110th Grey Cup
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| Date | November 19, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Stadium | Tim Hortons Field | ||||||||||||||||||
| Location | Hamilton | ||||||||||||||||||
| Most Valuable Player | Cody Fajardo, QB (Alouettes) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Most Valuable Canadian | Tyson Philpot, WR (Alouettes) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Favourite | Blue Bombers by 7.5[1] | ||||||||||||||||||
| National anthem | Simone Soman | ||||||||||||||||||
| Coin toss | Mary Simon | ||||||||||||||||||
| Referee | Tim Kroeker[2] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Halftime show | Green Day | ||||||||||||||||||
| Attendance | 28,808 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Broadcasters | |||||||||||||||||||
| Network | Canada (English): TSN Canada (French): RDS Worldwide: CFL+ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Announcers |
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The 110th Grey Cup was played to determine the Canadian Football League (CFL) champion for the 2023 season.[5] The game was played on November 19, 2023, at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario, between the West Division champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the East Division champion Montreal Alouettes.[5][6] The Alouettes defeated the Blue Bombers, 28–24. It was the 12th time that Hamilton had hosted the Grey Cup, the previous having been in 2021.[5]
Host
[edit]Due to Ontario COVID-19 public health orders still in effect as of mid-October 2021, all in-person entertainment festivities for the 108th Grey Cup in Hamilton in 2021 were cancelled. It was therefore announced on October 14, 2021, that the 110th Grey Cup in 2023 would be awarded to Hamilton, in order to allow organizers to host the Grey Cup and all associated festivities as originally planned.[5][7]
Entertainment
[edit]The Hamilton Sports Group announced that the Grey Cup Festival would be held in downtown Hamilton from November 16 to 18, 2023. A 35-yard football field was planned to be constructed at the John Weir Foote Armoury; it hosted a multi-day flag football tournament. The Hamilton Convention Centre, FirstOntario Centre, and Bridgeworks hosted parties for all CFL teams and the annual CFL Alumni Association Legends Luncheon was held on November 17, 2023, at LIUNA Station.[8]
Date
[edit]Per the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement signed in 2022, the league had the option of starting the 2023 season by up to 30 days sooner, which could have significantly altered the date of this game.[9] However, the league chose to continue with the existing scheduling formula and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats confirmed that the game would be played on November 19, 2023 (the third Sunday of November).[6]
Entertainment
[edit]Pop singer and Ontario native Jamie Fine sang during the pre-game kickoff show.[10] The Canadian national anthem was sung by Canada's Got Talent semifinalist Simone Soman,[10] making her the first blind singer to perform the anthem at the game[citation needed]. American rock band Green Day performed during the halftime show.[11] They performed four songs, "The American Dream is Killing Me", "Basket Case", "Boulevard of Broken Dreams", and "Holiday".

Teams
[edit]The game featured the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, playing in their fourth consecutive Grey Cup, versus the Montreal Alouettes, holders of the record for the longest Grey Cup appearance drought, having last appeared in a championship game in 2010.[12] The Alouettes made their 19th Grey Cup appearance while the Blue Bombers made their league-leading 28th appearance in the title game.[12] The Alouettes were attempting to win their eighth championship and the Blue Bombers were attempting to win their 13th, including their third in four years.[12]
Montreal Alouettes
[edit]
The Alouettes finished in second place in the East Division after qualifying for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.[12] The team finished with an 11–7 record, but notably won every game against teams that finished with losing records, and lost every game against teams that finished with winning records.[12] Because they faced the Blue Bombers, Lions, and Argonauts back-to-back in their schedule, the Alouettes started the season on a two-game winning streak, followed by a three-game losing streak, then a four-game winning streak, then a four-game losing streak, and finally a five-game winning streak.[13] The Alouettes qualified for the playoffs following their week 17 win over the Ottawa Redblacks.[14] In the playoffs, the team handily defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 27–12 in the East Semi-Final as they held their opponent to four field goals and no touchdowns.[13] In the East final, the Alouettes would face the heavily favoured 16–2 Argonauts, a team to whom the Alouettes had already lost three times during the regular season. However, the Alouettes forced nine Toronto turnovers: four interceptions including two that went for touchdowns, four turnovers on downs, and a fumble recovery.[15] The Alouettes dominated the Argonauts and won the game 38–17 in front of the largest crowd to watch an Argonauts game at BMO Field.[15]
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
[edit]The Blue Bombers were again a force to be reckoned with in the regular season as they finished with a 14–4 record.[16] The Blue Bombers secured a playoff spot for the seventh straight season in their 13th game with a victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Banjo Bowl on September 9, 2023.[17] However, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers did face a challenge for first place in the West Division from the BC Lions as the two teams had identical 11–4 records heading into their week 16 match-up that would determine who won the season series.[16] The Blue Bombers won the game in overtime and the Lions lost the following week, so the Blue Bombers secured their third consecutive division title.[18] Winnipeg played two games that were meaningless in the standings to end the season, but still won both despite resting some starters in both games.[16] Following their playoff bye week, the Blue Bombers faced the BC Lions in the West Division Final, but had a dominant defensive performance as they tied a league playoff record with nine sacks and held the Lions to just one Hail Mary touchdown and the Blue Bombers won 24–13.[19]
