92nd Grey Cup
Encyclopedia
The 92nd Grey Cup game took place on November 21, 2004, at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa
, Ontario
. The game decided the championship of the 2004
Canadian Football League
season. The Toronto Argonauts
defeated the BC Lions
27-19.
(2), Robert Baker
; FGs Noel Prefontaine
(2); cons., Prefontaine
(3).
BC Lions (19) - TDs, Jason Clermont
, Dave Dickenson
; FGs Duncan O'Mahony
(2); cons. O'Mahony
(1).
First Quarter
BC – TD Clermont 12 pass from Dickenson (O'Mahony convert) 4:07 7 - 0 BC
Second Quarter
TOR – FG Prefontaine 27 7:40 7 - 3 BC
TOR – TD Allen 1 run (Prefontaine convert) 12:22 10 - 7 TOR
BC – FG O'Mahony 42 13:13 10 - 10 TIE
TOR – TD Baker 23 pass from Allen (Prefontaine convert) 14:37 17 - 10 TOR
Third Quarter
TOR – TD Allen 1 run (Prefontaine convert) 4:45 24 - 10 TOR
BC – FG O'Mahony 36 9:16 24 - 13 TOR
Fourth Quarter
BC – TD Dickenson 7 run (convert failed) 6:06 24 - 19 TOR
TOR – FG Prefontaine 16 12:19 27 - 19 TOR
The BC Lions
took the opening kickoff and fashioned an impressive drive that started and ended with a Jason Clermont
reception. Quarterback Dave Dickenson
was perfect on a series of short precision passes, taking the Lions from their own 38-yard-line down the field for a touchdown and an early 7-0 lead. The scoring play was a 12-yard toss to Clermont on a play fake that drew away the Toronto defence, which looked bewildered on the whole series.
Toronto
nearly hit a field goal later in the quarter, but a flag was thrown on Noel Prefontaine
's 39-yard attempt. The subsequent kick from 47 yards missed, leaving BC pinned near its own goal line.
But Dickenson engineered a series of first downs as the quarter wound down, moving the Lions to midfield with help from receivers Geroy Simon
and Ryan Thelwell
and a nine-yard carry by Antonio Warren
. Duncan O'Mahony
punted as the quarter ended, angling the ball out of bounds at the Argos' 21-yard line. Overall, BC had the ball in their possession a whopping 11 minutes in the opening 15.
Damon Allen
failed to ignite the Argos offence early in the second quarter, despite two quick chances thanks to a punt return fumble by Aaron Lockett of the Lions. On the second of two Noel Prefontaine punts, Lockett held on to the ball and ran BC to its own 50-yard line. But the Lions couldn't move the ball. Trying to avoid dangerous punt returner Bashir Levingston
, BC kicker Duncan O'Mahony angled his punt out of bounds for only nine yards, giving Toronto good field position.
A long completion from Allen to R. Jay Soward
moved the Argos to the BC 20, and a 27-yard field goal by Prefontaine put Toronto on the board.
Allen began to find his receivers on Toronto's next drive, hitting Robert Baker
for a 35-yarder and a 20-yarder to move inside the Lions' red zone. A pass interference call against the Lions then put the ball at the 1-yard line, and Allen plunged across for the touchdown and the Argos' first lead.
BC responded immediately, getting into field goal range on a Jason Clermont catch from Dave Dickenson. Duncan O'Mahony hit a 42-yarder to draw the Lions even.
But just before the half, Allen again connected with Baker for a 23-yard touchdown. The field-position advantage enjoyed by the Toronto Argonauts
in the second quarter continued on the opening drive, as Damon Allen got the ball at midfield. Allen moved the ball efficiently again, and for the second time in the game dove for a one-yard touchdown to give the Argos a 14-point lead.
Dave Dickenson had some success moving the ball for BC, but the Lions could only muster a 36-yard field goal by Duncan O'Mahony.
