Baltimore Stallions Win First Grey Cup in the US

In a thrilling match, the Baltimore Stallions took home their first Grey Cup win in the United States, defeating the Calgary Stampeders 37-20. Led by quarterback Tracy Ham, the Stallions demonstrated exceptional team effort, effectively using their special teams and refined game plan to outmaneuver the Stampeders. The game was marked by standout performances from Ham, Alvin Watson, and Chris Wright, with Carlos Huerta kicking a Grey Cup record of 53-yard field goal with the wind behind it.

Key Takeaways:

• The Stallions' special teams were instrumental in their victory, with Chris Wright returning four punts for 93 yards and Alvin Watson blocking a punt that led to a touchdown.
• The game marked a turning point for the Stallions' quarterback Tracy Ham, who was magnificent in the second half and was ultimately selected as the game's MVP.
• Despite Mike Pringle's impressive 137 yards, he was not the main character in Baltimore's win, as he was used primarily to control the ball and run down the clock.
• Calgary's Doug Flutie engineered a superb drive in the third quarter but was ultimately unable to overcome the Stallions' dominance.
• The comeback effort from the Stampeders was foiled by the Stallions' tight defense, which prevented the Stampeders from scoring in the final quarter.
• Baltimore's offense was marked by its execution, particularly Ham's 211 yards, and the team's overall performance earned them the title of the first U.S. team to win a Grey Cup and the first CFL team to win 18 games in a year.
• The Stallions' impressive 13-game winning streak came to an end, but their victory marked a significant milestone in the team's history.

Statistics:

• Tracy Ham was 17-for-30 for 211 yards and was ultimatley selected as the game's MVP.
• Calgary's Doug Flutie was 23-for-49 with 287 yards but made several poor decisions and threw a scattering of bad passes.
• Mike Pringle gained 137 yards but was used mostly to control the ball and run down the clock.
• Chris Armstrong, Baltimore's best receiver, was quiet with three catches for 27 yards.
• Will Johnson, Alondra Johnson, and Stu Laird did a decent job of containing Pringle, but the Stamps were not at their best defensively.
• The Stallions had six punts for an average of 49.5 yards, while Calgary's Tony Martino averaged 33.7 yards on his seven punts.
• Carlos Huerta kicked five field goals, including one for a Grey Cup record of 53 yards with the wind behind it.
• The attendance at Taylor Field was 52,564, just shy of a sellout crowd.

Sources:

• The Globe and Mail
• The Baltimore Stallions
• The Calgary Stampeders
• The Grey Cup Championship Game