Head-to-head
[edit]The Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeated the Montreal Alouettes in both regular season meetings in 2023, with the Bombers winning 17–3 on Canada Day and then winning 47–17 at IG Field on August 24, 2023.[12] In their first meeting, the Blue Bombers had 185 rushing yards, including 120 from Brady Oliveira, and Zach Collaros threw for 177 yards and two touchdowns.[20] The Winnipeg defence held Montreal to three points, led by Willie Jefferson, who had two sacks and a fumble recovery, and Cameron Lawson who had two sacks and a forced fumble, and Brandon Alexander who intercepted Cody Fajardo in the red zone.[20] In the second meeting, the Blue Bombers' defence again held the Alouettes' offence to three points as the Alouettes scored their only majors from interceptions from Marc-Antoine Dequoy and Tyrell Richards.[21] The Winnipeg defence held Fajardo to just 137 yards passing and one interception and leading rusher William Stanback to 32 yards rushing.[21] Collaros threw for four touchdowns and three inceptions and Oliveira nearly matched his previous total with 119 rushing yards and one touchdown.[21]
While this was the first Grey Cup game played between these franchises, it was their third postseason meeting. The teams split their previous two playoff contests.[12][a]
Uniforms
[edit]As the East Division representative in a Grey Cup held in an East Division city, the Montreal Alouettes were the designated home team for the game and used the home team's dressing room.[23] The Alouettes wore their blue jerseys and blue pants and the Blue Bombers wore their white jerseys with gold pants and used the visitors' locker room.[23]
Game summary
[edit]
The Alouettes won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half.[24] Winnipeg opened the scoring with a field goal by Sergio Castillo at 6:28 in the first quarter.[25] After a Montreal two-and-out, Winnipeg then went on an eight-play, 66-yard drive that ended in Brady Oliveira scoring a five-yard touchdown.[25] Montreal then responded with a seven-play, 77-yard drive, highlighted by Austin Mack's 31-yard catch, which ended with William Stanback scoring a 32-yard rushing touchdown to close out the first quarter.[26]
In the second quarter, Montreal was unable to capitalize on a turnover after rookie defensive back Kabion Ento stripped Winnipeg's Oliveira of the ball.[25] The two teams then punted back and forth until Winnipeg's special teams forced a fumble from returner James Letcher Jr.[25] Alouettes' head coach Jason Maas challenged the play for a no yards penalty, but the call stood and the Blue Bombers took possession on the Alouettes' 29-yard line with 5:33 remaining in the half.[25] After five plays, Winnipeg's Dakota Prukop scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak to extend their lead to 17–7.[25] On the ensuing possession by Montreal, Letcher returned the kickoff to the team's 50-yard line, where quarterback Cody Fajardo marched the team down to Winnipeg's three-yard line.[25] Stanback ran for two yards on first down and then Caleb Evans was stopped twice on Winnipeg's one-yard line which led to a turnover on downs.[25] The Blue Bombers then ran out then remaining eight seconds on the clock to maintain their 17–7 lead to close out the first half.[25][26]
Montreal received the kickoff to begin the second half where Fajardo completed a 33-yard pass to Mack who made a one-handed catch while being pulled down by his left arm by Demerio Houston.[24][25] On the next play, Fajardo threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Cole Spieker to cut the Blue Bombers' lead to three points.[25] On the next drive, Winnipeg began on their own 45-yard line and advanced the ball down to Montreal's nine-yard line in seven plays.[25] However, Winnipeg's Zach Collaros was intercepted by Ento in the endzone on a pass that was intended for Kenny Lawler.[24][25] The Alouettes were unable to score on the ensuing drive, but a 61-yard punt by Joseph Zema pinned the Blue Bombers on their own nine-yard line.[24][25] Winnipeg was able to advance the ball to their own 42-yard line, but were still forced to punt to end the third quarter with the score remaining 17–14.[25]
On the second play of the fourth quarter, Fajardo was intercepted by Evan Holm on a deep pass intended for Mack, which gave Winnipeg possession at their own 21-yard line.[24][25] However, after Collaros was sacked by Reggie Stubblefield, the Blue Bombers were forced to punt after a two-and-out, where returner Tyson Philpot returned the ball 30 yards to the Winnipeg 28-yard line.[25] The Alouettes had a quick three-play drive that ended in a Mack 13-yard touchdown reception from Fajardo and Montreal took their first lead of the game.[25][27] On the following kickoff, Janarion Grant returned the ball to Winnipeg's 54-yard line to set up good field position for their next drive.[25] The Blue Bombers then marched down the field in nine plays where Prukop scored his second touchdown on a four-yard run where the team reclaimed their lead and made the score 24–21 with 5:28 remaining.[25] The two teams exchanged punts on short drives and Montreal got the ball back at their 27-yard line with 1:55 remaining in the game.[25]
