Argonauts 41 – Blue Bombers 24 | The victory of inexperience

On one side, the best offense in the Canadian Football League (CFL). On the other, the best defense. And for a rare time, the established expression did not have its effect. Sunday night, in Vancouver, it was the offense that won the championship.

The Toronto Argonauts had averaged 28.5 points this season. They triumphed as part of the 111^e Gray Cup by exceeding this par, with a 41-24 victory against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

This duel was also one at odds with the quarterback position. Zach Collaros, 36, led his team to the final for the fifth consecutive season.

On the other hand, Nick Arbuckle participated in this major meeting for the first time. In fact, it was his first playoff start, at age 31. During the East Division final against the Montreal Alouettes, regular starter Chad Kelly broke his shin in the third quarter.

So with 25 starts under his belt, Arbuckle became the second least experienced quarterback to start the Gray Cup game.

The Californian started the match timidly, moreover. Even though he made his first eight passes, he wasn’t trying anything too reckless. In fact, it took him a while to find his comfort. His movements in the pocket did not seem fluid. However, like his career, Arbuckle knew how to adjust. A long 36-yard pass caught by Damonte Coxie in the final minutes of the first half brought him out of his torpor.

The Argos trailed 10-9 at the half. They were still in the game thanks to three placements from Lirim Hajrullahu.

It’s hard to say whether it was that highlight or the halftime performance by The Jonas Brothers that sparked the pivot, but a transformed man showed up on the artificial turf at BC Place for the second half of the game. .

The rest of the meeting was a real whirlwind. A 17-yard touchdown pass to Quebecer Kevin Mital in the third quarter. An 18-yard pass to Dejon Brissett in the fourth quarter to take a 24-16 lead. And above all, the ability to limit errors and maintain a lead which, in principle, was no guarantee against the Winnipeg defense.

Arbuckle finally finished the game with 252 yards of offense, 26 passes completed in 37 attempts and a title in his pocket.

The collapse of Zach Collaros

With his teammate Willie Jefferson, Collaros held the advantage of being the most experienced player, with a sixth appearance in the final.

The 36-year-old quarterback, however, carried with him a reputation for crashing on big occasions, with a record of two wins and three losses.

Nothing to help his cause, not only did he add a fourth loss to his record, but his performance will be remembered as one of the worst in Gray Cup history.

Zach Collaros became the first quarterback since 1977 to have four interceptions in the final game.

But beyond this lackluster mark, Collaros was extinguished, thrown off course and overwhelmed by events. He completed only half of his 30 passes for barely 200 yards. Even worse, he didn’t throw a single touchdown pass.

Like during the 2023 Gray Cup. And like during the 2022 Gray Cup. Two years where his team also suffered defeat. Thus, in six finals, Collaros accumulated three touchdown passes, against eight interceptions.

Even though this data can largely explain this other defeat of the Bombers in the final, no one in this offensive unit tried to save Collaros, out of breath from struggling in these choppy waters. Star running back Brady Oliveira, dominant with 1,353 yards this season, claimed 84 yards rushing. Nick Demski, the team’s most reliable receiver, caught just two of seven passes thrown his way. Even though Collaros was drowning, none of his teammates came to his rescue.

Only Jefferson, a defensive end needing no introduction, really gave his team a chance. With two sacks, a tackle for loss and an interception, the 33-year-old veteran played to the height of his talent. But since the great pyramids were not built by a single man, it is very difficult to reach the top when only one player gets involved.

The triumph of defense

Alouettes fans are undoubtedly still having trouble recovering from the defeat of their favorites in the Eastern final, which occurred a week ago. The Birds were unable to defend their title because of the brilliance of Toronto’s defense.

And if the Argonauts can enjoy a 19^e victory in the final is thanks to their defense.

Masters of turnovers since the start of the playoffs, the Argos players picked up where they left off in Montreal. Benjie Franklin, again, made his fourth interception in three games at the end of the second quarter.

Momentarily in the infirmary to treat a cut on his right hand during the third quarter, Collaros sent his first pass, upon his return, directly into the hands of DaShaun Amos.

A little more than three minutes later, Robert Priester returned a steal 61 yards into the end zone to put the game out of reach for the Bombers, at 33-16.

Less than 60 seconds later, to add insult to injury, Wynton McManis became the fourth player to make Collaros and the Winnipeg offense look bad with an interception.

It was the 12^e turnaround caused by the Argos in the playoffs.

Finally, perhaps the saying was true, because the defense also had its say in this championship.