Nov 21
Argonauts are 2004 Grey Cup Champions
Photo credit -- Dale McMillanOn a chilly night at Frank Clair Stadium, the Toronto Argonauts won the 92nd Grey Cup Championship, their first since 1997. Led by quarterback Damon Allen, the Argos turned naysayers into believers by racking up 27 points to BC's 19 and taking the Grey Cup game over the season-dominating Lions. In front of a sellout crowd of 51,242 fans, over 8,000 people on CFL.ca watching the game via Live Play-by-Play, and even more tuned in on CBC and RDS, the Argos realized their year-long dream by sipping champagne out of Lord Grey's coveted cup. Post-game, Toronto fans poured into the streets of Ottawa, cheering and chanting for their favourite team. At the post-game press conference, BC Head Coach Wally Buono was questioned about his decision to start veteran Dave Dickenson over the Rogers CFL Outstanding Player of the Year, Casey Printers. Early in the first, it looked like Buono had made the right decision as Dickenson found Jason Clermont in the end zone with an 11-yard pass, putting the first points on the board in BC's favour. At the end of the first quarter, BC had possession of the ball more than 11 minutes versus Toronto's less than four. However, Toronto battled back in the second to take the lead going into the locker room at the half 17-10. Noel Prefontaine booted a 27-yard field goal and Allen followed it up with a one-yard run for a TD then a 23-yard pass to Robert Baker for another score. In the third, Toronto continued to surge ahead and by the fourth, had an 11 point lead on the Lions. But Dickenson kept BC roaring with a seven-yard run for a TD that brought his team within five but a time count violation cost the two point conversion opportunity and kicker Duncan O'Mahony missed the convert attempt by kicking the ball wide right. Prefontaine found the uprights again from 16 yards out at 12:19, extending the Toronto lead to eight points, leaving BC with little opportunity to come back to get the win. Head Coach Mike "Pinball" Clemons noted that each member of the Argos were playing for the guy beside them on the line, putting their own aspirations and goals aside in a show of camaraderie. This is Pinball's first Grey Cup win in a coaching role with the Argos. Jason Clermont from the Lions was named Outstanding Canadian in the game, with four receptions for 71 yards. Allen, named the Grey Cup game's Outstanding Player, was 23-of-34 for 299 yards with one touchdown. Tuesday morning at 11:00 a.m. Toronto will be drenched in Double Blue as friends, family and fans will parade from Union Station to Nathan Phillips Square at City Hall to celebrate the 2004 Grey Cup Champion, Toronto Argonauts. Argonauts 27 vs. Lions 19 SUMMARY First Quarter B.C. -- TD Clermont 12 pass from Dickenson (O'Mahony convert) 4:07 Second Quarter Tor -- FG Prefontaine 27 7:40 Tor -- TD Allen 1 run (Prefontaine convert) 12:22 B.C. -- FG O'Mahony 42 13:13 Tor -- TD Baker 23 pass from Allen (Prefontaine convert) 14:37 Third Quarter Tor -- TD Allen 1 run (Prefontaine convert) 4:45 B.C. -- FG O'Mahony 36 9:16 Fourth Quarter B.C. -- TD Dickenson 7 run (convert failed) 6:06 Tor -- FG Prefontaine 16 12:19
Toronto
0
17
7
3--27
B.C.
7
3
3
6--19Attendance -- 51,242
Tor
B.C.
First downs
24
24
Yards rushing
92
196
Yards passing
337
201
Total offence
429
397
Team losses
13
0
Net offence
416
397
Passes made-tried
26-38
18-27
Return yards
104
166
Intercepts-yards by
0-0
0-0
Fumbles-lost
0-0
3-1
Sacks by
0
1
Punts-average
6-40.0
7-27.9
Penalties-yards
7-40
7-62
Time of possession
29:15
30:45Net offence is yards passing, plus yards rushing, minus team losses such as yards lost on broken plays. Individual Rushing: Tor -- Avery 11-75, Allen 5-10, Bishop 2-7; B.C. -- Warren 18-160, Dickenson 8-36. Receiving: Tor -- Baker 6-101, Bruce III 5-79, Miles 6-75, Soward 3-31, Talbot 2-27, Avery 4-24; B.C. -- Clermont 4-71, Thelwell 3-39, Green 3-35, Simon 3-31, Warren 3-18, Brazzell 2-7. Passing: Tor -- Allen 23-34, 299 yds, 1 TD, 0 ints, Bishop 3-4-38-0-0; B.C. -- Dickenson 18-27-201-1-0.