The Alouettes advanced to the 55-yard line, but Fajardo took an eight-yard loss on first down as he was sacked by Shayne Gauthier.[24][25] Fajardo then rushed for 13 yards to set up a third-and-five where Maas called for a deep pass to Spieker, who made a 31-yard catch at the Winnipeg 19-yard line.[24][25] On the next play, Fajardo threw a 19-yard pass to Philpot for a touchdown to put the Alouettes ahead 28–24 with 13 seconds left.[24] After Grant returned the ball to the Winnipeg 42-yard line, the Blue Bombers had eight seconds to try to score a touchdown.[24] The Blue Bombers advanced to the 54-yard line where, on the last play of the game, Collaros completed a 14-yard pass to punter Jamieson Sheahan who had a 35-yard open field kick which was alertly recovered by the Alouettes' Marc-Antoine Dequoy who ended the game by conceding on the five-yard line to give Montreal the win.[24]
Fajardo was named the Grey Cup Most Valuable Player and Philpot received the Dick Suderman Trophy for being the Most Valuable Canadian Player of the game.[28][29]
Scoring summary
[edit]First quarter[25]
- WPG – FG Castillo 25 yards (8:32) 3–0 WPG
- WPG – TD Oliveira 5-yard run (Castillo convert) (3:00) 10–0 WPG
- MTL – TD Stanback 32-yard run (Côté convert) (0:00) 10–7 WPG
Second quarter[25]
- WPG – TD Prukop 1-yard run (Castillo convert) (2:52) 17–7 WPG
Third quarter[25]
- MTL – TD Spieker 23-yard reception from Fajardo (Côté convert) (13:17) 17–14 WPG
Fourth quarter[25]
- MTL – TD Mack 13-yard reception from Fajardo (Côté convert) (11:12) 21–17 MTL
- WPG – TD Prukop 4-yard run (Castillo convert) (5:28) 24–21 WPG
- MTL – TD Philpot 19-yard reception from Fajardo (Côté convert) (00:13) 28–24 MTL
Individual statistics
[edit]Sources: CFL 110th Grey Cup Boxscore
| Alouettes passing | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | CP/AT | Pct | Yards | TD | Int |
| 21/26 | 80.8% | 290 | 3 | 1 | |
| Alouettes rushing | |||||
| Player | Car | Yards | Avg | Lg | TD |
| 9 | 68 | 7.6 | 32 | 1 | |
| 2 | 18 | 9.0 | 13 | 0 | |
| 5 | 14 | 2.8 | 7 | 0 | |
| Alouettes receiving | |||||
| Player | Rec | Yards | Avg | Lg | TD |
| 6 | 103 | 17.2 | 33 | 1 | |
| 6 | 63 | 10.5 | 19 | 1 | |
| 3 | 62 | 20.7 | 31 | 1 | |
| 4 | 51 | 12.8 | 23 | 0 | |
| 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 8 | 0 | |
| 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Alouettes defence | |||||
| Player | DT–ST | QS | Int | FR | FF |
| 8–0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 7–1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6–1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5–0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5–0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3–1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3–0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3–0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2–0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2–1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1–0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1–0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1–0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1–0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1–0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 0–2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 0–1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 0–1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 0–1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Alouettes placekicking | |||||
| Player | FM–FA | Lng | Avg | Sng | CM-CA |
| 0–0 | — | — | 0 | 4–4 | |
| Alouettes punting | |||||
| Player | No | GAv | NAv | Sng | Lng |
| 5 | 35.6 | — | 0 | 61 | |
| Alouettes punt returns | |||||
| Player | PR | Yards | Avg | Lg | TD |
| 3 | 49 | 16.3 | 30 | 0 | |
| 2 | −5 | −2.5 | 7 | 0 | |
| Alouettes kickoff returns | |||||
| Player | PR | Yards | Avg | Lg | TD |
| 3 | 77 | 25.7 | 32 | 0 | |
| 1 | 14 | 14.0 | 14 | 0 | |
| Blue Bombers passing | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | CP/AT | Pct | Yards | TD | Int |
| 19/23 | 82.6% | 236 | 0 | 1 | |
| Blue Bombers rushing | |||||
| Player | Car | Yards | Avg | Lg | TD |
| 19 | 119 | 6.3 | 14 | 1 | |
| 9 | 33 | 3.7 | 8 | 2 | |
| 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2 | 1 | 0.5 | 2 | 0 | |
| Blue Bombers receiving | |||||
| Player | Rec | Yards | Avg | Lg | TD |
| 3 | 77 | 25.7 | 42 | 0 | |
| 8 | 74 | 9.3 | 18 | 0 | |
| 3 | 36 | 12.0 | 15 | 0 | |
| 2 | 18 | 9.0 | 10 | 0 | |
| 1 | 14 | 14.0 | 14 | 0 | |
| 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 9 | 0 | |
| 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 8 | 0 | |
| Blue Bombers defence | |||||
| Player | DT–ST | QS | Int | FR | FF |
| 7–0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5–0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3–0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3–0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3–0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2–1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2–0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2–0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2–0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1–0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1–0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1–0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1–0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1–0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1–0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 0–2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 0–2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 0–2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 0–1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Blue Bombers placekicking | |||||
| Player | FM–FA | Lng | Avg | Sng | CM-CA |
| 1–1 | 25 | 25.0 | 0 | 3–3 | |
| Blue Bombers punting | |||||
| Player | No | GAv | NAv | Sng | Lng |
| 5 | 40.4 | — | 0 | 49 | |
| Blue Bombers punt returns | |||||
| Player | PR | Yards | Avg | Lg | TD |
| 3 | 23 | 7.7 | 9 | 0 | |
| Blue Bombers kickoff returns | |||||
| Player | PR | Yards | Avg | Lg | TD |
| 5 | 119 | 23.8 | 39 | 0 | |
Depth charts
[edit]The following diagrams illustrate the teams' depth charts that were released one day prior to game day. Starters are listed in boxes in their respective positions with backups listed directly above or below. As per CFL rules, 45 of the 46 players for each team would dress in the game.
