Some offseason entertainment posted by Tom Elder. The 11-6-1 Argos go into Winnipeg Stadium to play the 12-6 Blue Bombers and shock Winnipeg 19-3 to advance to the Grey Cup. Winnipeg had stars such as Tom Clements, Willard Reaves on offense and defensive stars such as James West and Tyrone Jones. Toronto's offense was less heralded featuring Schenley award winner Gil Fenerty and Darrell Smith (no K yet). On defense Toronto had HOFers Rodney Harding and Willie Pless.
The teams were scoreless after one quarter before Gilbert Renfroe was intercepted by Roy Bennett. The Blue Bombers could not put the ball into the endzone however, and Trevor Kennerd opened the scoring to put Winnipeg up 3-0.
Toronto came right back with a scoring drive of their own. Renfroe hit Darrell Smith deep with a pass that took the ball within the Winnipeg 5 before Renfroe scored the TD on a sneak to put Toronto up 7-3.
The low scoring affair continued through the third quarter, however Toronto was able to control the ball for 11 minutes and this was the quarter where Winnipeg had the wind at their back. The Argos led 12-3 early in the 4th quarter when Winnipeg started to self-destruct.
Winnipeg was driving the ball downfield with a chance to make the score 12-10, but Clements was intercepted by Argos safety Jake Vaughan in the redzone. Vaughan was on the seat of his pants at the time. The Argos didn't score on that drive, but had snuffed out a potential Winnipeg score.
Another fateful play for Winnipeg came late when Darryl Sampson fumbled a Hank Ilesic punt deep within his own territory. Tony Johns scored a TD to put the Argos up 19-3. This was the final score, but not before Tom Clements threw 2 more interceptions.
1987-1991 would see the Argos and Winnipeg meet in the playoffs each year, with Winnipeg winning 3 of those games and Toronto winning 2. Of course, the Argos defeated Winnipeg 24-23 in the 2022 Grey Cup.
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