78th Grey Cup
Encyclopedia
The 78th Grey Cup was the 1990
Canadian Football League
championship game played between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
and the Edmonton Eskimos
at BC Place Stadium
in Vancouver, BC. The Blue Bombers defeated the Eskimos, 50-11.
, Perry Tuttle
, Rick House
; FGs, Trevor Kennerd
(2); cons., Kennerd
(6), safety touch.
Edmonton Eskimos (11) - TDs, Larry Willis; FGs Ray Macoritti; cons., Macoritti; single, Macoritti.
First Quarter
WPG - FG Kennerd 14 yards
WPG – TD Hull 11 yard pass from Burgess (Kennerd convert)
Second Quarter
EDM – Single Macoritti 56 yard punt
EDM – FG Macoritti 37 yards
Third Quarter
WPG – TD Battle 34 yard interception return
WPG – TD Tuttle 5 yard pass from Burgess (Kennerd convert)
WPG – TD Hudson 18 yard pass from Burgess (Kennerd convert)
WPG – TD Hudson 2 yard run (Kennerd convert)
Fourth Quarter
EDM – TD Willis 20 yard pass from Ham (Macoritti convert)
WPG - Safety West tackle on Ham
WPG - FG Kennerd 14 yards
WPG - TD House 56 yard pass from McManus
Edmonton started using a receiver formation known as the "five-pack" which had been very effective in the Western final. Quarterback Tracy Ham
drove Edmonton from their own 32 yard line to the Winnipeg 16. After a procedure penalty, Ham's pass was intercepted by Greg Battle
at the 1 yard line and returned to the Edmonton 43. Bomber quarterback Tom Burgess
led his team to the Edmonton 14 yard line, but could not score the touchdown, as his pass was nearly intercepted by Brett "The Toaster" Williams
. Trevor Kennard kicked a 14-yard field goal.
Edmonton's Blake Marshall
fumbled on the Eskimo 45. The Bombers scored a TD on this drive, moving to the 11 where Burgess hit Lee Hull on an end-zone pattern.
At the end of the quarter Winnipeg running back Robert Mimbs
fumbled, giving Edmonton possession on their own 43 yard line. They were unable to benefit from this opportunity and scored a 56 yard single on Ray Macoritti's punt. Neither offence was able to mount a sustained drive until the end of the quarter, when Ham got the Eskimos to the Bomber 37 yard line. They had to settle for a Macoritti field goal on the last play of the half, making the halftime score 10-4.
Early in the second half Greg Battle made his second interception and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown. Edmonton's offence could not move the ball and had to punt. Burgess completed a 55 yard pass to Perry Tuttle
who was tackled on the Edmonton 5. Two plays later Tuttle made a fingertip shoestring catch at the goal line for the touchdown. Edmonton's next series came to a halt when Eskimo receiver Craig Ellis
fumbled after a pass reception and Ken Hailey recovered. The Bombers were unable to advance and punted. Edmonton punt returner Henry "The Gizmo" Williams
was stripped of the ball at the Edmonton 18 yard line and Bombers' Tyrone Jones recovered. On the next play Burgess completed a pass to fullback Warren Hudson who dodged several tackles to score.
Winnipeg were close to scoring again when Edmonton was called for pass interference at their four yard line. Warren Hudson ran in the touchdown at the end of the quarter.
Tracy Ham was able to get his team moving to start the fourth quarter, driving to the Winnipeg 20 yard line. His pass into the end zone was tipped by Less Browne
but caught by Larry Willis for the touchdown.
Later Ham was sacked by James "Wild" West
for a safety.
Burgess put together another drive, including a pass to Ken Winey at the Edmonton 6, which resulted in a Trevor Kennerd field goal. On the next sequence Ham completed a 30 yard pass and run to Willis who then fumbled and Winnipeg safety Dave Bovell recovered. Danny McManus
, coming off the bench, hit Rick House
with a 56 yard pass and run for a touchdown.
This was only the third time a team scored 50 or more points in a Grey Cup Game, the others being the 11th Grey Cup
and the 44th Grey Cup
Edmonton coach Joe Faragalli
said, notwithstanding the lopsided score, "Never at one time did we feel that this was the end of the game. We were going to make a comeback."
1990 CFL season
The 1990 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 37th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 33rd Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1990:J...
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 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...
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...
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, BC. The Blue Bombers defeated the Eskimos, 50-11.