Montreal Alouettes
[edit]22 Ruffin
37 Sutton
24 Dequoy
4 Evans
48 Ento
47 McNary
26 Beverette
2 Williams
43 Richards
1 Sankey
49 Chagnon
34 Gagné
35 Stubblefield
96 Uguak
98 Gowanlock
90 Sewell
94 Johnson
91 Desjardins
0 Lemon
23 Ellis
62 Callender
53 Gagnon
64 Jamieson
54 Lawrence
51 Matte
61 McGloster
55 Rice
81 Mack
7 Fajardo
5 Evans
6 Philpot
89 Letcher Jr.
85 Snead
31 Stanback
20 Antwi
19 Harty
40 Tuck
83 Cibasu
39 Dallaire
17 Spieker
87 Fervius
15 Côté
36 Zema
50 Bourassa
89 Letcher Jr.
Italics indicate American player
Bold indicates global player
|
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
[edit]35 Houston
39 Exumé
1 Nichols
37 Alexander
21 Hallett
31 Holm
7 Parker
19 Wilson
34 Briggs
47 Cadwallader
4 Bighill
33 Clements
44 Gauthier
41 Cole
17 Kramdi
94 Jeffcoat
3 Hansen
95 Thomas
99 Lawson
9 Walker
98 Bennett
66 Bryant
68 Gray
64 Dobson
67 Kolankowski
65 Eli
53 Neufeld
51 Hardrick
89 Lawler
8 Collaros
6 Brown
12 Prukop
82 Wolitarsky
88 Bailey
80 Grant
20 Oliveira
27 Augustine
10 Demski
48 Jackson
83 Schoen
14 Castillo
18 Sheahan
40 Benson
80 Grant
Italics indicate American player
Bold indicates global player
Reference: bluebombers.com
|
Officials
[edit]
The highest-rated officials during the 2023 CFL season from their respective positions were selected for the game and announced on November 15, 2023.[2] The numbers below indicate their uniform numbers.
- Referee: No. 74 Tim Kroeker
- Umpire: No. 24 Troy Semenchuk
- Down Judge: No. 27 Andrew Wakefield
- Line Judge: No. 63 Rob Hill
- Side Judge: No. 18 Pierre Laporte
- Back Judge: No. 59 Larry Butler
- Field Judge: No. 37 Jason Maggio
- Backup Referee: No. 60 Tom Vallesi
- Backup Official: No. 19 Chris Shapka
- Backup Official: No. 40 Kevin Riopel
- Backup Official: No. 73 Brian Chrupalo
Notes
[edit]- ^ The teams' previous postseason games were the 2000 East Division Final (won by Montreal) and the 2007 East Division Semi-Final (won by Winnipeg), both played when the Blue Bombers were members of the East Division due to the absence of a CFL team in Ottawa. This does not include two playoff losses by Winnipeg to the Baltimore Stallions, the organization that re-activated the Alouettes franchise after the end of the CFL's U.S. expansion era. Neither the Blue Bombers nor the Alouettes ever qualified for the playoffs as a cross-over team up to and including the 2023 season. Overall, the 2023 campaign was the 55th non-consecutive season of professional Canadian football since the end of World War II in which Winnipeg and Montreal fielded teams in different divisions.[22]
References
[edit]- ^ "2023 CFL Grey Cup Odds and Predictions". The Sports Geek. November 13, 2023. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ^ a b "Officiating crew named for 110th Grey Cup". Canadian Football League. November 15, 2023. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
- ^ "TSN is Home to Canada's Biggest Party, the 110th GREY CUP, November 19". bellmedia.ca. November 14, 2023. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ^ "Les Alouettes de Montréal et les Blue Bombers de Winnipeg en vedette à la 110e Coupe Grey" [The Montreal Alouettes and Winnipeg Blue Bombers featured at the 110th Grey Cup] (Press release) (in French). Montreal, QC: Bell Media. November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Full house for 2021 Grey Cup; Hamilton awarded 2023 game". Canadian Football League. October 14, 2021. Archived from the original on October 14, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
- ^ a b @Ticats (December 8, 2022). "Become a season seat holder today and secure your spot at the Grey Cup on November 19th, 2023!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Mitchell, Don (October 14, 2021). "Hamilton to host 2 of next 3 Grey Cups as CFL reveals 'modified' championship week". Global News. Archived from the original on October 14, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ "Hamilton Sports Group unveils its plans for '23 Grey Cup Festival". TSN. The Canadian Press. August 15, 2023. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
- ^ "Details of the CFL's new CBA: salary cap increases, ratio changes, and guaranteed contracts". 3DownNation. May 26, 2022. Archived from the original on October 24, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
- ^ a b "Jamie Fine to take centre stage for SiriusXM Grey Cup kickoff show". Canadian Football League. October 27, 2023. Archived from the original on October 27, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
- ^ "Green Day to perform halftime show at 110th Grey Cup in Hamilton". TSN. September 30, 2023. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Winnipeg and Montreal will clash in Hamilton for the Grey Cup". Canadian Football League. November 12, 2023. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ a b "2023 schedule". Canadian Football League. Archived from the original on August 21, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ "Als clinch playoff spot with road win over Redblacks". Canadian Football League. September 30, 2023. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ a b "Dominant defence: Als punch ticket to GC110 with win over Argos". Canadian Football League. November 11, 2023. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ a b c "CFL.ca game notes: A look at division finals". Canadian Football League. November 9, 2023. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ "Winnipeg Blue Bombers clinch playoff spot with Banjo Bowl victory". 3DownNation. September 9, 2023. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ "Unfinished business: Lions, Bombers face off in Western Final". Canadian Football League. November 10, 2023. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ "Home sweet home: Bombers continue playoff dominance at IG Field". Canadian Football League. November 11, 2023. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ a b "Montreal Alouettes vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers". Canadian Football League. July 1, 2023. