Montreal Alouettes Complete Dramatic Upset, Last-Second Grey Cup Win Over Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The hopes of a dynasty died when Cody Fajardo threw the game-winning touchdown as the Montreal Alouettes took down the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 28-24 in the Grey Cup ON Sunday night at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario.
It was Winnipeg that got off to a fast start as they scored the first 10 points, including a Sergio Castillo field goal and a five-yard touchdown run by Brady Oliveira. Montreal responded with a 32-yard touchdown run by William Stanback to end the first quarter.
The teams combined for three turnovers in the second quarter, including a muffed punt by Montreal’s James Letcher led to a Dakota Prukop one-yard touchdown run to make it 17-7. Another turnover was a defensive stop by Winnipeg at the 1-yard line with 15 seconds left in the half, which helped the Bombers maintain a 10-point halftime lead.
“We went in at halftime and we stood together and said we’re not going to lose this game,” Montreal linebacker Darnell Sankey said.
🦅 BIRDS FLYIN' HIGH 🦅
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Your 2023 #GreyCup Champions: @MTLAlouettes #GreyCup pic.twitter.com/0UiyxQKytQ
The Alouettes struck quickly to start the third quarter as Cody Fajardo connected with Cole Spieker for a touchdown to make the score 17-14. Montreal continues their strong second half with a fourth-quarter touchdown from Fajardo to Austin Mack giving them a 21-17 lead with under 11 minutes left in the game.
Winnipeg responded back with a score of their own thanks to Prukop scoring his second rushing touchdown of the game on a four-yard QB sneak giving the Bombers a 24-21 lead.
On the final drive of the game, Montreal had a third-and-5 at the 50-yard line with under a minute to go when Fajardo completed a pass to Spieker for 31 yards for a first down. On the next play, Fajardo connects with Tyson Philpot for the game-winning 19-yard touchdown pass with 13 seconds left giving them the 28-24 win.
Fajardo finished the game with 290 passing yards and three touchdowns, leading to the title. Mack was the leading receiver with 103 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Montreal won its first Grey Cup since its last appearance in the title game in 2010. The Alouettes also upset the Toronto Argonauts in the Eastern Final last week
“We believed when no one else believed,” Als defensive end Shawn Lemon said. “That’s the reason we’re the Grey Cup champs.”
Grey Cup Final: Montreal 28, Winnipeg 24
Key Notes From the 110th Grey Cup:
Long Time Coming
With the win, the Alouettes won their first Grey Cup since 2010 after winning back-to-back Grey Cups in 2009 and 2010. It was the team's first appearance in a Grey Cup since 2010 as well.
Zach Collaros Broke Grey Cup Record
Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros broke a record as being the first quarterback to start four straight Grey Cup starts. Collaros has started five Grey Cups throughout his career.
Slinging The Ball for The Title
Cody Fajardo made his first start in the Grey Cup and impressed in the win. Fajardo threw for 290 yards and three touchdowns as he won his second Grey Cup in his career.
Montreal Defense Dominates
The playoffs were a good time for the Alouettes defense as they forced 13 turnovers in the playoffs including two in the Grey Cup.
Argos QB Chad Kelly Suffered Concussion in Playoff Loss
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Anthony Miller has been covering professional spring football since 2019 including XFL, USFL, and CFL. He was a local news reporter in Texas before transitioning to sports. Other sites he writes for includes College Football Network and NTZ Network.