90th Grey Cup
Encyclopedia
The 90th Grey Cup was the 2002
Canadian Football League
championship game played between the Edmonton Eskimos
and the Montreal Alouettes
on November 24 at Commonwealth Stadium, in Edmonton
, Alberta
. The Alouettes defeated the Eskimos, 25-16.
It was Don Matthews
’ fifth Grey Cup title as a head coach, tying him with Lew Hayman
, Frank Clair
and Hugh Campbell
for the all-time record.
, Jeremaine Copeland
(2); FGs Terry Baker
(1); cons., (3).
Edmonton Eskimos (16) - TDs, Ricky Walters, Ed Hervey
; FGs, Sean Fleming (1); cons., Fleming (1).
First Quarter
MTL – Single Baker 68 yard punt went through the end zone 4:34 1 - 0 MTL
Second Quarter
MTL – TD Woodcock 99 pass from Calvillo (Baker convert) 1:58 8 - 0 MTL
MTL – FG Baker 42 13:45 11 - 0 MTL
Third Quarter
EDM – TD Walters 17 pass from Ray (Fleming convert) 2:58 11 - 7 MTL
EDM – FG Fleming 13 8:54 11 - 10 MTL
Fourth Quarter
MTL – TD Copeland 47 pass from Calvillo (Baker convert) 3:07 18 - 10 MTL
EDM – TD Hervey 17 pass from Ray (convert failed) 14:41 18 - 16 MTL
MTL – TD Copeland 47 kick-off return (Baker convert) 14:48 25 - 16 MTL
A Grey Cup
rivalry which was born in the 1950s (Edmonton and Montreal have met in 11 Grey Cup
clashes) and intensified in the 1970s re-emerged in the new century on a frozen field at Commonwealth Stadium
in Edmonton
.
Montreal
had not been home to a Grey Cup champion since 1977, including nine years when it didn’t have a CFL team at all. But Anthony Calvillo
and the rest of his teammates brought prestige back to the franchise by defeating the hometown Eskimos.
Leading 1-0 after 15 minutes, the Alouettes gained 99 yards on one play for the longest touchdown reception in Grey Cup competition. Calvillo connected with Pat Woodcock
on the historic play.
Terry Baker
kicked a 42-yard field goal with 1:15 remaining in the second quarter to give the Alouettes an 11-0 lead at halftime.
Wanting to avoid becoming the first team to lose a Grey Cup game in their own building since 1983, the Eskimos rallied in the third quarter. On their opening drive Edmonton finally got on the scoreboard as Ricky Ray
threw a pass to Ricky Walters for a 17-yard touchdown. Sean Fleming kicked a 12-yard field goal later in the quarter to pull the Eskimos within one.
But early in the fourth quarter, the Alouettes struck again. This time Calvillo hit Jeremaine Copeland
on a 47-yard passing play for a touchdown, giving Montreal an 18-10 advantage.
With less than six minutes remaining in regulation and the Eskimos offence facing a third-and-10 on the Montreal 36, head coach Tom Higgins opted to go for it rather than attempt a 43-yard field goal. The gamble failed.
The Eskimos would make things uncomfortable for the Alouettes in the final minute. Ray connected with Ed Hervey
on a 17-yard touchdown pass with 19 seconds remaining in regulation. Needing a two-point convert to tie the score, Tim Strickland
broke up a pass intended for Terry Vaughn
.
Edmonton tried one last ditch effort with an onside kick attempt, but Copeland grabbed the football and ran 47 yards for his second touchdown, sealing the win for Montreal.
Calvillo was named the game’s Most Valuable Player completing just 11 of 31 pass attempts for 260 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
, Manitoba
) Winnipeg Blue Bombers
30-3 BC Lions
Final (November 17 @ Edmonton
, Alberta
) Edmonton Eskimos
33-30 Winnipeg Blue Bombers
, Ontario
) Toronto Argonauts
24-14 Saskatchewan Roughriders
*
Final (November 17 @ Montreal
, Quebec
) Montreal Alouettes
35-18 Toronto Argonauts
* Cross over from West Division
2002 CFL season
The 2002 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 49th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 45th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2002:...
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 played between 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...
and the 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...
on November 24 at Commonwealth Stadium, in 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...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
. The Alouettes defeated the Eskimos, 25-16.
It was Don Matthews
Don Matthews
Don Matthews, a.k.a. "The Don", is a former head coach of several teams in the Canadian Football League and is the second winningest head coach in CFL history with 231 wins...
’ fifth Grey Cup title as a head coach, tying him with Lew Hayman
Lew Hayman
Lewis Edward "Lew" Hayman was an American sports figure. He was one of the driving forces behind the Canadian Football League as coach, general manager, team president, and league president. As head coach, he was a five-time Grey Cup winner with three different teams...
, Frank Clair
Frank Clair
Frank James Clair was a coach in the Canadian Football League, nicknamed "the Professor" for his ability to recognize and develop talent. Clair is the 3rd all-time winningest head coach in the CFL with 147 wins and the winningest head coach in the post-season with 27 vistories...
and Hugh Campbell
Hugh Campbell
Hugh Campbell is a former American football and Canadian football player, coach, and executive. He served as a head coach in three different professional gridiron football leagues: the Canadian Football League, the United States Football League and the National Football League. Campbell retired...
for the all-time record.
Game summary
Montreal Alouettes (25) - TDs, Pat WoodcockPat Woodcock
Patrick Ian Woodcock is a Canadian football wide receiver who is currently a free agent.Woodcock attended American College at Syracuse University between 1997 and 2000 and he attended Holy Trinity Catholic High School, which is located in Kanata, Ontario...
