2018 Grey Cup Calgary Stampeders vs Ottawa RedBlacks
Game Summary
Prior to kickoff, Calgary (CGY) won the coin toss and chose to defer to the second half, with Ottawa (OTT) choosing to kick the ball. Due to the freezing temperatures in Edmonton in the days prior to the event, the turf was slippery throughout the game, with Stampeders defensive lineman Ja’Gared Davis commenting that he had never played on a field with as little traction. The two teams opened the first quarter with quarterbacks Bo Levi Mitchell and Trevor Harris exchanging interceptions. Following their interception of Harris’ pass, the Stampeders opened the scoring in the last third of the first quarter with a 21-yard touchdown run by running back Don Jackson and a successful conversion by kicker Rene Paredes to put the Stampeders up 7–0. The Stampeders would not relinquish the lead for the rest of the game.
While the Stampeders began the second quarter with possession, the Redblacks would score on their following possession with a field goal by Lewis Ward, making the score 7–3. However, four minutes later the Stampeders would respond with another touchdown, this time courtesy a 17-yard pass from Mitchell to Lemar Durant, extending their lead to 14–3. The Redblacks would finally score their first touchdown of the game at the 12:35 mark of the second quarter with a successful pass from Harris to receiver Julian Feoli-Gudino, who caught the 25-yard pass at the 30-yard line and proceeded to run it into the endzone. The Redblacks opted to go for the two-point conversion rather than the kick to make the score 14–11. However, two minutes later Stampeders punt returner Terry Williams would score the final touchdown of the first half following a 97-yard punt return, setting a Grey Cup record for longest punt return. The previous record had stood since the 83rd Grey Cup in 1995 and was set by Chris Wright of the Baltimore Stallions. You’ve got to be in great shape to play 60 minutes of Football, here are 5 Diets to achieve your best body.
In comparison to the first two quarters, the third quarter was a quiet one offensively, with the two teams both managing a successful field goal to make the score 24–14 going into the fourth quarter. The Stampeders would kick another field goal three minutes into the fourth to increase their lead to 27–14. Facing a thirteen-point deficit, the Redblacks make an offensive push and made it to Calgary’s seven-yard line before an attempted touchdown pass was knocked down by Stampeders linebacker Jamar Wall, forcing a turnover on downs. Despite conceding a two points to the Redblacks as the result of a safety, the Stampeders managed to hold their opponents scoreless for the remainder of the game, allowing them to win with a final score of 27–16.
With his two successful field goal kicks, Stampeders kicker Rene Paredes became the all-time Grey Cup leader in field goal percentage, having successfully made all 11 of his field goal kicks throughout five career appearances in the Grey Cup. The previous record was 9-for-9 and was held by former Toronto Argonauts kicker Mike Vanderjagt.
Scoring summary
First quarter
CGY – TD D. Jackson 21 yard pass (Paredes convert) (4:49) 7–0 CGY
Second quarter
OTT – FG Ward 30 yards (12:50) 7–3 CGY
CGY – TD Durant 17 yard pass (Paredes convert) (8:47) 14–3 CGY
OTT – TD Feoli Gudino 55 yard pass (Beaulieu two-point convert) (2:25) 14–11 CGY
CGY – TD T. Williams 97 yard punt return (Paredes convert) (0:20) 21–11 CGY
Third quarter
OTT – FG Ward 41 yards (7:20) 21–14 CGY
CGY – FG Paredes 34 yards (3:53) 24–14 CGY
Fourth quarter
CGY – FG Paredes 29 yards (12:25) 27–14 CGY
OTT – Safety Maver (0:32) 27–16 CGY