111th Grey Cup Recap: Ni-Ni-Ni-Nineteen

The date: November 17, 2024. The city: Vancouver, British Columbia. 13 days before the city would host this year's Survivor Series, they would play host to the 111th Grey Cup, which featured the Toronto Argonauts and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. These two teams are quite familiar; they met in the 109th Grey Cup just two years ago. As we recall, that year, the Bombers were trying to three-peat as Grey Cup Champions, but that night in Regina, Saskatchewan ended with the Boatmen victorious, 24-23. For the Argonauts, we were looking to win our second Grey Cup in three years. As for the Bombers, they had a dynasty to fight for. Fifth straight Grey Cup appearance, won the first two, but that third one has eluded them for two years now.

1st quarter began with the Bombers with the ball, and they went two and out. The Argos' first possession saw us get all the way to the one, but on 3rd and goal, we only pretended to go for it, which annoyed this Argos fan. Nevertheless, chip shot field goal was made, Argos lead 3-0. Bombers couldn't get anything going until the quarter's tail end, and while the 3-0 score held at the end of the first frame, Winnipeg began the 2nd quarter with a short touchdown run by their backup QB, Terry Wilson. It was 7-3 Bombers after the point after, and Sergio Castillo would add another field goal to make it 10-3. It was pretty defensive after that; Argos did a good job holding Winnipeg at bay, but our next possession resulted in another field goal. Even worse, our kicker, Lirim Hajrullahu, was a little banged up after that second FG. However, an interception gave us another chance, but again, a field goal would be kicked. Hajrullahu came back in and nailed a long one, and at halftime, the Bombers led 10-9.

Before the Jonas Brothers performed, I thought, "OK, we're down by one. That's actually good. It's close, we'll have the ball to start the second half, we can get off to a good start in the third." 3rd quarter doesn't see the Argos even get to field goal range, but a punt actually ended up in the end zone for a rouge! So the game is tied at 10 right there. Bombers were stopped, but the Argos next drive saw quarterback Nick Arbuckle fumble on second down. It was recovered by Toronto, but we had to punt. Returner Lucky Whitehead fumbled, and the Argos got the ball back. One play later, touchdown! Arbuckle tossed it right to Kevin Mital, and we took the lead 17-10! After going two and out, the Bombers intercepted Arbuckle, but that only resulted in a field goal. What followed was another Argos possession that saw the punt blocked and recovered by Winnipeg, but a call for loose ball interference gave the ball back to the Boatmen.

And so, the fourth quarter began. The last 15 minutes of regulation, and the last 15 minutes of the season, barring overtime. Arbuckle throws another interception, but that results in another Castillo field goal. 17-16 Argos. Arbuckle meant business from that point on. The next saw eight plays for 68 yards and ended with a touchdown catch from Dejon Brissett. Argos led 24-16 in the middle of the fourth. Zach Collaros, with a banged up and bloodied hand, looked to lead Peg to a clutch score, only to be intercepted. The ball was returned to the red zone, and a penalty put the ball at the Bombers' eight-yard line. Despite this, we were held to three. Argos led 27-16, a two possession game with 5:11 left in regulation. Now the Bombers needed to act quickly. Unfortunately, Collaros was intercepted again. It was Robert Priester, and this was taken all the way! Argos now led 34-16 at the three minute warning! Oh man!

By that point, it was setting in for the Boatmen, and especially for this Argos fan. Collaros was intercepted yet again, and this was almost taken all the way. We did score afterwards, though! Argos were up 41-16! That's it! It's over! Bombers did finally get another touchdown, but by then, it was set in stone. The final ticks rolled off, and it was celebration time!

The Toronto Argonauts won, 41-24, over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, winning the Grey Cup for the 19th time overall, and the second time in three years! Nick Arbuckle, who had to enter the Eastern Final in relief, was named the Most Valuable Player of the game, and in this big game, Arbuckle threw for 252 yards, two touchdowns, and threw two picks. He had the game of his life, and what made his MVP award celebration even mroe epic: he was celebrating with his two little girls. Absolutely sweet!

Regarding the Most Outstanding Canadian nod, that went to Dejon Brissett, who had only 42 receiving yards, but scored the touchdown that began a fourth quarter flurry. That fourth quarter was so wild. The Bombers cut our lead to one, but Brissett's touchdown began a huge quarter that saw 24 points scored--three touchdowns (two on offense, one on defense) and a field goal.

We did it! We did IT!!! The Argos went through so much shit, and it all started even before the season started. Chad Kelly's off-the-field stupid shit. Not knowing who'd be at QB thanks Kelly's stupidity. Trading wins and losses for the beginning of the season. Kelly returning and being so up and down. Losing winnable games. Being swept this season by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats! Despite all of this... despite all of this... look how it ended up. Heads of the table! Grey Cup Champions! We may have sputtered almost as much as we won games, but when it counted, we dominated! Over 40 points per game in the playoffs. Four defensive touchdowns scored! The Toronto Argonauts kicked ass at the right time, an as a result, we are Grey Cup Champions for the league-leading 19th time!

As for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, that's three straight losses in the big game. They've become the CFL equivalent of Corey Perry. Even so, they have to be proud of their season. Remember: this team started 0-4 and looked dead even at a 2-5 start, yet they fought back, finished first in the West, and made it this far. The Bombers won 11 of their final 14 games, counting playoffs. Here's the thing: all three losses were against the Argos. Amazing, isn't it? We couldn't beat Hamilton this year, but we sure owned Winnipeg in 2024.

And so ends another Canadian Football League season. What a season! What an ending! I mentioned Winnipeg; they'll host the 112th Grey Cup on November 16, 2025, meaning that the Bombers have a chance to play their sixth straight Grey Cup game in front of their home fans. Also, the Argos will enter next season looking to make it twenty Grey Cups. But that's next year. For now, I'll just continue to grin ear to ear and drink in the fact that the Toronto Argonauts are back on top of the CFL!

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