On Toronto's next possession, Allen went down with an apparent leg injury while running for a first down. Ironically, the play was called back on a holding penalty. Michael Bishop
replaced Allen at quarterback while the 41-year-old received treatment on the bench.
The Lions defence got its best pressure of the game on quarterback Michael Bishop early in the fourth, forcing an errant pass then nearly causing a fumble on the next play.
Dave Dickenson took over for the Lions at his own 10-yard line, and engineered an impressive drive. Lyle Green
caught two passes for first downs before running back Antonio Warren took over. Warren ran for 30 and 15 yards, setting up a Lions touchdown on Dave Dickenson's five-yard rush and dive into the end zone. Two consecutive time-count violations on a two-point conversion attempt pushed Duncan O'Mahony back for a 22-yard convert attempt that went wide.
Damon Allen returned to the game for the Argos, and was promptly decked as he tried to pass by a charging Barrin Simpson
.
Dickenson just missed a streaking Geroy Simon's outstretched hands to stop the next BC drive, and Toronto took over again with a short field.
Allen found Tony Miles
wide open and pushed down to the Lions' 10-yard line with the clock at three minutes and counting. Noel Prefontaine pushed the Argos' lead to eight points on a short field goal.
BC failed to move the ball on what would turn out to be its last chance with the ball, Dickenson just missing the outstretched hands of Geroy Simon on a bomb attempt.
With the ball back, the Argos got two crucial first downs and wound down the clock to win the game and their 15th Grey Cup.
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, 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....
. The game decided the championship of the 2004
2004 CFL season
The 2004 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 51st season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 47th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2004:...
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....
season. The 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...
defeated the 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...
27-19.
Game summary
Toronto Argonauts (27) - TDs, Damon AllenDamon 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...
(2), Robert Baker
Robert Baker (football player)
Robert Cedrick Baker, III is a former professional gridiron football player, most recently with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League from 2004 to 2006 as a slotback and wide receiver...
; FGs Noel Prefontaine
Noel Prefontaine
Noel Prefontaine is a professional Canadian football punter / kicker with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.- Early years :...
(2); cons., Prefontaine
Noel Prefontaine
Noel Prefontaine is a professional Canadian football punter / kicker with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.- Early years :...
(3).
BC Lions (19) - TDs, Jason Clermont
Jason Clermont
Jason Clermont is a professional Canadian football slotback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League . Clermont started his professional career with the BC Lions after being selected in the 2002 CFL Draft...
, Dave Dickenson
Dave Dickenson
David Dickenson is a former professional Canadian football player with the Calgary Stampeders and the BC Lions. Dickenson also played quarterback collegiately at the University of Montana, where he led the Montana Grizzlies to the 1995 NCAA I-AA college football championship.-High school...
; FGs Duncan O'Mahony
Duncan O'Mahony
Duncan O'Mahony [oh-MAH-nee] is a Canadian football punter and placekicker who is currently a free agent.- Early years :...
(2); cons. O'Mahony
Duncan O'Mahony
Duncan O'Mahony [oh-MAH-nee] is a Canadian football punter and placekicker who is currently a free agent.- Early years :...
(1).
First Quarter
BC – TD Clermont 12 pass from Dickenson (O'Mahony convert) 4:07 7 - 0 BC
Second Quarter
TOR – FG Prefontaine 27 7:40 7 - 3 BC
TOR – TD Allen 1 run (Prefontaine convert) 12:22 10 - 7 TOR
BC – FG O'Mahony 42 13:13 10 - 10 TIE
TOR – TD Baker 23 pass from Allen (Prefontaine convert) 14:37 17 - 10 TOR
Third Quarter
TOR – TD Allen 1 run (Prefontaine convert) 4:45 24 - 10 TOR
BC – FG O'Mahony 36 9:16 24 - 13 TOR
Fourth Quarter
BC – TD Dickenson 7 run (convert failed) 6:06 24 - 19 TOR
TOR – FG Prefontaine 16 12:19 27 - 19 TOR
The 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...