Game summary
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (50) - TDs, Warren Hudson (2), Lee Hull, Greg BattleGreg Battle
Greg Battle was an award-winning Canadian Football League linebacker for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 1987 to 1993 and from 1997 to 1998.He graduated from Arizona State University...
, Perry Tuttle
Perry Tuttle
Perry Tuttle is a former Clemson football standout in the early 1980s. His career continued into the National Football League and Canadian Football League...
, Rick House
Rick House
Rick House is a former professional Canadian football player who was a receiver for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League from 1979 to 1984 and 1989 to 1991. He also played for the Edmonton Eskimos. He won two Grey Cups with the Bombers, in 1984 and 1990, in addition to one...
; FGs, Trevor Kennerd
Trevor Kennerd
Trevor Kennerd was a kicker for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League from 1980-1991. He was a three-time CFL All-Star and helped the Blue Bombers to three Grey Cup victories , including kicking the winning field-goal in the 1988 Grey Cup...
(2); cons., Kennerd
Trevor Kennerd
Trevor Kennerd was a kicker for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League from 1980-1991. He was a three-time CFL All-Star and helped the Blue Bombers to three Grey Cup victories , including kicking the winning field-goal in the 1988 Grey Cup...
(6), safety touch.
Edmonton Eskimos (11) - TDs, Larry Willis; FGs Ray Macoritti; cons., Macoritti; single, Macoritti.
First Quarter
WPG - FG Kennerd 14 yards
WPG – TD Hull 11 yard pass from Burgess (Kennerd convert)
Second Quarter
EDM – Single Macoritti 56 yard punt
EDM – FG Macoritti 37 yards
Third Quarter
WPG – TD Battle 34 yard interception return
WPG – TD Tuttle 5 yard pass from Burgess (Kennerd convert)
WPG – TD Hudson 18 yard pass from Burgess (Kennerd convert)
WPG – TD Hudson 2 yard run (Kennerd convert)
Fourth Quarter
EDM – TD Willis 20 yard pass from Ham (Macoritti convert)
WPG - Safety West tackle on Ham
WPG - FG Kennerd 14 yards
WPG - TD House 56 yard pass from McManus
Edmonton started using a receiver formation known as the "five-pack" which had been very effective in the Western final. Quarterback Tracy Ham
Tracy Ham
Tracy Ham is a retired Canadian Football League quarterback for the Edmonton Eskimos, Toronto Argonauts, Baltimore Stallions, and the Montreal Alouettes. He was known for his abilities as a dual threat quarterback...
drove Edmonton from their own 32 yard line to the Winnipeg 16. After a procedure penalty, Ham's pass was intercepted by Greg Battle
Greg Battle
Greg Battle was an award-winning Canadian Football League linebacker for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 1987 to 1993 and from 1997 to 1998.He graduated from Arizona State University...
at the 1 yard line and returned to the Edmonton 43. Bomber quarterback Tom Burgess
Tom Burgess (football player)
Tom Burgess is a former all-star quarterback in the Canadian Football League.Burgess was a graduate of Colgate University, playing from 1982 to 1985, and was inducted into the Colgate University Athletic Hall of Honor in 1986...
led his team to the Edmonton 14 yard line, but could not score the touchdown, as his pass was nearly intercepted by Brett "The Toaster" Williams
Brett Williams (Canadian football)
Brett "the Toaster" Williams is a former Canadian Football League defensive end who played ten seasons for five different teams. He was a CFL All-Star three times. He was nicknamed "the Toaster" because he also played offense in short yardage situations, thus he would "burn you on both sides"...
. Trevor Kennard kicked a 14-yard field goal.
Edmonton's Blake Marshall
Blake Marshall
Blake Marshall was Canadian football player with the Edmonton Eskimos for 8 seasons. He won the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award in 1991 and was a CFL All-Star three years in a row....
fumbled on the Eskimo 45. The Bombers scored a TD on this drive, moving to the 11 where Burgess hit Lee Hull on an end-zone pattern.
At the end of the quarter Winnipeg running back Robert Mimbs
Robert Mimbs
Robert Mimbs was a star Canadian Football League running back who played six seasons for three different teams...
fumbled, giving Edmonton possession on their own 43 yard line. They were unable to benefit from this opportunity and scored a 56 yard single on Ray Macoritti's punt. Neither offence was able to mount a sustained drive until the end of the quarter, when Ham got the Eskimos to the Bomber 37 yard line. They had to settle for a Macoritti field goal on the last play of the half, making the halftime score 10-4.
