74th Grey Cup
Encyclopedia
The 74th Grey Cup was the 1986
Canadian Football League
championship game that was played at BC Place Stadium
in Vancouver
, between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
and the Edmonton Eskimos
. The Tiger-Cats unexpectedly dominated the Eskimos 39-15.
; FGs, Paul Osbaldiston
(6); cons., Osbaldiston
(3).
Edmonton Eskimos - (15) TDs, - Damon Allen
, Brian Kelly
; 2 pt-con., Damon Allen
; cons., Tom Dixon
.
Losers of the previous two Grey Cups, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
gave their long suffering fans something to celebrate with an unexpected dominant performance over the Edmonton Eskimos
.
Hamilton's defence, which was led by Grover Covington
and Ben Zambiasi
, sacked Edmonton quarterbacks' Matt Dunigan
and Damon Allen
a total of 10 times. They also forced eight turnovers to tie a Grey Cup record.
Hamilton jumped out to a 29-0 lead at halftime. They got it going early when Covington forced a Dunigan fumble, the ball recovered by Mitchell Price. This set up quarterback Mike Kerrigan
’s 35-yard touchdown pass to Steve Stapler. The game was just 1:35 old. The Tiger-Cats then got a big play from their special teams when Mark Streeter blocked Tom Dixon
’s punt attempt, which Jim Rockford recovered for another touchdown.
Hamilton then rode the boot of kicker Paul Osbaldiston
, who kicked five of his record-tying six field goals in the first 30 minutes, two of which came off turnovers; one on Howard Fields
’ interception off Allen, and another on a Dunigan fumble forced by Covington. Edmonton’s offence produced minus-one yard in offence in the first 30 minutes.
The Tiger-Cats continued their assault in the second half, when Kerrigan hit Ron Ingram
with a 44-yard touchdown pass.
The Eskimos finally got on the scoreboard late in the third quarter courtesy of a blocked punt by Larry Wruck
which Craig Shaffer recovered at the Hamilton 37. Quarterback Matt Dunigan got the Eskimos to six yards from the goal line, and backup Damon Allen ran it in from there. The Eskimos would add another major in the fourth quarter, but by then it was too late. Allen hit Brian Kelly
with a 13-yard touchdown pass then ran it in for a two-point convert.
Osbaldiston added his sixth field goal, a 47-yarder in the game’s final minute on what was an already decisive Grey Cup win.
and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
had met in the Grey Cup
was the 68th Grey Cup
in 1980, which was also lopsided, with Edmonton
winning 48 to 10.
Paul Osbaldiston
's (the Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian
) six field goals tied Montreal Alouettes
' Don Sweet
's record, set in 1977.
It was Hamilton’s first Grey Cup title since 1972, and their first win over the Eskimos since 1977. The Ticats entered the game as 12-point underdogs.
Grover Covington
finished the game with three sacks. Ben Zambiasi
recovered two fumbles, had one quarterback sack and six tackles. Both are inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame
.
It was Al Bruno
’s second Grey Cup triumph, his first as a head coach. Bruno won one as a player with the 1952 Toronto Argonauts
.
This was the last Grey Cup to use the dual CBC/CTV commentator sets, a practice that dated back to 1971.
On the blocked punt, Jim Rockford ripped the seat of his pants rolling into the end zone to score. He left the field and went to the locker room to change.
1986 CFL season
The 1986 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 33rd season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 29th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1986:...
Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
championship game that was played at BC Place Stadium
BC Place Stadium
BC Place is a multi-purpose stadium located at the north side of False Creek, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It serves as the home field for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC of Major League Soccer . Originally opened on June 19, 1983 as the...
in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium...
and the Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
. The Tiger-Cats unexpectedly dominated the Eskimos 39-15.
Game summary
Hamilton Tiger-Cats - (39) TDs, Steve Stapler, Jim Rockford, Ron IngramRon Ingram
Ronald Walter Ingram was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 114 games in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Chicago Black Hawks, and Detroit Red Wings. He was born in Toronto, Ontario....
; FGs, Paul Osbaldiston
Paul Osbaldiston
Paul Osbaldiston is a former punter and placekicker for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League from 1986-2003. Osbaldiston was a three-time CFL All-Star, seven-time East Division All-Star and a member of Hamilton’s 1986 and 1999 Grey Cup championship teams...
(6); cons., Osbaldiston
Paul Osbaldiston
Paul Osbaldiston is a former punter and placekicker for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League from 1986-2003. Osbaldiston was a three-time CFL All-Star, seven-time East Division All-Star and a member of Hamilton’s 1986 and 1999 Grey Cup championship teams...
(3).