, Jeremaine Copeland
Jeremaine Copeland
Jeremaine Copeland is a Canadian Football League wide receiver playing for the Toronto Argonauts. He has also played with the Montreal Alouettes and the Calgary Stampeders, as well as in the XFL and NFL Europe football player.-College career:Copeland attended the University of Tennessee...
(2); FGs Terry Baker
Terry Baker (Canadian football)
Terry Baker is a former punter and placekicker from 1987 to 2002 for four different teams of the Canadian Football League. In 1998 and 2000 he led the league in scoring....
(1); cons., (3).
Edmonton Eskimos (16) - TDs, Ricky Walters, Ed Hervey
Ed Hervey
Edward "Ed" Hervey is a retired Canadian football wide receiver who played for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League .-Professional career:...
; FGs, Sean Fleming (1); cons., Fleming (1).
First Quarter
MTL – Single Baker 68 yard punt went through the end zone 4:34 1 - 0 MTL
Second Quarter
MTL – TD Woodcock 99 pass from Calvillo (Baker convert) 1:58 8 - 0 MTL
MTL – FG Baker 42 13:45 11 - 0 MTL
Third Quarter
EDM – TD Walters 17 pass from Ray (Fleming convert) 2:58 11 - 7 MTL
EDM – FG Fleming 13 8:54 11 - 10 MTL
Fourth Quarter
MTL – TD Copeland 47 pass from Calvillo (Baker convert) 3:07 18 - 10 MTL
EDM – TD Hervey 17 pass from Ray (convert failed) 14:41 18 - 16 MTL
MTL – TD Copeland 47 kick-off return (Baker convert) 14:48 25 - 16 MTL
A 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...
rivalry which was born in the 1950s (Edmonton and Montreal have met in 11 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...
clashes) and intensified in the 1970s re-emerged in the new century on a frozen field at Commonwealth Stadium
Commonwealth Stadium (Edmonton)
Commonwealth Stadium is a sports stadium located in the Norwood Area of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, primarily used by the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. The stadium is owned and operated by the City of Edmonton.- History :...
in 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...
.
Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
had not been home to a Grey Cup champion since 1977, including nine years when it didn’t have a CFL team at all. But Anthony Calvillo
Anthony Calvillo
Anthony Calvillo is a Canadian Football League quarterback, currently playing for the Montreal Alouettes. He is the all-time professional football passing yards leader and first in all-time CFL passing yards...
and the rest of his teammates brought prestige back to the franchise by defeating the hometown Eskimos.
Leading 1-0 after 15 minutes, the Alouettes gained 99 yards on one play for the longest touchdown reception in Grey Cup competition. Calvillo connected with Pat Woodcock
Pat Woodcock
Patrick Ian Woodcock is a Canadian football wide receiver who is currently a free agent.Woodcock attended American College at Syracuse University between 1997 and 2000 and he attended Holy Trinity Catholic High School, which is located in Kanata, Ontario...
on the historic play.
Terry Baker
Terry Baker (Canadian football)
Terry Baker is a former punter and placekicker from 1987 to 2002 for four different teams of the Canadian Football League. In 1998 and 2000 he led the league in scoring....
kicked a 42-yard field goal with 1:15 remaining in the second quarter to give the Alouettes an 11-0 lead at halftime.
Wanting to avoid becoming the first team to lose a Grey Cup game in their own building since 1983, the Eskimos rallied in the third quarter. On their opening drive Edmonton finally got on the scoreboard as Ricky Ray
Ricky Ray
Ricky Ray is a Canadian and American football quarterback who has played in the Canadian Football League and af2, as well as spending time on a roster in the National Football League...
threw a pass to Ricky Walters for a 17-yard touchdown. Sean Fleming kicked a 12-yard field goal later in the quarter to pull the Eskimos within one.
But early in the fourth quarter, the Alouettes struck again. This time Calvillo hit Jeremaine Copeland
Jeremaine Copeland
Jeremaine Copeland is a Canadian Football League wide receiver playing for the Toronto Argonauts. He has also played with the Montreal Alouettes and the Calgary Stampeders, as well as in the XFL and NFL Europe football player.-College career:Copeland attended the University of Tennessee...
on a 47-yard passing play for a touchdown, giving Montreal an 18-10 advantage.
With less than six minutes remaining in regulation and the Eskimos offence facing a third-and-10 on the Montreal 36, head coach Tom Higgins opted to go for it rather than attempt a 43-yard field goal. The gamble failed.
The Eskimos would make things uncomfortable for the Alouettes in the final minute. Ray connected with Ed Hervey
Ed Hervey
Edward "Ed" Hervey is a retired Canadian football wide receiver who played for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League .-Professional career:...
on a 17-yard touchdown pass with 19 seconds remaining in regulation. Needing a two-point convert to tie the score, Tim Strickland
Tim Strickland
Timothy Strickland is a former Canadian Football League linebacker who played six seasons in the CFL for the Montreal Alouettes. He was an Eastern Division All-Star three times.- External links :...
broke up a pass intended for Terry Vaughn
Terry Vaughn
Terry Vaughn is a former Canadian Football League receiver most recently with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. On July 14, 2006 he became the all-time leader in receptions in the Canadian Football League, surpassing Darren Flutie's previous record of 973 receptions...
.
Edmonton tried one last ditch effort with an onside kick attempt, but Copeland grabbed the football and ran 47 yards for his second touchdown, sealing the win for Montreal.
Calvillo was named the game’s Most Valuable Player completing just 11 of 31 pass attempts for 260 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
West Division
Semi-final (November 10 @ WinnipegWinnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
) Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The 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...
30-3 BC Lions
BC Lions
The 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...
Final (November 17 @ 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...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
) 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...
33-30 Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The 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...
East Division
Semi-final (November 10 @ TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
) 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...
24-14 Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
*
Final (November 17 @ Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
) 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...
35-18 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...
* Cross over from West Division