CALGARY — The CFL’s longest championship drought is over, as Winnipeg native Andrew Harris scored twice and Justin Medlock kicked six field goals to lead the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to a 33-12 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 107th Grey Cup presented by Shaw.
Four-time Grammy Award winner Keith Urban rocked a McMahon Stadium gathering of 35,439 at halftime on Sunday night, while Harris set a Bombers Grey Cup record with 134 rushing yards to lead Winnipeg to its first Grey Cup since 1990. Harris became the first Blue Bomber to rush for more than 100 yards in a Grey Cup in 61 years, and only the second in franchise history.
Defensive end Willie Jefferson had three of the Bombers’ six sacks on Ticats quarterback Dane Evans, forcing two fumbles as part of a seven turnover night for the Winnipeg defence. Hamilton, meanwhile, lost Most Outstanding Player Brandon Banks to an apparent leg injury in the third quarter.
Harris opened the scoring with a 15-yard touchdown run off an Adam Bighill fumble recovery, and later hauled in an 18-yard pass from Chris Streveler to give Winnipeg a 17-6 lead in the second quarter that would not be relinquished. The Bombers’ running back was named Grey Cup Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Canadian, becoming the first in CFL history to win both honours.
Bombers starting quarterback Zach Collaros had a clean game, finishing 17-of-23 for 170 yards, while Streveler completed all three of his passing attempts for 39 yards and a touchdown. Kenny Lawler led the Bombers with 52 yards on three catches.
Tyrell Sutton rushed for 86 yards on 11 carries for the Ticats, who also had a strong effort from Jaelon Acklin with his game-high 88 yards on five catches. In the first Grey Cup start of his career, Evans threw for 203 yards on 16-of-27 passing for the Ticats with one touchdown and two interceptions. Bralon Addison scored the Ticats’ lone touchdown.