With a first-time head coach they had hired just two years ago, and a quarterback who played only nine games this season because of injuries, the Eskimos’ 10th successive victory was a thrilling Cup-winner, 26-20 over the Ottawa RedBlacks, thanks to an admirable comeback.
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WINNIPEG-Excitement for the Canadian football showdown of the year reached its nadir in Winnipeg as Edmonton and Ottawa fans decked themselves out in team colours and engaged in a bit of friendly trash talk prior to the start of Sunday’s Grey Cup.
Lynch, the former Northern Illinois star in his rookie season with Eskimos, scored on a third-down play in a 20-degree chill. He also intercepted four passes, returning one for a touchdown, and recovered a fumble.
“Kudos to Edmonton. They made plays and we didn’t and that’s the reason why they won the game”. Ottawa Redblacks fans gathered for a photo, booing a heavily painted Edmonton Eskimos fan who photo-bombed the group.
Mike Reilly had an outstanding game, completing 21 of 35 passes for 269 yards and a pair of majors along with 10 carries for 66 yards. “And that’s what make it so disappointing to get this far and not get it done”.
The RedBlacks jumped out to a 13-0 lead midway through the first quarter before Edmonton even had their first possession.
Ottawa had a big play – a fumble returned for a touchdown – wiped off the board by an offside penalty but extended their lead with a Chris Milo field goal midway through the second.
That gave Ottawa the ball back with a chance to win, but once again, their offence wouldn’t start.
“With the GM we have, the coaching staff we have and the players they brought in, we’ve been built to do this multiple times”. The Saskatchewan Roughriders are believed to be interested in him for their vacant general manager and head coaching positions, and Jones didn’t exactly announce after the game that he’s staying put.
A 41-yard pass interference penalty set up the next Ottawa points, another 33-yard Milo field goal, while Edmonton put up a punt single. Whyte booted a convert, single and field goal while Grant Shaw added another single. Despite having the ball for 10 minutes in the third quarter, Edmonton was outscored 3-1 as Ottawa took a 19-18 advantage into the fourth. After Lynch’s touchdown, the Eskimos forced Ottawa to punt.
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On Sunday night, Burris hit five different receivers during the Redblacks’ first drive, eating up 70 yards in 2:40, which Patrick Lavoie capped off with a three-yard touchdown reception.