took the opening kickoff and fashioned an impressive drive that started and ended with a Jason Clermont
Jason Clermont
Jason Clermont is a professional Canadian football slotback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League . Clermont started his professional career with the BC Lions after being selected in the 2002 CFL Draft...
reception. Quarterback Dave Dickenson
Dave Dickenson
David Dickenson is a former professional Canadian football player with the Calgary Stampeders and the BC Lions. Dickenson also played quarterback collegiately at the University of Montana, where he led the Montana Grizzlies to the 1995 NCAA I-AA college football championship.-High school...
was perfect on a series of short precision passes, taking the Lions from their own 38-yard-line down the field for a touchdown and an early 7-0 lead. The scoring play was a 12-yard toss to Clermont on a play fake that drew away the Toronto defence, which looked bewildered on the whole series.
Toronto
Toronto
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...
nearly hit a field goal later in the quarter, but a flag was thrown on Noel Prefontaine
Noel Prefontaine
Noel Prefontaine is a professional Canadian football punter / kicker with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.- Early years :...
's 39-yard attempt. The subsequent kick from 47 yards missed, leaving BC pinned near its own goal line.
But Dickenson engineered a series of first downs as the quarter wound down, moving the Lions to midfield with help from receivers Geroy Simon
Geroy Simon
Geroy Simon is a professional Canadian football slotback with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League...
and Ryan Thelwell
Ryan Thelwell
Ryan Thelwell is a professional Canadian football wide receiver for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. He is known to the Lions' fans as "Automatic" . Thelwell played college football with the University of Minnesota...
and a nine-yard carry by Antonio Warren
Antonio Warren
Antonio Warren is a former Canadian Football League running back who played with the BC Lions and the Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Eskimos-College career:...
. Duncan O'Mahony
Duncan O'Mahony
Duncan O'Mahony [oh-MAH-nee] is a Canadian football punter and placekicker who is currently a free agent.- Early years :...
punted as the quarter ended, angling the ball out of bounds at the Argos' 21-yard line. Overall, BC had the ball in their possession a whopping 11 minutes in the opening 15.
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...
failed to ignite the Argos offence early in the second quarter, despite two quick chances thanks to a punt return fumble by Aaron Lockett of the Lions. On the second of two Noel Prefontaine punts, Lockett held on to the ball and ran BC to its own 50-yard line. But the Lions couldn't move the ball. Trying to avoid dangerous punt returner Bashir Levingston
Bashir Levingston
Bashir A. Levingston [ba-SHAR] is a professional Canadian football cornerback and kick returner in the Canadian Football League who is currently a free agent.-College football career:...
, BC kicker Duncan O'Mahony angled his punt out of bounds for only nine yards, giving Toronto good field position.
A long completion from Allen to R. Jay Soward
R. Jay Soward
Rodney Jay Soward is a football player who currently plays for the IFL's Wenatchee Valley Venom as a wide receiver.-College career:...
moved the Argos to the BC 20, and a 27-yard field goal by Prefontaine put Toronto on the board.
Allen began to find his receivers on Toronto's next drive, hitting Robert Baker
Robert Baker (football player)
Robert Cedrick Baker, III is a former professional gridiron football player, most recently with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League from 2004 to 2006 as a slotback and wide receiver...
for a 35-yarder and a 20-yarder to move inside the Lions' red zone. A pass interference call against the Lions then put the ball at the 1-yard line, and Allen plunged across for the touchdown and the Argos' first lead.
BC responded immediately, getting into field goal range on a Jason Clermont catch from Dave Dickenson. Duncan O'Mahony hit a 42-yarder to draw the Lions even.
But just before the half, Allen again connected with Baker for a 23-yard touchdown. The field-position advantage enjoyed by the 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...
in the second quarter continued on the opening drive, as Damon Allen got the ball at midfield. Allen moved the ball efficiently again, and for the second time in the game dove for a one-yard touchdown to give the Argos a 14-point lead.
Dave Dickenson had some success moving the ball for BC, but the Lions could only muster a 36-yard field goal by Duncan O'Mahony.
