CBS SportsLine wire reports
Nov. 22, 1998

WINNIPEG, Manitoba -- Mark McLoughlin kept things simple.

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McLoughlin's 35-yard field goal on the final play gave the Calgary Stampeders a 26-24 victory over Hamilton in the 86th Grey Cup on Sunday.

"I really didn't have any thoughts going out," McLoughlin said. "It was just another kick, really. You just have to go out, line up and kick the ball and hope for the best. Everything was in our favor to make the kick."

McLoughlin helped the Stampeders discard the image of a team that couldn't win the big game in the '90s.

"This team has been disappointed too many times," offensive lineman Rocco Romano said. "We've had great teams and everybody stopped believing in us. We fought through it and got the job done."

HAMILTON TOOK A 24-23 LEAD WITH 2:02 left on quarterback Ron Williams' 1-yard run, but the Tiger-Cats failed on a 2-point conversion attempt.

Calgary quarterback Jeff Garcia, selected the game's outstanding player, then marched the Stampeders 52 yards over the final 1:57 to set up McLoughlin's fourth field goal of the game.

"All the pressure was off us, it was on their defense," said Garcia, 22-for-32 for 260 yards. "We picked them apart down the field, made some plays and got the ball to where Mark could drive it through."

Garcia also rushed for 47 yards and had a 1-yard TD run on the final play of the third quarter.

Calgary slotback Vince Danielsen, selected the game's outstanding Canadian, had six receptions for 82 yards.

"WE HAD TO BATTLE THROUGH PEOPLE telling us we'd choke, that all of the statistics were running against as far as being a championship organization," Danielsen said. "Hopefully, this will erase some of that. We've got two Grey Cups in the 1990s and we'd like to get another one."

Hamilton quarterback Danny McManus was 20-for-39 for 288 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

"Congratulations to Calgary,"' McManus said. "It was one of these games that we'll be seeing on replay during Grey Cup week when they show fantastic games."

Calgary won the 1992 title with Doug Flutie at quarterback. The Stampeders lost the 1991 game to Toronto and fell to Baltimore in 1995.