109th Grey Cup

File:Mosaic Stadium Exterior.jpg, the host stadium of the game.]]

As of August 2018, three teams were interested in submitting bids to host the 2021 Grey Cup, as the league met with representatives of those unidentified clubs in Hamilton.{{Cite web |title=CFL taking collaborative approach to Grey Cup planning |url=https://www.standard-freeholder.com/sports/football/cfl/edmonton-eskimos/cfl-taking-collaborative-approach-to-grey-cup-planning |date=August 31, 2018 |publisher=Standard-Freeholder |access-date=October 2, 2018}} Based on the location of the meeting and their previously stated desire to host, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats were speculated to be one of the teams. The previous obstacle—a lawsuit over the construction of Tim Hortons Field—which had prevented the Tiger-Cats from bidding on a Grey Cup game, was settled on May 31, 2018.{{Cite web |title=Tim Hortons Field stadium lawsuit officially settled, says Hamilton mayor |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4245953/tim-hortons-field-stadium-lawsuit-officially-settled-says-hamilton-mayor/ |date=May 31, 2018 |publisher=Global News |access-date=October 2, 2018}} The Tiger-Cats had previously expressed interest in submitting a bid for the 107th Grey Cup and with litigation cleared, they could move forward with bidding to host their first championship game since the 84th Grey Cup in 1996.{{Cite news |title=No Grey Cup bid until stadium legal issues solved |url=http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/7208036-no-grey-cup-bid-until-stadium-legal-issues-solved/ |date=March 24, 2017 |newspaper=Hamilton Spectator |access-date=October 2, 2018}}

The first club to openly confirm their plans to bid were the Saskatchewan Roughriders, as stated by the club's president and CEO, Craig Reynolds, on October 1, 2018.{{Cite web |title=Rob Vanstone: Saskatchewan Roughriders' 2020 Grey Cup bid should be a lock ... but then what? |url=https://leaderpost.com/sports/football/cfl/saskatchewan-roughriders/rob-vanstone-saskatchewan-roughriders-2020-grey-cup-bid-should-be-a-lock-but-then-what |date=October 1, 2018 |publisher=Leader Post |access-date=October 2, 2018}}{{Cite web |title=Riders confirm plan to bid on 2020 Grey Cup |url=https://www.cjme.com/2018/10/01/riders-confirm-plan-to-bid-on-2020-grey-cup |date=October 1, 2018 |publisher=CJME |access-date=October 2, 2018}} The game would coincide with the 110th anniversary of the club and would be the fourth time the game would be hosted in Saskatchewan, if successful.{{Cite web |title=The Roughriders want to stage another Grey Cup |url=https://www.riderville.com/2018/10/02/roughriders-want-stage-another-grey-cup/ |date=October 2, 2018 |publisher=Riderville |access-date=October 2, 2018}} The Roughriders' new facility, Mosaic Stadium, opened in 2017 and the Roughriders last hosted the Grey Cup in 2013.

On November 4, 2018, it was reported that the Montreal Alouettes were preparing a bid to see Olympic Stadium host the 2020 championship game.{{cite web |title=Alouettes to make bid for 2020 Grey Cup: report |url=http://3downnation.com/2018/11/04/alouettes-to-make-bid-for-2020-grey-cup/ |date=November 4, 2018 |publisher=3DownNation}} The Alouettes confirmed that they had representatives in Toronto on November 6, 2018, to make their presentation at the league head office to host the game.{{cite web |title=We're in Toronto today to bring the Grey Cup final back to the Olympic Stadium in 2020! |url=https://twitter.com/MTLAlouettes/status/1059928412268056576 |date=November 6, 2018 |publisher=Montreal Alouettes}}

It was confirmed on November 13, 2018, that the Tiger-Cats were indeed making a bid for the game as team representatives made their presentation to the league head office in Toronto the week prior.{{cite news |author=Steven Milton |date=November 13, 2018 |title=Ticats one of three in running to host 2020 Grey Cup Game |publisher=Hamilton Spectator |url=https://www.thespec.com/sports-story/9029887-ticats-one-of-three-in-running-to-host-2020-grey-cup-game/}} Their Grey Cup festival concept included a downtown-centred event at venues like the Hamilton Convention Centre and Art Gallery of Hamilton. The Tiger-Cats' president of business operations, Matt Afinec, confirmed that the club had support from Hamilton's mayor, Fred Eisenberger, and that three bids for the Grey Cup game had been made.

