BC Lions win 99th Grey Cup
Posted Nov 27, 2011 11:10:40 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The BC Lions are the 2011 Grey Cup Champions after defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 34-23.
Lions quarterback Travis Lulay threw second-half touchdown passes to Kierrie Johnson and Arland Bruce.
Winnipeg’s two touchdowns came late in the fourth quarter. First Buck Pierce hit Greg Carr for a 45-yard score and then he found Terrence Edwards in the endzone from 13 yards out.
This is the sixth Grey Cup title for the Lions and first since 2006.
The victory, before an ear-splitting BC Place sellout of 54,313, capped a stunning turnaround for the Lions, who opened the season 0-5.
BC became the first team in CFL history to win the Grey Cup after losing its first five regular-season games. The Lions also became the first squad since ’94 to capture the league title at home.
BC was the last club to accomplish that, joining the ’72 Hamilton Tiger-Cats and ’77 Montreal Alouettes.
Lions tailback Andrew Harris, a Winnipeg native, was named the top Canadian.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who was at the game, has offered his congratulations to the Lions.
“On behalf of Canadians, I would like to congratulate the BC Lions on their excellent season and unwavering drive and determination which culminated in their victory at this year’s Grey Cup in Vancouver,” his statement reads.
“I would also like to congratulate the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on their significant achievement of winning the East Division Final and reaching the championship.”