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs Montreal Alouettes". Canadian Football League. August 24, 2023. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ "2023 CFL Guide & Record Book" (PDF). Canadian Football League. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 8, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ a b "Blue Bombers and Alouettes arrive for 110th Grey Cup". Canadian Football League. November 12, 2023. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Grey Cup 2023 final score, results: Cody Fajardo, Alouettes stun Blue Bombers to win 110th CFL championship". sportingnews.com. November 20, 2023. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa "110th Grey Cup". Canadian Football League. November 19, 2023. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ a b "Au Septième Ciel: Alouettes win the 110th Grey Cup". CFL.ca. November 20, 2023. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ Davidson, Neil (November 19, 2023). "Blue Bombers left stunned by Alouettes' comeback win in 110th Grey Cup". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ "Fajardo named Most Valuable Player of the 110th Grey Cup". CFL.ca. November 20, 2023. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ "Tyson Philpot named Most Valuable Canadian of the 110th GC". CFL.ca. November 20, 2023. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
110th Grey Cup
View on GrokipediaBackground
Host Selection
The selection of Hamilton as the host city for the 110th Grey Cup was influenced by the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to the Canadian Football League (CFL) schedule. Originally, Regina, Saskatchewan, had been awarded the Grey Cup for 2020 (the 108th edition), but the season was cancelled, and subsequent events were rescheduled, with Hamilton hosting a capacity-limited 108th Grey Cup in 2021 as a replacement. To compensate for the restricted 2021 event and ensure a full-scale championship, the CFL directly awarded the 110th Grey Cup to Hamilton without a traditional competitive bidding process, allowing organizers time to plan a comprehensive festival at full venue capacity.[8][9] On October 14, 2021, the CFL officially announced that Hamilton and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats would host the 110th Grey Cup on November 19, 2023, at Tim Hortons Field. This decision aligned with the league's goal of returning to pre-pandemic norms, as Hamilton's infrastructure supported a large-scale event following two years of limitations. The announcement emphasized the opportunity to celebrate the Grey Cup's 110-year history in a city with a strong football legacy, having previously hosted the championship 11 times.[9][10] Key selection criteria included Tim Hortons Field's capacity of over 23,000 seats, which enabled a full attendance experience post-COVID; the anticipated economic impact, projected at between $80 million and $100 million through tourism and local spending; Hamilton's passionate fan base and historical ties to the CFL, including the Tiger-Cats' role as a founding franchise; and the symbolic alignment with the league's 110-year milestone since the first Grey Cup in 1909. These factors positioned Hamilton as an ideal host to maximize visibility and community engagement for the championship. A post-event study reported that the Grey Cup and festival generated $73.5 million in total economic activity, including a net impact of $41.9 million, and was named the Canadian Event of the Year by Sport Tourism Canada.[2][10][11][12] The Hamilton Sports Group, owners of the Tiger-Cats since 2021, played a pivotal role in promoting and executing the hosting plans, collaborating with the City of Hamilton and provincial government to secure funding and develop an expanded Grey Cup Festival. Their involvement included unveiling stadium enhancements and regional event strategies to highlight Hamilton's vibrancy, ensuring the event's success as a major economic and cultural driver.[2][3][13]Date and Venue
The 110th Grey Cup was contested on November 19, 2023, at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario.[14] The stadium, home of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, features a permanent seating capacity of 23,218 but underwent significant temporary expansions for the championship, increasing available seats to approximately 31,000 through added grandstands, premium terraces, and enhanced zones like the South Plaza tailgate area with food vendors, live music, and games, as well as midfield sideline lounges and a North End entertainment stage integrated around the videoboard.[15] Despite the upgrades, the game drew an attendance of 28,808 spectators.[16] Kickoff occurred at 6:00 p.m. ET, with the event broadcast nationally in Canada on TSN and CTV, while U.S. viewers accessed a free live stream via the CFL+ platform.[17][18] Logistical preparations emphasized efficient crowd management, including over 300 security personnel from Sword Security covering the stadium and adjacent festival venues like the Hamilton Convention Centre to ensure safety during the sold-out event.[19] On-site parking was severely limited, prompting organizers to promote alternatives such as the Hamilton Street Railway's "Ticket to Ride" program, which offered free transit rides to ticket holders from remote park-and-ride lots, alongside shuttle services and rideshare drop-offs to mitigate congestion around the field.[20][21]Entertainment
Pre-Game Events