Edmonton Eskimos - (15) TDs, - Damon Allen
Damon Allen
Damon Allen is a former professional quarterback in the Canadian Football League, most recently with the Toronto Argonauts. He is currently second in all-time professional football passing yards and second in all-time CFL passing yards after he was surpassed for first place by the Montréal...
, Brian Kelly
Brian Kelly (Canadian football player)
Brian Kelly was a Canadian Football League receiver for the Edmonton Eskimos who, in just nine years from 1979-1987 caught 575 passes for 11,169 yards and 97 touchdowns. Kelly was a member of 5 Grey Cup Championship teams in Edmonton. Kelly was the number 1 target of Eskimos Quarterback Warren...
; 2 pt-con., Damon Allen
Damon Allen
Damon Allen is a former professional quarterback in the Canadian Football League, most recently with the Toronto Argonauts. He is currently second in all-time professional football passing yards and second in all-time CFL passing yards after he was surpassed for first place by the Montréal...
; cons., Tom Dixon
Tom Dixon (American football)
Tom Dixon is a former All-American football center who played for the Michigan Wolverines from 1980 to 1983. Dixon started every game for the Wolverines in the 1981, 1982, and 1983 seasons. He was named a first-team All-American in 1983 by UPI, Kodak and Walter Camp and helped the Wolverines win...
.
Losers of the previous two Grey Cups, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium...
gave their long suffering fans something to celebrate with an unexpected dominant performance over the Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
.
Hamilton's defence, which was led by Grover Covington
Grover Covington
Grover Covington is a former Canadian Football League defensive end for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.-Personal life:...
and Ben Zambiasi
Ben Zambiasi
Benjamin Ray Zambiasi was a linebacker for the University of Georgia and in the Canadian Football League.Zambiasi was born in Valdosta, Georgia, and played for the Georgia Bulldogs from 1974 to 1977. While at Georgia Zambiasi led the Bulldogs with 467 career tackles tackling 173 in 1977...
, sacked Edmonton quarterbacks' Matt Dunigan
Matt Dunigan
Matt Dunigan is a former quarterback, coach, and executive in the Canadian Football League who is currently a CFL sportscaster for Canadian sports television channel TSN...
and Damon Allen
Damon Allen
Damon Allen is a former professional quarterback in the Canadian Football League, most recently with the Toronto Argonauts. He is currently second in all-time professional football passing yards and second in all-time CFL passing yards after he was surpassed for first place by the Montréal...
a total of 10 times. They also forced eight turnovers to tie a Grey Cup record.
Hamilton jumped out to a 29-0 lead at halftime. They got it going early when Covington forced a Dunigan fumble, the ball recovered by Mitchell Price. This set up quarterback Mike Kerrigan
Mike Kerrigan
Michael Joseph Kerrigan is a former professional quarterback.An undrafted free agent, Kerrigan spent his first three professional seasons as a third-string quarterback behind Tony Eason and Steve Grogan...
’s 35-yard touchdown pass to Steve Stapler. The game was just 1:35 old. The Tiger-Cats then got a big play from their special teams when Mark Streeter blocked Tom Dixon
Tom Dixon (American football)
Tom Dixon is a former All-American football center who played for the Michigan Wolverines from 1980 to 1983. Dixon started every game for the Wolverines in the 1981, 1982, and 1983 seasons. He was named a first-team All-American in 1983 by UPI, Kodak and Walter Camp and helped the Wolverines win...
’s punt attempt, which Jim Rockford recovered for another touchdown.
Hamilton then rode the boot of kicker Paul Osbaldiston
Paul Osbaldiston
Paul Osbaldiston is a former punter and placekicker for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League from 1986-2003. Osbaldiston was a three-time CFL All-Star, seven-time East Division All-Star and a member of Hamilton’s 1986 and 1999 Grey Cup championship teams...
, who kicked five of his record-tying six field goals in the first 30 minutes, two of which came off turnovers; one on Howard Fields
Howard Fields
Howard Fields is a former Gridiron football player in the Canadian Football League for nine years. Fields played cornerback for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Calgary Stampeders from 1981-1989. He was a CFL All-Star in 1985 and 1988, and also won the Grey Cup with the Tiger-Cats in 1986. He...
’ interception off Allen, and another on a Dunigan fumble forced by Covington. Edmonton’s offence produced minus-one yard in offence in the first 30 minutes.
The Tiger-Cats continued their assault in the second half, when Kerrigan hit Ron Ingram
Ron Ingram
Ronald Walter Ingram was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 114 games in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Chicago Black Hawks, and Detroit Red Wings. He was born in Toronto, Ontario....
with a 44-yard touchdown pass.
