VANCOUVER, British Columbia — In a thrilling showdown at B.C. Place, backup quarterback Nick Arbuckle stepped into the spotlight and expertly led the Toronto Argonauts to their remarkable 19th Grey Cup title, firmly extending their record. Arbuckle’s poise and precision were on full display as he threw two crucial second-half touchdown passes, propelling the Argonauts to a decisive 41-24 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during an exhilarating championship matchup on Sunday night.
After starter Chad Kelly suffered a devastating ankle injury during Toronto’s East championship triumph against Montreal, the pressure fell upon Arbuckle’s shoulders. Demonstrating remarkable skill under duress, he completed 26 of 37 passes for an impressive 252 yards, marking Toronto’s second Grey Cup victory against Winnipeg in just three seasons.
“You couldn’t script this,” Arbuckle said, earning the accolade of outstanding player of the game following his spectacular performance. “If everybody was to know everything, all the things we overcame as a family, from my whole life and football career to be here, it’s God’s work.” The resilient quarterback expressed profound gratitude for the unwavering support from his wife and teammates throughout his journey. “I’ve been so fortunate to have the support and belief in me from my wife and everybody to just keep chasing it and persevering. Look at it now.”
Toronto showcased dominance in the Grey Cup, achieving victory in their last eight appearances dating back to 1991. They remain undefeated against Winnipeg in the championship, having previously bested the Blue Bombers in 1937, 1938, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1950, and 2022.
“Nick did that, he won us a dang championship, what else is there to say,” remarked Toronto running back Ka’Deem Carey, who shined with 79 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. “I know everybody in this locker room knew who Nick was and knew what he was going to do.”
On the other side, Winnipeg was seeking redemption as they made their fifth consecutive Grey Cup appearance, having clinched back-to-back championships in 2019 and 2021. The 2020 season, however, saw no games played due to the pandemic, leaving a notable gap in the competition.
“It’s still pretty raw,” said Blue Bombers coach Mike O’Shea, reflecting on the emotional aftermath of the defeat. “Anytime you don’t win your last game, there’s a tendency to view it as failure, and I don’t know about that. It was a hell of a ride this year, quite a different season. We just didn’t play our best football at the end.”
In the pivotal moments of the game, Arbuckle connected with Dejon Brissett for a 17-yard touchdown pass, giving Toronto a 24-16 lead with just 7:31 remaining in the contest. Seizing the momentum, DaShaun Amos intercepted Zach Collaros’ subsequent pass, returning it deep into Winnipeg territory to set up Brian Hajrullahu’s 14-yard field goal with 5:11 left on the clock.
Providing the finishing touches to an already thrilling victory, Robert Priester sealed the win with an electrifying 61-yard interception return for a touchdown, pushing the score to 41-16. Wynton McManis followed suit, returning another interception 58 yards to the 4-yard line, from where Carey scored on the next play, solidifying Toronto’s lead.
Star quarterback Zach Collaros, now a veteran with five consecutive Grey Cup starts, struggled against Toronto’s fierce defense. He finished the night completing 15 of 30 passes for 202 yards, but alarmingly tossed four interceptions. Meanwhile, Brady Oliveira, hailed as the league’s outstanding player and top Canadian of the year, managed to run for 84 yards and a touchdown, capping his effort with a 1-yard touchdown and a successful 2-point conversion in the game’s final minute.
The Argonauts initially took a 17-10 lead with 6:13 left in the third quarter, courtesy of Arbuckle’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Mital, which followed a forced fumble on a punt return. Winnipeg sought to respond, narrowing the score to 17-13 with Sergio Castillo’s 40-yard field goal only two minutes later. However, an electric defensive play occurred when Michael Ayers blocked John Haggerty’s punt, only to see Toronto retain possession due to interference committed by Kyrie Wilson.
In a high-stakes moment, the Blue Bombers regained possession soon after when Willie Jefferson clinched an interception off Arbuckle, returning it to Toronto’s 30-yard line, paving the way for Castillo’s 23-yard field goal.
Adding a royal touch to the festivities, Prince Harry made a surprise pregame appearance. The Duke of Sussex is actively promoting the upcoming Invictus Games, set to take place in the area in February, drawing additional attention to an already momentous occasion in Canadian football.
- What challenges did Nick Arbuckle face during his journey to becoming the starting quarterback for the Argonauts?
**Interview with Nick Arbuckle, Quarterback of the Toronto Argonauts**
**Editor:** Nick, congratulations on securing your first Grey Cup title and leading the Argonauts to their remarkable 19th championship victory! How does it feel to step into the role of starting quarterback, especially after the injury to Chad Kelly?
**Nick Arbuckle:** Thank you! It feels incredible, honestly. You couldn’t script this. The circumstances were tough with Chad’s injury, but I tried to stay focused and prepare as best I could. It’s truly a blessing to lead my team to victory, and I’m just grateful for all the support I’ve received from my teammates and my family throughout this journey.
**Editor:** You threw two crucial second-half touchdown passes that turned the tide for the Argonauts. Can you walk us through those moments and the mindset you had on the field?
**Nick Arbuckle:** Sure! In those moments, I was just trying to channel my preparation and trust the game plan. Connecting with Dejon Brissett for that touchdown was a big emotional lift for the team. The offensive line gave me great protection, and we executed well as a unit. When you have a fantastic crew like the one we have, it makes my job easier.
**Editor:** Winning against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers twice in three seasons is an impressive feat. What do you attribute the Argonauts’ success against them to?
**Nick Arbuckle:** It’s a combination of hard work, preparation, and belief. Our coaching staff does an amazing job of preparing us for every matchup, and the chemistry in the locker room is off the charts. We have a lot of resilience in this team. Even when things don’t go smoothly, we know how to rally together and push through.
**Editor:** You mentioned that the journey has had its ups and downs. Can you elaborate on that? What challenges did you have to overcome?
**Nick Arbuckle:** Absolutely. Every player has their challenges. For me, it was about persevering through setbacks and proving myself—both to myself and others. There was a lot of uncertainty, but I leaned heavily on my wife and my teammates for support. She’s been my rock and has believed in me since day one. Teamwork is what it’s all about.
**Editor:** As the game MVP, you have earned a lot of respect for your performance. What does that recognition mean to you personally and professionally?
**Nick Arbuckle:** Winning MVP is a huge honor, but I always believe it reflects the whole team’s effort. Football is a team sport, and I’m just grateful to have been in a position to shine with the help of my teammates. This is a shared victory, and I’ll cherish this moment forever.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, what are your plans for the future with the Argonauts after such an exhilarating championship win?
**Nick Arbuckle:** My goal is to continue improving, working hard, and contributing to this team’s success. We have a strong roster, and I believe we can achieve great things together. I just want to keep building on this season and see where it takes us!
**Editor:** Thanks for your time, Nick! Once again, congratulations on your remarkable performance and the Grey Cup victory. Enjoy the celebrations!
**Nick Arbuckle:** Thank you! I appreciate it. We’re going to celebrate this win—it’s been a journey worth every moment!
