Esks’ offence passes tough test
Control ball for most of contest Tompkins’ TD tops special teams
VANCOUVER— Rating the teams in Edmonton’s 38-35 overtime win over Montreal in the 93rd Grey Cup yesterday:
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
OFFENCE: B-minus. Montreal rushed for one yard in the opening half, but the O- line showed its dominance in the second half, giving running back Eric Lapointe good running lanes — he scored two second- half TDs — and allowed quarterback Anthony Calvillo to find receivers. DEFENCE: B-minus. The unit was responsible for Montreal still being in the game after Edmonton dominated the first half, yet only led 10- 1. The Als continually blitzed linebackers and got decent pressure up front, registering three sacks. The secondary, often in man coverage, was solid in not really allowing big gains. SPECIAL TEAMS:
B- minus. Jonas Lewis’s kickoff return with under a minute left gave Montreal the shot it needed after Edmonton scored to go ahead 2825, but the kickoff team got torched for a Cup-record 96- yard kickoff return TD by Tony Tompkins. Damon Duval missed a 48- yard field goal, but atoned with a pressure- packed 28- yard field goal to force OT.
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
OFFENCE: A- minus. Controlled the ball throughout the game, mostly with the pass. The O- line picked up Montreal’s blitz, giving quarterback Ricky Ray time to look downfield. Ray, who had a record 34 completions, did a nice job of sensing the pressure, dumping the ball short if the Als got close. And with the game on the line in overtime, Ray delivered. DEFENCE: B- minus. After strong opening half, unravelled in the second and couldn’t get to Calvillo, which allowed Montreal to get back in it. Donny Brady dropped what looked like an easy interception with nine seconds remaining in regulation that would have cemented the win. Charles Alston came up with a sack in OT that put Montreal back to its 54- yard line and effectively took it out of field goal range. SPECIAL TEAMS:
A. Tompkins provided the biggest play with his kickoff return for the TD in the third and added a 38- yard return off a missed field goal. Sean Fleming kicked three field goals, including one in OT.