The 2023 Grey Cup Festival, held in Hamilton, Ontario, from November 13 to 19, served as the primary pre-game celebration leading up to the 110th Grey Cup on November 19 at Tim Hortons Field.[3] Organized by the Hamilton Sports Group, the festival featured over 40 events across downtown Hamilton and nearby Niagara Falls, fostering a vibrant atmosphere with family-oriented activities, live music, and football-themed experiences.[3] Key highlights included Fan Central on James Street North from November 16 to 18, which offered a street festival with food trucks, live concerts, autograph sessions with current and former CFL players, and the Hamilton Christmas Market.[3] Additional attractions encompassed the Canadian Armed Forces Fan Zone at the John Weir Foote Armoury, featuring a 35-yard turf field for interactive football drills, and the Grey Cup Santa Claus Parade on November 18 along Bay Street North.[3] Most events were free, with complimentary shuttle services connecting Hamilton and Niagara Falls venues from November 16 to 19 to enhance accessibility for attendees.[3] The competing teams, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Montreal Alouettes, arrived in Hamilton on November 13, marking the official start of game-week preparations.[22] The Alouettes landed at the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport at 4:20 p.m. ET via flight NRL600, greeted by media on the tarmac before heading to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' locker room at Tim Hortons Field, while the Blue Bombers arrived at 6:30 p.m. ET on flight WS9551 and settled into the visiting locker room.[22] Both teams participated in media availabilities inside the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum hangar, where coaches and select players, including Winnipeg's Mike O’Shea and Zach Collaros alongside Montreal's Jason Maas and Cody Fajardo, addressed the press and shared insights on their preparations.[22] On game day, pre-game ceremonies at Tim Hortons Field commenced with player introductions, a tradition that highlighted key starters from each team as they entered the field amid fan cheers and pyrotechnics.[23] Waterdown, Ontario native Simone Soman, a semifinalist on season two of Canada’s Got Talent and visually impaired performer who has shared stages with artists like The Beach Boys, sang the Canadian national anthem "O Canada" during the musical preludes.[24] The ceremonial coin toss followed, conducted by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, in line with longstanding tradition dating back to the trophy's donation by Earl Grey in 1909; Simon flipped the coin between team captains from the Blue Bombers and Alouettes to determine field position.[25]Halftime Show
The Twisted Tea Grey Cup Halftime Show at the 110th Grey Cup featured American rock band Green Day as the headliner, performing a high-energy set on November 19, 2023, at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario.[26][27] Sponsored by Twisted Tea, the performance integrated CFL branding through its official title and on-field presentation, aligning with the league's tradition of major musical acts to enhance the championship spectacle.[26] Green Day delivered a four-song mini-set lasting approximately 15 minutes, opening with "The American Dream Is Killing Me" from their 2023 album Saviors, followed by fan favorites "Basket Case," "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," and closing with "Holiday."[27] The stage was positioned under the north endzone scoreboard, allowing for a field-level setup that facilitated direct engagement with the 28,808 spectators.[27][1] Production elements included vibrant lighting, pyrotechnics, and fireworks that lit up the night sky, complementing the band's punk rock style on a chilly evening with temperatures around 0 °C.[27][28] Audience participation was encouraged, with frontman Billie Joe Armstrong prompting fans to wave phone lights during "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," creating a sea of illumination across the stadium.[27] The show received widespread positive reception for its nostalgic hits and energetic delivery, with critics noting it as a "powerful" and "surprisingly great" performance that played to the band's strengths without unnecessary risks.[27][29] No major controversies arose, though some observers highlighted the cold weather as a challenge that the band overcame with their fiery presentation.[30]Teams
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes entered the 2023 CFL season following a challenging 2022 campaign that ended in a 9-9 record and a playoff miss, but under new head coach Jason Maas, the team showed significant improvement. Maas, a former CFL quarterback who had served as offensive coordinator for the Edmonton Elks, was hired in December 2022 to revitalize the offense and instill discipline. The Alouettes finished the regular season with an 11-7 record, securing second place in the East Division behind the Toronto Argonauts' dominant 16-2 mark. This performance marked their first winning season since 2012 and qualified them for the playoffs as the East Division's second seed. In the postseason, the Alouettes demonstrated their resurgence by dominating the Eastern Semi-Final against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, winning 27-12 on November 4 at Percival Molson Stadium. Quarterback Cody Fajardo threw for 260 yards and two touchdowns, while the defense held Hamilton to just 12 points. Advancing to the Eastern Final, Montreal faced the top-seeded Argonauts and pulled off an upset victory, 38-17, on November 11 at BMO Field in Toronto. The Alouettes' balanced attack overwhelmed Toronto's defense, earning them the East Division championship and a berth in the 110th Grey Cup—their first appearance since 2010. This success capped a remarkable turnaround, as Montreal had not won a playoff game since 2012. Key to the Alouettes' path was the leadership of Fajardo, who was named the East Division's Most Outstanding Player after passing for 3,136 yards and 20 touchdowns during the regular season.[31] Wide receiver Tyson Philpot emerged as a standout, recording 47 receptions for 532 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games due to injury, earning him East Division All-Star honors and later the Grey Cup's Most Outstanding Canadian award; he signed a contract extension with the Alouettes in December 2025.