TORONTO -- James Johnson set a Grey Cup record with three interceptions to help the Saskatchewan Roughriders beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23-19 on Sunday night for their first Canadian Football League title in 18 years.
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Roughriders offensive linemen Jeremy O'Day (54) and Gene Makowsky hoist the Grey Cup. (AP) |
The former Arkansas State player, selected the MVP of the game, returned his first interception 30 yards for a second-quarter touchdown, and sealed the game with about a minute left with his third.
"I'm trying not to cry. I'm trying to hold back," Johnson said. "It's a great feeling. I can't believe it."
Kerry Joseph threw a 29-yard TD pass to Andy Fantuz in the fourth quarter, and Luca Congi added three field goals for the Roughriders, also CFL champions in 1966 and 1989.
"We fought so hard. It was a tough game," Joseph said. "It wasn't my best game, but I kept fighting and we kept fighting as a team."
The Blue Bombers, playing without star quarterback Kevin Glenn, failed in a bid to win their first title since 1990.
Ryan Dinwiddie, making his first CFL start after Glenn broke his arm last week, threw a 50-yard scoring pass to Derick Armstrong. Troy Westwood made two field goals, and Winnipeg scored six points on three conceded safeties.
