Summary:

• The Toronto Argonauts secured its 19th Grey Cup title on Sunday. 
• Nick Arbuckle stepped in for injured Chad Kelly and guided the Argonauts to the 41-24 win against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. 
• Arbuckle earned MVP honors after his first Grey Cup performance; Winnipeg’s championship drought extended to three years.

Nick Arbuckle had a particularly Grey Cup start on Sunday, seizing the spotlight while guiding the Toronto Argonauts to a 41-24 knockout win against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. 

The spectacular win brought Toronto its 19th Grey Cup title and further solidified its status as the most successful team in CFL history. 

The Argonauts maintained an impressive streak, having won each of their last eight appearances dating back to 1991. 

The victory also helped the Argonauts remain undefeated against Winnipeg in Grey Cup matchups, now holding an 8-0 record.

Winnipeg’s fifth consecutive Grey Cup appearance once again ended in heartbreak, marking their third straight loss in the final. 

The Argonauts’ defense dominated the fourth quarter, intercepting Winnipeg three times and returning those turnovers a record-breaking 164 yards, including one for a touchdown. 

Toronto also matched the Grey Cup record with four total interceptions.

Excellent Night for MVP Arbuckle 

Arbuckle stepped in to replace sidelined Chad Kelly who sustained a leg injury in the East Division final. 

The 31-year-old born in Camarillo, California, threw two touchdown passes and scooped up the Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors at the night’s end.

Nick Arbuckle ended the game with 26 completions on 37 attempts for 252 yards and two touchdowns. 

In contrast, Winnipeg’s Zach Collaros, the only quarterback in CFL history to start five consecutive Grey Cups, struggled, completing just 15 of 30 passes for 202 yards and four interceptions. 

A crucial moment came midway through the fourth when Lirim Hajrullahu’s 14-yard field goal put Toronto up 27-16. 

This followed DaShaun Amos’s 45-yard interception return, setting up the Argos at Winnipeg’s eight-yard line. 

Just minutes earlier, Arbuckle had connected with Dejon Brissett for a 17-yard touchdown, extending Toronto’s lead to 24-16. 

Brissett’s stellar performance earned him recognition as the game’s top Canadian player.

“Nick Arbuckle is a professional football player“, Brissett commented on Arbuckle, also describing him as “locked in” and “very detail-oriented” and comparing him to a “third coach on the field”.

Both players said their individual awards said more about their team’s performance.

Robert Priester sealed the victory with a 61-yard interception return for a touchdown, giving the Argonauts a decisive 34-16 advantage with just over three minutes left. 

A final score by Ka’Deem Carey on a four-yard run capped off a dominant fourth quarter, following a 58-yard interception return by Wynton McManis.

Despite the loss, Brady Oliveira managed 84 rushing yards and a touchdown for the Bombers, adding a two-point conversion in the final moments.

Unexpected Pre-Game Appearance From Prince Harry 

In a surprise pre-game appearance, Prince Harry greeted the crowd of 52,349 at the B.C. Place Stadium and promoted the upcoming Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler. 

The 2014-founded Invictus Games will be held between 8-16 February 2025.

The Duke of Sussex received a nice reception.

The Grey Cup arrived in Vancouver via a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter that descended over Coal Harbour, accompanied by the Canadian Armed Forces. 

The prestigious trophy was carried by a flotilla to the Vancouver Convention Centre.