On Toronto's next possession, Allen went down with an apparent leg injury while running for a first down. Ironically, the play was called back on a holding penalty. Michael Bishop
Michael Bishop (football player)
Michael Paul Bishop is a professional football quarterback who is currently on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Practice Squad. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots....
replaced Allen at quarterback while the 41-year-old received treatment on the bench.
The Lions defence got its best pressure of the game on quarterback Michael Bishop early in the fourth, forcing an errant pass then nearly causing a fumble on the next play.
Dave Dickenson took over for the Lions at his own 10-yard line, and engineered an impressive drive. Lyle Green
Lyle Green
Lyle Green is a gridiron football fullback who is a free agent. He most recently played for the BC Lions.Green went to the University of Toledo. With the Lions he is number 28...
caught two passes for first downs before running back Antonio Warren took over. Warren ran for 30 and 15 yards, setting up a Lions touchdown on Dave Dickenson's five-yard rush and dive into the end zone. Two consecutive time-count violations on a two-point conversion attempt pushed Duncan O'Mahony back for a 22-yard convert attempt that went wide.
Damon Allen returned to the game for the Argos, and was promptly decked as he tried to pass by a charging Barrin Simpson
Barrin Simpson
Barrin Simpson "The Minister of Defence" is a Canadian Football League linebacker currently playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Simpson has previously played for the BC Lions, and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers....
.
Dickenson just missed a streaking Geroy Simon's outstretched hands to stop the next BC drive, and Toronto took over again with a short field.
Allen found Tony Miles
Tony Miles (football player)
Tony Miles is a Canadian Football League wide receiver/punt returner who is currently a free agent.-College career:...
wide open and pushed down to the Lions' 10-yard line with the clock at three minutes and counting. Noel Prefontaine pushed the Argos' lead to eight points on a short field goal.
BC failed to move the ball on what would turn out to be its last chance with the ball, Dickenson just missing the outstretched hands of Geroy Simon on a bomb attempt.
With the ball back, the Argos got two crucial first downs and wound down the clock to win the game and their 15th Grey Cup.
Notable participants
- Casey PrintersCasey PrintersCasey J. Printers was a professional American football and Canadian football player. He played college football at Texas Christian University from 1999 to 2001, leading his team to three straight bowl games, before transferring to Florida A&M for his senior year...
, the 2004 Most Outstanding Player, dressed for the game but did not see any playing time.
- Jason Clermont, a ReginaRegina, SaskatchewanRegina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
native who scored the game's opening touchdown, was also named the Most Outstanding Canadian AwardCFL's Most Outstanding Canadian AwardThe Most Outstanding Canadian Award is annually rewarded to the best Canadian player in the Canadian Football League. This is the second-last award to be given during the CFL Awards banquet, which takes place the week before Grey Cup weekend in the same city where it is hosted. The two nominees...
in the CFL over the season.
- Toronto Argonauts' 41-year-old quarterback Damon Allen, was named the games's Most Valuable PlayerGrey Cup Most Valuable PlayerThe Grey Cup's Most Valuable Player award is awarded annually to the player deemed to have the best performance in the Grey Cup Game, the Canadian Football League's championship game.-Grey Cup Most Valuable Player Award winners:...
for the third time in his career.
- With the victory, Argonauts head coachHead coachA head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
Mike "Pinball" Clemons became the first black head coach to ever win the Grey Cup.
West Division
- Semi-final (November 7 @ Edmonton, Alberta) Saskatchewan RoughridersSaskatchewan RoughridersThe 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...
14-6 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... - Final (November 14 @ 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...
27-25 Saskatchewan RoughridersSaskatchewan RoughridersThe 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...
(OT)
East Division
- Semi-final (November 5 @ Toronto, Ontario) 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...
24-6 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 (November 14 @ MontrealMontrealMontreal 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...
, QuebecQuebecQuebec 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....
) 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...
26-18 Montreal AlouettesMontreal AlouettesThe 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...