[32] The coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Anthony Calvillo—a Hall of Famer and former Alouettes great—played a pivotal role in integrating new talent and maximizing the roster's potential. For Montreal, reaching the Grey Cup represented a return to prominence, building on their last championship victory in 2010 against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers approached the 2023 CFL season as the runners-up from the previous year's Grey Cup, seeking to build on their strong playoff pedigree under head coach Mike O'Shea in his ninth year with the team. The squad compiled an impressive 14-4 regular season record, clinching first place in the West Division and earning home-field advantage for the playoffs. This performance marked their sixth straight postseason appearance, driven by a balanced offense and stout defense that limited opponents to under 21 points per game on average.[33] Central to the Bombers' success was quarterback Zach Collaros, who provided steady leadership despite missing time due to injuries, including an upper-body issue in August that sidelined him briefly during a comeback win over Edmonton. Running back Brady Oliveira stepped up as a focal point of the rushing attack, amassing 261 carries for 1,540 yards and five touchdowns while earning the team's Most Outstanding Player honors and a nomination for the league-wide award.[34] The roster's depth was tested by various injuries, particularly affecting key receivers who rotated in and out, but the unit adapted effectively to maintain offensive momentum.[35][36] In the playoffs, Winnipeg advanced to the 110th Grey Cup by defeating the BC Lions 24-13 in the Western Final at IG Field, where Collaros completed 14 of 21 passes for 158 yards and Oliveira rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown. O'Shea's defensive strategy shone, holding BC to just 222 total yards and forcing two turnovers in a gritty, low-scoring affair that highlighted the team's resilience en route to Hamilton.[37]Head-to-Head History
The Montreal Alouettes and Winnipeg Blue Bombers have a storied rivalry dating back to the early days of the Canadian Football League, with the two teams having met numerous times in regular-season play prior to the 2023 campaign, resulting in a near-even split.[38] This competitive balance underscores a series marked by tight contests and defensive intensity, where low-scoring affairs have often defined key matchups, reflecting both franchises' emphasis on physical, ground-oriented football. Over the decades, the Alouettes have occasionally held the edge in head-to-head scoring, averaging slightly higher points per game in their victories, though Winnipeg's recent form has shifted momentum toward the West Division powerhouse.[39] In the 2023 regular season, the Blue Bombers swept the season series against the Alouettes, asserting dominance in what would foreshadow their path to the Grey Cup. On July 1 at Percival Molson Stadium, Winnipeg secured a 17-3 victory behind a stifling defense that limited Montreal to just 219 total yards and forced two turnovers, marking one of the Alouettes' lowest offensive outputs of the year.[40] Later, on August 24 at IG Field, the Blue Bombers delivered a decisive 47-17 thrashing, powered by a balanced attack that included 285 rushing yards and four touchdowns from running back Brady Oliveira, extending their win streak to five games and highlighting their control of the line of scrimmage.[41] These results gave Winnipeg a 2-0 edge for the year, amplifying the stakes for their first-ever Grey Cup clash.[42] The teams' playoff history adds intrigue, with only two prior postseason encounters before 2023, split evenly at 1-1 and both occurring when divisional alignments allowed crossovers. In the 2000 East Division Final, the Alouettes prevailed 35-24 over the Blue Bombers at Olympic Stadium, riding a strong second-half surge led by quarterback Tracy Ham to advance to the Grey Cup.[43] Seven years later, in the 2007 East Division Semifinal, Winnipeg reversed fortunes with a narrow 24-22 win at Canad Inns Stadium, thanks to a late interception and field goal that ended Montreal's season.[44] Notably, the 2023 Grey Cup represented their inaugural championship meeting, building on this sparse but tense playoff legacy.[45] Overall trends in the rivalry reveal a pattern of defensive battles, with many recent meetings decided by 10 points or fewer, emphasizing special teams and turnovers as pivotal factors.[46] Heading into the 110th Grey Cup, Winnipeg's recent sweep contrasted with Montreal's historical resilience in high-stakes games, setting the stage for a matchup where past parity suggested an upset was possible despite the Blue Bombers' momentum.[39]Game Preparation
Uniforms
The Montreal Alouettes, designated as the home team for the 110th Grey Cup, wore navy blue jerseys paired with matching navy blue pants and helmets.[22] The Winnipeg Blue Bombers opted for white jerseys accented with gold pants, a commemorative alternate design they had worn in their prior three Grey Cup appearances (2019 and 2021 wins against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and a 2022 loss to the Toronto Argonauts).[47] This ensemble provided a clean, traditional look that highlighted the team's gold accents and evoked their history in championship games. Both teams' uniforms were produced by New Era, the CFL's official manufacturer since 2019.[48] The jerseys included special 110th Grey Cup patches on the sleeves, featuring the event's official logo—a stylized rendering of the Grey Cup trophy against a dynamic background—to mark the league's milestone anniversary.[49][50] The contrasting color schemes—Alouettes' all-navy versus Blue Bombers' white and gold—created a sharp visual distinction on the field at Tim Hortons Field, enhancing the game's aesthetic appeal for spectators. Fan reception focused on the familiarity of the designs, with Blue Bombers supporters appreciating the continuity of their championship alternate, while Alouettes fans noted the bold cohesion of the home kit in a high-stakes setting.[47]Montreal Alouettes Depth Chart
The following outlines the starting lineup and key reserves for the Montreal Alouettes as per the official pre-game depth chart.[51]Offense
| Position | Starters | Key Reserves |
|---|---|---|
| QB | Cody Fajardo* | Caleb Evans* |
| RB | William Stanback* | Jeshrun Antwi |
