2014 Grey Cup – Calgary Stampeders vs Hamilton Tiger Cats

The 102nd Grey Cup was a Canadian football game played November 30, 2014, between the West Division champion Calgary Stampeders and East Division champion Hamilton Tiger-Cats, to determine the Canadian Football League (CFL) championship for the 2014 season. The contest was held at BC Place stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Stampeders won the contest 20–16 to claim their seventh Grey Cup championship in franchise history and first since 2008. Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell was named the Grey Cup Most Valuable Player, while Hamilton’s Andy Fantuz received the Dick Suderman Trophy as most outstanding Canadian.

Entertainment

Alternative rock band Imagine Dragons headlined the contest’s half time show. It was the third time an American band has been brought in to perform, a decision that some Canadians have criticized due to a preference for using the stage to promote local talent. Canadian artist Dallas Smith performed during the pre-game festivities and Nikki Yanofsky accompanied by 102 members of the Costal Music Academy sang O Canada. In Vancouver, organizers opted to host events and festivities in a single location around the city’s convention centre in a bid to create a “small-town feel” and try to “overcome the big-small divide that is apparent between CFL cities”.

Game Summary

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats were unable to get their offence working early in the game as they ended the first quarter with just 12 yards rushing and only 4 net yards. Calgary had 120 net yards, 117 passing, but began the second quarter with only a 7–0 lead following a one-yard touchdown rush by Drew Tate at the 9:48 mark. Tate scored a second touchdown 48 seconds into the second quarter and Calgary added a field goal to extend their lead to 17–0. The Stampeders maintained the score when Demonte Bolden blocked Hamilton’s attempted field goal with six minutes remaining in the half, however the Tiger-Cats scored their first points of the game three minutes later when quarterback Zach Collaros connected with Brandon Banks on a 45-yard pass play; Calgary led 17–7 at the half.
Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell completed ten consecutive passes midway through the game, tying him for the third longest streak in Grey Cup history, but the Stampeders could add only a field goal in the third quarter to take a 20–7 lead. Hamilton scored a field goal early in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to ten points, then regained possession after Delvin Breaux intercepted Mitchell for the only turnover of the game. Collaros moved the Tiger-Cats offence to within three yards of the goal line, but Hamilton was forced to settle for a field goal. The Tiger-Cats against marched the ball into Calgary territory but were again prevented from scoring a touchdown after Corey Mace sacked Collaros on second down. Hamilton scored a third consecutive field goal to cut the lead to 20–16 with 2:05 remaining in the contest.

Calgary was forced to punt with less than a minute to play. Brandon Banks received the punt and ran the ball 90 yards for an apparent touchdown to give Hamilton a lead, however the play was called back when Taylor Reed was penalized for an illegal block. Instead, Hamilton’s offence began at their defensive 12-yard line. The Tiger-Cats subsequently ran out of time as Collaros’ attempted pass on the final play of the game fell incomplete.

The 20–16 victory represented the franchise’s seventh Grey Cup championship and first since 2008. Bo Levi Mitchell was named the Grey Cup Most Valuable Player after completing 25 of 34 passes for 334 yards. Hamilton’s Andy Fantuz received the Dick Suderman Trophy as the Most Outstanding Canadian. He received six passes for 81 yards.

Game Highlights

Scoring Summary

First Quarter
CGY – TD Tate 1 yd rush (5:12) 0 – 7 CGY
Second Quarter
CGY – TD Tate 1 yd rush (14:26) 0 – 14 CGY
CGY – FG Paredes 11 yd (2:17) 0 – 17 CGY
HAM – TD Banks 45 yd receiving (1:21) 7 – 17 CGY
Third Quarter
CGY – FG Paredes 20 yd (4:20) 7 – 20 CGY
Fourth Quarter
HAM – FG Medlock 25 (11:55) 10 – 20 CGY
HAM – FG Medlock 12 (5:35) 13 – 20 CGY
HAM – FG Medlock 37 (2:05) 16 – 20 CGY