Relieved Stamps back in Calgary with Cup

CALGARY (CP) — Tired but happy Calgary Stampeders filed off the buses at McMahon Stadium with the Grey Cup in tow Monday.

The Stampeders defeated the Ottawa Redblacks 27-16 for the CFL’s championship trophy less than 24 hours earlier in Edmonton.

After two straight Grey Cup losses to underdog teams, Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson’s emotions were a mixture of joy and relief.

“It felt good, but I have to admit there was so much pressure and uneasiness you know,” Dickenson said. “If you didn’t get it done for the third year, can you overcome that as an organization, as a team, as a coach? I just tried to really keep the guys focused.

“We stuck together, we believe in each other and guys did what they had to do to win. It’s great to win a championship. Even better to win it in Edmonton.”

The coaches pulled into McMahon’s parking lot just after noon. Dickenson stepped off the bus with the coveted trophy and hoisted it in the air for about 70 fans and media.

The former quarterback won his first Grey Cup as a head coach. Dickenson was the team’s offensive co-ordinator when Calgary won it in 2014. Several players travelled separately with family members, including quarterback and Grey Cup MVP Bo Levi Mitchell, and were returning to Calgary later. “I know the pressure Bo was under,” Dickenson said. “Everyone one was talking about how this game will define his legacy. I felt I had a little bit to do with that. I’m glad, because he wins me a lot of football games.”

A celebration of Calgary’s win is scheduled for today at noon in front of city hall.

Running back Terry Williams, whose 97-yard punt return for a touchdown late in the second half was a game-changer, said he’d been asked about that play more than he’d thought about it.

“We’re Grey Cup champs and that’s the most important thing,” Williams said. “I don’t think I got any sleep to be honest. That’s why I’ve got my sunglasses on. I’m tired. I’m ready to go home, take a hot shower and just relax for awhile.” Calgary was the heavy Grey Cup favourite over the Toronto Argonauts in 2017 and the Redblacks in 2016, but lost both games.

“The adversity we had to go through this year, especially this year at the receiving position and especially coming off two Grey Cup losses... facing all that adversity and then finishing the season as a Grey Cup champ is probably the most rewarding,” receiver Eric Rogers said. Trevor Harris was 20-of-38 passing for 288 yards and a TD but had three interceptions.

Last weekend, Harris threw for 367 yards to 10 different receivers and had a playoff-record six TDs in Ottawa’s 46-27 East Division final win over Hamilton. Harris came into the Grey Cup having thrown for 2,262 passing yards with 17 TDs and just two interceptions over his prior seven starts.

Even with a receiving corps featuring three 1,000-yard receivers – including CFL top Canadian Brad Sinopoli – Ottawa’s offence had few answers for a Calgary defence that was tops in the CFL in fewest offensive points allowed (17.8 per game), offensive touchdowns (27), passing TDs (11) and tied for most sacks (45).

While the Redblacks amassed 387 offensive yards, Calgary controlled the ball for 35 minutes. And the Stampeders forced six turnovers (three interceptions, two fumbles and on downs) while having none of their own.

“The performance those guys (Calgary’s defence) put in against a guy who is elite, very elite, was incredible,” Mitchell said. “He set a CFL record last week with six touchdowns and they got (three) picks off him.

“They’re amazing. It was fun to watch tonight.”

But Mitchell said it was specialteams player Riley Jones who delivered the game-winning play. In the fourth quarter, Jones delivered a crushing hit on Ottawa’s Diontae Spencer during a punt return, forcing a fumble Wynton McManis recovered.

That set up a 29-yard Rene Paredes field goal at 2:54 that put Calgary ahead 27-14.

“If (Spencer) breaks that tackle or gets around Riley, it’s a touchdown and a completely different game,” Mitchell said. “Riley Jones not only tackled him but got the ball out and gave us a chance to get three points.

“That’s a 10-point swing there. To me, that play by Riley Jones won the game.”

Mitchell earned his second Grey Cup win and MVP honour. The 28-year-old native of Katy, Texas, will become a free agent in February and said with the CFL and its players heading into off-season bargaining on a new contract, he’ll take his time pondering his options, which could include the NFL.

Don Jackson had Calgary’s other TD. Paredes booted the converts and two field goals.

Julian Feoli-Gudino had Ottawa’s touchdown. Jean-Christophe Beaulieu added a two-point convert while Ward booted two field goals. The other points came on a safety.