Early in the second half Greg Battle made his second interception and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown. Edmonton's offence could not move the ball and had to punt. Burgess completed a 55 yard pass to Perry Tuttle
Perry Tuttle
Perry Tuttle is a former Clemson football standout in the early 1980s. His career continued into the National Football League and Canadian Football League...
who was tackled on the Edmonton 5. Two plays later Tuttle made a fingertip shoestring catch at the goal line for the touchdown. Edmonton's next series came to a halt when Eskimo receiver Craig Ellis
Craig Ellis (football player)
Craig Ellis is a former gridiron football running back and slotback who played ten seasons in Canadian Football League for five different teams. He also played two seasons in the National Football League. Ellis played college football at San Diego State University....
fumbled after a pass reception and Ken Hailey recovered. The Bombers were unable to advance and punted. Edmonton punt returner Henry "The Gizmo" Williams
Gizmo Williams
Henry L. "Gizmo" Williams is a retired American and Canadian football kick returner and wide receiver...
was stripped of the ball at the Edmonton 18 yard line and Bombers' Tyrone Jones recovered. On the next play Burgess completed a pass to fullback Warren Hudson who dodged several tackles to score.
Winnipeg were close to scoring again when Edmonton was called for pass interference at their four yard line. Warren Hudson ran in the touchdown at the end of the quarter.
Tracy Ham was able to get his team moving to start the fourth quarter, driving to the Winnipeg 20 yard line. His pass into the end zone was tipped by Less Browne
Less Browne
Less Browne was a United States Football League and Canadian Football League defensive back for the Pittsburgh Maulers , the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Ottawa Rough Riders and the BC Lions.-Professional career:Browne originally signed as a pro with the USFL's the...
but caught by Larry Willis for the touchdown.
Later Ham was sacked by James "Wild" West
James West (football player)
James West was a linebacker who played twelve seasons in the Canadian Football League for three different teams. He won two Grey Cups for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers...
for a safety.
Burgess put together another drive, including a pass to Ken Winey at the Edmonton 6, which resulted in a Trevor Kennerd field goal. On the next sequence Ham completed a 30 yard pass and run to Willis who then fumbled and Winnipeg safety Dave Bovell recovered. Danny McManus
Danny McManus
Danny McManus , is a retired professional American football and Canadian football quarterback who passed for over 50,000 yards in seventeen seasons in the Canadian Football League...
, coming off the bench, hit Rick House
Rick House
Rick House is a former professional Canadian football player who was a receiver for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League from 1979 to 1984 and 1989 to 1991. He also played for the Edmonton Eskimos. He won two Grey Cups with the Bombers, in 1984 and 1990, in addition to one...
with a 56 yard pass and run for a touchdown.
Trivia
Winnipeg's 28 points in the third quarter is a Grey Cup record for points in one quarter.This was only the third time a team scored 50 or more points in a Grey Cup Game, the others being the 11th Grey Cup
11th Grey Cup
The 11th Grey Cup was played on December 1, 1923, before 8,629 fans at Varsity Stadium at Toronto.Queen's University shut out the Regina Rugby Club 54 to 0....
and the 44th Grey Cup
44th Grey Cup
The 44th Grey Cup game was played on November 24, 1956 before 27,425 fans at Varsity Stadium in Toronto.The favoured Edmonton Eskimos won their third straight Grey Cup over the Montreal Alouettes by the score of 50 to 27....
Edmonton coach Joe Faragalli
Joe Faragalli
Joe Faragalli was a football player and coach who had most of his success in the Canadian Football League....
said, notwithstanding the lopsided score, "Never at one time did we feel that this was the end of the game. We were going to make a comeback."
West Division
- Semi-final (November 11 @ 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...
43-27 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...
- Final (November 18 @ Calgary, 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...
43-23 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...
East Division
- Semi-final (November 11 @ 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...
34-25 Ottawa Rough RidersOttawa Rough RidersThe Ottawa Rough Riders were a Canadian Football League team based in Ottawa, Ontario, founded in 1876. One of the oldest and longest lived professional sports teams in North America, the Rough Riders won the Grey Cup championship nine times. Their most dominant era was the 1960s and 1970s, a...
- Final (November 18 @ Winnipeg, Manitoba) 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...
20-17 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...