| FB | James Tuck | David Dallaire |
| WR | Tyson Philpot, Austin Mack*, Tyler Snead*, Cole Spieker*, James Letcher Jr.* | Régis Cibasu, Shedler Fervius |
| OL | Nick Callender* (RT), Philippe Gagnon (RG), Justin Lawrence (C), Landon Rice (LG), Kristian Matte (LT) | Jamar McGloster*, Sean Jamieson |
Defense
| Position | Starters | Key Reserves |
|---|---|---|
| DE | Shawn Lemon* | Brock Gowanlock |
| DT | Almondo Sewell*, Mustafa Johnson* | Vincent Desjardins |
| LB | Darnell Sankey*, Avery Williams*, Tyrice Beverette* | Reggie Stubblefield* |
| DB | Ciante Evans*, Wesley Sutton*, Dionte Ruffin*, Marc-Antoine Dequoy | Kabion Ento*, Dishon McNary Jr.* |
Special Teams
| Position | Starters | Key Reserves |
|---|---|---|
| K | David Côté | - |
| P | Joseph Zema | - |
| LS | Louis-Philippe Bourassa | - |
| RET | James Letcher Jr.* | - |
Winnipeg Blue Bombers Depth Chart
The following outlines the starting lineup and key reserves for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as per the official pre-game depth chart.[51]Offense
| Position | Starters | Key Reserves |
|---|---|---|
| QB | Zach Collaros* | Chris Brown* |
| RB | Brady Oliveira | Janarion Grant* |
| WR | Kenny Lawler*, Nic Demski, Keon Hatcher*, Dalton Schoen* | Rasheed Bailey*, Shaq Alston*, Jake Wieneke, Drew Wolitarsky |
| SB | Rasheed Bailey* | Shaq Alston* |
| OL | Stanley Bryant* (RG), Pat Neufeld (C), Michael Dornell (LG), Chris Kolankowski (LT), Jermarcus Hardrick* (RT) | - |
Defense
| Position | Starters | Key Reserves |
|---|---|---|
| DE | Willie Jefferson*, Jackson Jeffcoat* | Malik Carney |
| DT | Christian Covington | Demerio Houston |
| LB | Adam Bighill*, Fraser Sankey, J-Min Pogen | Jesse Briggs |
| CB | Deontay Williams*, Winston Rose*, Kiondre Smith | - |
| FS | Brandon Alexander* | - |
| SB | Janarion Grant* | - |
Special Teams
| Position | Starters | Key Reserves |
|---|---|---|
| K/P | Sergio Castillo* | - |
| LS | Chris Montgomery | - |
| KR/PR | Janarion Grant* | - |
Substitutions and Injuries
No significant injuries or substitutions were reported during the game. Pre-game, Winnipeg's Dalton Schoen (WR) and Adam Bighill (LB) were game-time decisions due to injuries but both started and participated fully.[52][53]Game Summary
Conditions and Officials
The 110th Grey Cup was played under cool and clear conditions at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario, with game-time temperatures around 5°C and no precipitation reported. Light winds, gusting up to 33 km/h, were present but did not significantly disrupt play, contributing to a defensive battle on the field.[54][55] The officiating crew, selected as the CFL's highest-rated officials for the 2023 season, was led by referee Tim Kroeker in his 17th season and sixth Grey Cup appearance. The full crew included umpire Troy Semenchuk, down judge Andrew Wakefield, line judge Rob Hill, side judge Pierre Laporte, back judge Larry Butler, and field judge Jason Maggio, along with backups Tom Vallesi, Chris Shapka, Kevin Riopel, and Brian Chrupalo. No major controversies or overturned calls were reported during the game, maintaining a smooth flow under standard CFL rules.[56] The game followed standard Canadian Football League regulations, featuring 12 players per side, three downs per possession, and a 110-yard field with end zones measuring 20 yards deep. As per Grey Cup tradition, the post-game trophy presentation involved the Governor General or a representative awarding the Grey Cup to the champions on the field, followed by speeches and celebrations. Attendance reached 28,808, filling the stadium to capacity for the sellout event.[56][16]First Quarter
The game began with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers taking an early lead on a 25-yard field goal by Sergio Castillo at the 6:28 mark, following a drive that consumed over five minutes of possession.[1] Winnipeg extended their advantage to 10-0 midway through the quarter when Brady Oliveira capped a 68-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown run, converted by Castillo.[1] The Montreal Alouettes responded quickly, marching 75 yards in just over two minutes to score on a 32-yard touchdown run by William Stanback, narrowing the gap to 10-7 after David Côté's extra point.[1]Second Quarter
Winnipeg regained momentum in the second quarter, controlling the ball for nearly eight minutes on a drive that ended with Dakota Prukop's 1-yard touchdown plunge at 12:08, pushing the halftime score to 17-7 following Castillo's conversion.[1] The Blue Bombers' offence dominated possession in this period, while Montreal struggled to sustain drives, including one stalled by a turnover on downs.Third Quarter
Montreal mounted their comeback early in the third quarter, capitalizing on a Winnipeg turnover as Cody Fajardo connected with Cole Spieker for a 23-yard touchdown pass at 1:43, bringing the score to 17-14 after Côté's kick.[1] This score came off a drive aided by a Brady Oliveira fumble recovered by the Alouettes defence, though no immediate points followed the turnover itself.[57]Fourth Quarter
The Alouettes seized the lead at 3:48 when Fajardo threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Austin Mack, converting a multi-minute drive to make it 17-21.[1] Winnipeg answered with a 75-yard drive culminated by Prukop's 4-yard touchdown run at 9:32, regaining a 24-21 edge after the extra point.[1] With the game hanging in the balance, Montreal embarked on the game-winning drive starting from their own 35-yard line after a Winnipeg punt. On third-and-5, Fajardo found Spieker for a 31-yard gain, setting up the decisive 19-yard touchdown pass to Tyson Philpot at 14:47, securing the 28-24 victory with Côté's conversion and just 13 seconds remaining.[57][1] Overall, Winnipeg held a significant edge in time of possession at 37:44 compared to Montreal's 22:16, but the Alouettes' efficient late-game execution proved decisive.[1]| Quarter | Winnipeg | Montreal |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 10 | 7 |
| 2nd | 7 | 0 |
| 3rd | 0 | 7 |
| 4th | 7 | 14 |
| Total | 24 | 28 |
