calgary Stampeders
Semi-final (November 11 @ Hamilton, Ontario) Hamilton Tiger-Cats 24âÂÂ12 Montreal Alouettes
Final (November 18 @ Winnipeg, Manitoba) Winnipeg Blue Bombers 28âÂÂ13 Hamilton Tiger-Cats