29 11 14 7 8 29 | 0 14 7 8 9 0 | |
57th Grey Cup, the Canadian Football League's championship game, was played November 30, 1969 and the Ottawa Rough Riders defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders 29 to 11 before 33,172 fans at Montreal's Autostade. It was the first time since 1931, a break of 38 years, that the CFL title match would be played in Montreal.
Contents
The game is the focus of the “Playing a Dangerous Game” episode in TSN's 2012 documentary series Engraved on a Nation celebrating the 100th Grey Cup game. Concerns about ongoing FLQ separatist terrorist bombing activities in Quebec prompted the CFL and Montreal authorities to have police officers in full riot gear securing the stadium and Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.
This was the first Grey Cup game played in its entirety on a Sunday.
Box Score
First Quarter
Saskatchewan – TD – Alan Ford 27 yard pass from Ron Lancaster (Jack Abendschan convert)
Saskatchewan – Safety – Bill Van Burkleo conceded
Second Quarter
Ottawa – TD – Jay Roberts 11 yard pass from Russ Jackson (Don Sutherin convert)
Ottawa – TD – Ron Stewart 80 yard pass from Russ Jackson (Don Sutherin convert)
Third Quarter
Saskatchewan – Single – Alan Ford
Saskatchewan – Single – Jack Abendschan
Ottawa – TD – Jim Mankins 27 yard pass from Russ Jackson (Don Sutherin convert)
Fourth Quarter
Ottawa – Single – Don Sutherin
Ottawa – TD – Ron Stewart 32 yard pass from Russ Jackson (Don Sutherin convert)
Game summary
The game's first score resulted from a fumble by Ottawa’s punter Bill Van Burkleo after he slipped in a muddy area of the field. George Reed recovered on the Ottawa's 31 yard line. Saskatchewan got the touchdown when Ron Lancaster passed to Alan Ford from the 27 yard line. Van Burkleo conceded a safety to add to the Saskatchewan lead.
On Ottawa’s first touchdown drive in the second quarter Jackson ran the ball up the middle for 18 yards. Another short run of his own set up an 11-yard pass to Jay Roberts, who broke through a couple of tacklers for the score.
Saskatchewan was given great field position again on a 78-yard kickoff return by Alan Ford. But Ottawa’s Don Sutherin recovered Reed’s fumble on the Ottawa 30 yard line, ending the threat.
Wayne Shaw managed to tip one Jackson pass to Ron Stewart, but he was able to catch the ball behind a wall of blockers before getting into the open for an 80-yard score.
With Ottawa leading 14-11 in the third quarter, the Green Riders fumbled a kick and Dan Dever recovered the ball for Ottawa on the Saskatchewan 27. Ed McQuarters appeared to have Jackson tackled for a loss, but Jackson dodged the tackle, rolled to his left, and hit Jim Mankins just over the goal line for another touchdown.
Ottawa scored their fourth touchdown in the fourth quarter. Just before Jackson was driven to the ground by Cliff Shaw, he managed to flip the ball to Stewart, who ran 32 yards for his second TD.
Records, Awards, and Landmarks
Ottawa quarterback Russ Jackson set a record for throwing the most passing touchdowns in a Grey Cup game, four. This was Jackson's final regular game. He came out of retirement to play in the July 2, 1970, Ottawa-vs.-CFL All-Stars game. He completed 3 of 8 passes, with his last pass as a professional being intercepted.
This was the only Grey Cup game played at the Autostade.