CFL 'Quick Kicks': Arbuckles Writes Fairytale As Argos Win 111th Grey Cup
By Chris Lawton
For the second time in three years, the Toronto Argonauts defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to take home the Grey Cup. This time they ran out 41-24 winners to become CFL champions again.
Toronto QB, Nick Arbuckle completed a personal fairytale ending to the season too. Having seen starter Chad Kelly go down in last week’s Division Final, and contributing to the win there, against the defending champions, the backup became starter and went on to be named Grey Cup MVP. He finished the game 26 of 37 with 252 yards passing, adding 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, as well as 2 carries for 11 yards. The key really was that he was far from overwhelmed by the occasion, didn’t make too many errors, or hurt his team and goes from wondering if his career could be over to the pinnacle in the CFL title game.
This one was close until it wasn’t. It was 17-13 going into the fourth quarter before Toronto tied a Grey Cup record with a 24-point outburst in the final frame to claim their 19th title, as well as extending their winning run when they do make a Grey Cup appearance to 8 – last losing in the big game to Edmonton in 1987.
The Double Blue D showed up big here with 4 interceptions that included a pick-six, a 58-yard return that led to a td and two grabs leading to field goals. Ultimately the Argos made 20 of their 41 points out of these turnovers.
Ka’Deem Carey had 15 carries for 79 yards and a touchdown to help balance things out with Arbuckle, whilst Dejon Brissett and Kevin Mital gabbed the touchdown passes. Brissett who had 3 catches for 45 yards and the touchdown was named most valuable Canadian for the game.
One of the biggest influences on the game came from Toronto’s defensive leader, Wynton McManis who had 6 tackles, an interception and three pass knockdowns. He helped nullify Brady Oliveira for chunks of the game. He could easily have been named MVP too.
The best player on the field for Winnipeg was probably Willie Jefferson who was a disruptive force throughout with 6 tackles, 2 sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble.
Although Winnipeg had their chances here it was Toronto who converted their chances, made less mistakes and put together a better performance in all three phases of the game. Including special teams where Lirim Hajrullahu hit on all eight of his kicks going 4 for 4 on field goals and adding 4 extra points to account for 16 point on his own.
Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie has now notched a 46-22 record over four years in charge in Toronto, as well as taking the Argos to four consecutive East Finals and 5-2 post-season record that includes being 2-0 in the Grey Cup. Not too shabby.
Key Moments
Like all games there were key moments that either added momentum or took it away for the teams here. In a championship that is always accentuated and for me the following were the moments that eventually swung this game the way of the Boatmen.
- With the Blue Bombers ahead 10-3 late in the second quarter Arbuckle completed a pass to Makai Polk – but it was a fingertip grab and inches away from being picked by Deadrick Nicholls, who would have had a clear run to the end zone. Instead, Toronto drove for a field goal and that one play meant it went on to be 10-6 instead of 17-3 and Toronto having to play a frantic game of catch up.
- With Winnipeg up 10-6, Collaros threw deep but was picked off by Benjie Franklin. Now Toronto had avoided a pick-six and registered a turnover – this one leading to three points.
- In the third quarter Lucky Whitehead let a punt bounce in front of him which went into the endzone allowing Toronto to register a single and tie it up at 10-10.
- The sequence of events that arguably set the Argos on their way to the win. Again, in the third quarter – Arbuckle had the ball swatted out of his hand, but Argos Centre Peter Nicastro recovered the ball to stop the Blue Bombers being in great field position. This was followed up by Whitehead fumbling the ball on a punt return, the Argos recovering and going on to score on their next offensive play. The Argo bounce really was in action on sequences like this.
- The blocked punt that wasn’t. With the score at 17-13 Winnipeg blocked a punt deep in Toronto territory. However, they were flagged for ‘loose ball interference’ and that gave the Argos an automatic first down. Yet again Winnipeg lost their own shot at game shifting momentum.
- Zach Collaros’ finger injury. Down 17-10 Collaros cut a finger on his throwing hand. He went off for stitches, and when he came back his passing didn’t look the same again. Including going deep and getting picked off by DaShaun Amos when Toronto were ahead 24-16, and seeing it returned to the red zone. Then with Toronto up 27-16 he threw an interception to Robert Priester who took it home for the pick six and effectively sealed the game at 34-16 with 3:13 on the clock. Then another deep ball was picked, this time by Wynton McManis – who returned it inside the five before Toronto scored their last points.
Collaros went from 6 of 12 for 114 yards and 1 pick with his team 10-9 ahead at halftime to the injury and finishing 15 of 30 for 202 yards with zero touchdowns and 4 interceptions. All three second half picks came after the finger injury on his throwing hand.
So, there we have it. Another CFL season in the books. We have seen ups and downs, incredible performances and perhaps the ultimate storybook ending in the biggest game of the season for Nick Arbuckle – a man nobody was betting on being Grey Cup MVP at the start of this season. All eyes will turn to the off-field news now, like who will be the new commissioner? What do the negotiation lists look like? The new schedule, the Draft and more. Nothing beats the games though. When the teams are lining up once again and CFL fans around the globe are cheering on their favourites.
I can already hear the cry – Is it June yet?
CHRIS LAWTON
CFL ANALYST
Chris originally started following the NFL with the ‘first wave’ of fans when it was shown on Channel 4 in the 1980’s. He has been a keen supporter of the Miami Dolphins since 1983. Chris first encountered the CFL in 2016 and instantly fell in love with the Canadian game. He has been writing about the CFL 2017. Chris has a degree in history, postgraduate degree in librarianship and can be found on twitter as @CFLfanUK