The Eskimos finally got on the scoreboard late in the third quarter courtesy of a blocked punt by Larry Wruck
Larry Wruck
Larry Wruck is a former linebacker who played twelve seasons for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League winning two Grey Cups....
which Craig Shaffer recovered at the Hamilton 37. Quarterback Matt Dunigan got the Eskimos to six yards from the goal line, and backup Damon Allen ran it in from there. The Eskimos would add another major in the fourth quarter, but by then it was too late. Allen hit Brian Kelly
Brian Kelly (Canadian football player)
Brian Kelly was a Canadian Football League receiver for the Edmonton Eskimos who, in just nine years from 1979-1987 caught 575 passes for 11,169 yards and 97 touchdowns. Kelly was a member of 5 Grey Cup Championship teams in Edmonton. Kelly was the number 1 target of Eskimos Quarterback Warren...
with a 13-yard touchdown pass then ran it in for a two-point convert.
Osbaldiston added his sixth field goal, a 47-yarder in the game’s final minute on what was an already decisive Grey Cup win.
Trivia
The only other time the Edmonton EskimosEdmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium...
had met in the Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
was the 68th Grey Cup
68th Grey Cup
The 68th Grey Cup was played on November 23, 1980 before 54,661 fans at the Exhibition Stadium at Toronto. The Edmonton Eskimos demolished the Hamilton Tiger-Cats by the score 48 to 10, in one of the Grey Cup's most lopsided victories.-Scoring:...
in 1980, which was also lopsided, with Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
winning 48 to 10.
Paul Osbaldiston
Paul Osbaldiston
Paul Osbaldiston is a former punter and placekicker for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League from 1986-2003. Osbaldiston was a three-time CFL All-Star, seven-time East Division All-Star and a member of Hamilton’s 1986 and 1999 Grey Cup championship teams...
's (the Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian
Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian
The Dick Suderman Trophy for the Grey Cup's Most Valuable Canadian is awarded annually to the Canadian player deemed to have the best performance in the Grey Cup game, the championship of the Canadian Football League....
) six field goals tied Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
' Don Sweet
Don Sweet
Don Sweet, , was a star football kicker for the Montreal Alouettes and Montreal Concordes of the Canadian Football League.-College years:...
's record, set in 1977.
It was Hamilton’s first Grey Cup title since 1972, and their first win over the Eskimos since 1977. The Ticats entered the game as 12-point underdogs.
Grover Covington
Grover Covington
Grover Covington is a former Canadian Football League defensive end for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.-Personal life:...
finished the game with three sacks. Ben Zambiasi
Ben Zambiasi
Benjamin Ray Zambiasi was a linebacker for the University of Georgia and in the Canadian Football League.Zambiasi was born in Valdosta, Georgia, and played for the Georgia Bulldogs from 1974 to 1977. While at Georgia Zambiasi led the Bulldogs with 467 career tackles tackling 173 in 1977...
recovered two fumbles, had one quarterback sack and six tackles. Both are inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame
Canadian Football Hall of Fame
The Canadian Football Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit corporation, located in Hamilton, Ontario, that celebrates great achievements in Canadian football. It is an open to the public institution. It includes displays about the Canadian Football League, Canadian university football and Canadian...
.
It was Al Bruno
Al Bruno
Albert P. "Al" Bruno is a retired gridiron football player, administrator, and coach who served as the head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats from 1983–1990.-Early life:...
’s second Grey Cup triumph, his first as a head coach. Bruno won one as a player with the 1952 Toronto Argonauts
Toronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
.
This was the last Grey Cup to use the dual CBC/CTV commentator sets, a practice that dated back to 1971.
On the blocked punt, Jim Rockford ripped the seat of his pants rolling into the end zone to score. He left the field and went to the locker room to change.
West Division
- Semi-final (November 16 @ Vancouver, British Columbia) BC LionsBC LionsThe BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954...
21-14 Winnipeg Blue BombersWinnipeg Blue BombersThe Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded...
- Semi-final (November 16 @ Edmonton, Alberta) Edmonton EskimosEdmonton EskimosThe Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
27-18 Calgary StampedersCalgary StampedersThe Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
- Final (November 23 @ Edmonton, Alberta) Edmonton EskimosEdmonton EskimosThe Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
41-5 BC LionsBC LionsThe BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954...
East Division
- Final - Game 1 (November 16 @ Hamilton, OntarioHamilton, OntarioHamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
) Toronto ArgonautsToronto ArgonautsThe Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
31-17 Hamilton Tiger-CatsHamilton Tiger-CatsThe Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium...
- Final - Game 2 (November 23 @ Toronto, Ontario) Hamilton Tiger-CatsHamilton Tiger-CatsThe Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium...
42-25 Toronto ArgonautsToronto ArgonautsThe Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
- Hamilton won their 2 game total-point series against Toronto by outscoring them 59-56. The Tiger-Cats advanced to the Grey Cup Championship game.