VANCOUVER -- The Toronto Argonauts are the 111th Grey Cup champions.
The Argos created five turnovers and intercepted Winnipeg Blue Bombers' quarterback Zach Collaros four times on the way to a 41-24 victory at B.C. Place in Vancouver.
The victory is Toronto's second Grey Cup in the last three years.
The Argonauts held Winnipeg without a first down on the Blue Bombers first drive, and on the ensuing punt, Janarion Grant got off a 23-yard return to give Toronto field position at the 54-yard line.
A 29-yard gain on a pass from quarterback Nick Arbuckle to Deonta McMahon got the Argonauts into the red zone, but the Winnipeg defence held on a goal line stand and a 13-yard field goal by Lirim Hajrullahu gave the Argos a 3-0 lead seven minutes and two seconds into the game.
The two teams settled into back-and-forth defensive stops until just over two minutes remained in the opening quarter.
It was Collaros’ turn to come up with a big play for his team, hitting Ontaria Wilson with a 49-yard pass down the sideline to set the Bombers up at Toronto's 17-yard line. Three plays later, back-up quarterback Terry Wilson slammed the ball over the line from three yards out and Winnipeg led 7-3 with four seconds left in the first quarter.
The Bombers got things rolling midway through the second quarter, with Collaros completing a 22-yard pass to Kenny Lawler and 27-yard toss to Wilson to get Winnipeg down to the Toronto eight-yard line. A sack by Argos' defensive lineman Robbie Smith snuffed that drive, though, and Sergio Castillo kicked a 20-yard field goal for a 10-3 lead.
Toronto came right back down the field on their next possession. Damonte Coxie had a leaping 39-yard catch to get the Argonauts down to the Winnipeg 15, but it was the Bombers’ turn to get a key sack. Willie Jefferson took down Arbuckle at the Winnipeg 28. Hajrullahu hit a 35-yard field goal and it was a four-point game with two minutes and 10 seconds to play in the half.
The Argos got the ball right back two plays later on Benjie Franklin’s fourth interception of the playoffs. Nine plays later, Hajrullahu -- who appeared to suffer an ankle injury on the previous field goal -- booted a 45-yarder to get Toronto within one with 16 seconds remaining in the first half.
Toronto put together a short drive to open the second half, it ended with a key point as punter John Haggerty got off a 67-yard boot into the Bombers end zone for the rouge and a 10-10 tie two minutes and 28 seconds into the second half.
The Argonauts picked up their second turnover of the game on their next possession. Bombers punt returner Lucky Whitehead fumbled on a punt after a hit by Fraser Sopik and Jack Cassa recovered at the Winnipeg 17-yard line to put Toronto in excellent scoring position.
One play later, Toronto had their first lead of the game. A play-action pass by Arbuckle to the right flat for Kevin Mital saw the Argos receiver get around the corner and go all the way to the end zone for the major with six minutes and 19 seconds to play in the third quarter.
Winnipeg got their first turnover of the game on Toronto’s next possession, as defensive back Terrell Bonds hauled in an interception at the Winnipeg 40. Bombers running back Brady Olivera got off a 35-yard run down to the Toronto 35 on the ensuing drive. Castillo hit a 40-yard field goal with two minutes and 18 seconds to play in the third to make it a 17-13 game.
Collaros suffered an unusual injury on the drive, with a cut to his right index finger forcing him to leave the game for repairs.
Michael Ayers blocked a punt for Winnipeg on the next series, but a loose ball foul gave Toronto the ball back and a first down at their own 27-yard line on the final play of the third quarter.
The string of turnovers continued on the Argos next drive, this time with Jefferson leaping at the line and hauling in an Arbuckle pass to set up Winnipeg at the Toronto 35.
Wilson took over at quarterback for Winnipeg and a pass interference call on a throw to Kevens Clercius over the middle set the Bombers up at the Argos 15. Two cracks at the end zone were unsuccessful and a Castillo field goal made it 17-16 two minutes and 23 seconds into the fourth quarter.
Arbuckle went to work on Toronto’s next possession and engineered a seven play, 60-yard drive that ended with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Dejon Brissett for a 24-16 lead with seven minutes and eight seconds to play in the game.
Collaros returned for the Bombers’ next series wearing a glove on his right throwing hand. His first pass attempt came up short and DaShaun Amos would get the pick at the Toronto 49 before running it all the way back to the Winnipeg 16.
An objectionable conduct penalty to Winnipeg’s Deatrick Nichols set Toronto up at the eight-yard line, but the Argos would be unable to find the end zone, leading to a 14-yard Hajrullahu field goal and a 27-16 lead with five minutes and 13 seconds to play.
Toronto’s defence came up huge again on Winnipeg’s next drive and this time put points on the board. Defensive back Robert Priester snared a Collaros pass at the Toronto 49 and took it all the way to the house for a pick-six and a 34-16 edge. The 61-yard interception touchdown was the second-longest in Grey Cup history.
Wynton McManis got in on the interception-fest the next time Winnipeg had the ball, picking off Collaros at the Toronto 48 and going all the way to the Winnipeg four-yard line before being tripped up. Ka’Deem Carey ran it in from there and Toronto had a 41-16 edge.
Olivera ran for Winnipeg’s final major from the one-yard line and the Grey Cup’s final points with 53 seconds to play.
The Stats
Arbuckle had a solid performance in his start due to Chad Kelly's broken ankle suffered in the East Final and was named the Grey Cup MVP.
The veteran back-up completed 26-of-37 passes for 252 yards with two touchdowns and two interception while also carrying twice for 11 yards.
Arbuckle also did a great job of spreading the ball around, finding nine different receivers. Brissett -- who was named the Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian -- led the way with three catches for 45 yards, Makai Polk had four catches for 42 yards.
Carey led the ground game, rushing 15 times for 79 yards and his touchdown.
Collaros completed 15-of-30 passes for 202 yards with no touchdowns and four interceptions.
The CFL's Most Outstanding Player, Oliveira had 11 rushes for 84 yards and his major.
Wilson caught five passes for 99 yards.
Toronto had 303 yards of total offence, Winnipeg 283 yards.