On February 21, 2019, the 2020 and 2021 Grey Cup games were awarded to Regina and Hamilton respectively.{{Cite web |title='Holy cow, we did it': The 2021 Grey Cup is coming to Hamilton |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/holy-cow-we-did-it-the-2021-grey-cup-is-coming-to-hamilton-1.5028581 |last=Taekema |first=Dan |date=February 21, 2019 |website=CBC News |language=en |access-date=February 22, 2019}} The 2020 CFL season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic; on May 20, 2020, the CFL announced that the Grey Cup in Regina had been cancelled, and that the game would be played at the home field of the team with the better regular season record, if played at all. Regina was therefore awarded the Grey Cup game played in 2022.{{Cite web |date=2020-05-20 |title=Grey Cup week in Regina cancelled, CFL says |url=https://regina.ctvnews.ca/grey-cup-week-in-regina-cancelled-cfl-says-1.4946928 |access-date=2020-05-20 |website=CTV News Regina |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020-05-20 |title=CFL eyes September return, changes Grey Cup format |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/cfl-eyes-september-return-1.5577178 |access-date=2020-05-20 |website=CBC News}} The 2020 season was cancelled in full in August 2020.{{cite web |date=August 17, 2020 |title=CFL cancels season after request for financial help turned down |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/cfl-cancel-season-pandemic-1.5689252 |access-date=December 13, 2020 |website=CBC Sports}}

The Grey Cup Festival was held at REAL District during the week preceding the game.{{Cite web |date=November 19, 2022 |title=Here's what's happening at Grey Cup Festival today |url=https://regina.ctvnews.ca/here-s-what-s-happening-at-grey-cup-festival-today-1.6159620 |access-date=November 21, 2022 |website=Regina |language=en |author=Postey, Drew}} Teagan Littlechief of the White Bear First Nations performed "O Canada", with lyrics sung in English, French, and Cree languages, marking the first time that the anthem was sung in three languages and sung in an Indigenous language.{{Cite web |last=Clausing |first=Shane |title=Littlechief ready to take stage at Grey Cup |url=https://www.cjme.com/2022/11/17/littlechief-ready-to-take-stage-at-grey-cup/ |access-date=November 21, 2022 |website=980 CJME |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=White Bear First Nations woman to sing national anthem at Grey Cup {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9265094/white-bear-first-nations-woman-national-anthem-grey-cup/ |access-date=November 21, 2022 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Sask. Indigenous artist performing Grey Cup national anthem in 3 languages |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-indigenous-artist-performing-grey-cup-national-anthem-in-three-languages-1.6652308 |access-date=November 20, 2022 |website=CBC News |date=November 17, 2022}} Valley performed the SiriusXM Grey Cup Kickoff Show,{{Cite web |date=November 3, 2022 |title=CFL, SiriusXM kickoff 109th Grey Cup with Valley |url=https://www.cfl.ca/2022/11/03/cfl-siriusxm-kickoff-109th-grey-cup-with-valley/ |access-date=November 5, 2022 |website=CFL.ca |language=en}} while country musicians Jordan Davis, Tyler Hubbard, and Josh Ross performed the Twisted Tea Grey Cup Halftime Show.{{Cite web |date=November 4, 2022 |title=Country all-stars unite for Twisted Tea Grey Cup Halftime Show |url=https://www.cfl.ca/2022/11/04/country-all-stars-unite-for-twisted-tea-grey-cup-halftime-show/ |access-date=November 5, 2022 |website=CFL.ca |language=en}}

The game featured the two teams with the most Grey Cup championship appearances, with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers playing in their 27th game and the Toronto Argonauts playing in their 24th game.{{cite web |url=https://d3ham790trbkqy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2022_CFL_Gm_Notes_GC109_Wpg_vs_Tor.pdf |title=2022 CFL Game Notes • Grey Cup #109 • Winnipeg vs Toronto |publisher=Canadian Football League |access-date=November 19, 2022}} The Argonauts were attempting to win their league-leading 18th championship while the Blue Bombers were vying for their 13th championship, which would become the third-most in Grey Cup history. The Blue Bombers were also attempting to win their third consecutive Grey Cup, which has not been accomplished since the Edmonton Eskimos won five in a row from 1978 to 1982.

{{main|2022 Winnipeg Blue Bombers season}}

The Blue Bombers once again finished a dominant season with a franchise best {{win-loss record|w=15|l=3}} record and a second consecutive first-place finish in the West Division. The team opened the season with nine straight victories, which was second in franchise history to the 1960 team that won ten in a row to open the season.{{cite web |url=https://www.bluebombers.com/2022/08/18/10-after-10/ |title=10 after 10 |publisher=Winnipeg Blue Bombers |date=August 18, 2022}} The Blue Bombers secured a playoff spot with eight weeks left in the regular season with a victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Labour Day Classic on September 4.{{cite web |url=https://www.cfl.ca/games/6259/winnipeg-blue-bombers-vs-saskatchewan-roughriders/ |title=Bombers clinch playoffs with win over Riders in LD Classic |publisher=Canadian Football League |date=September 4, 2022}} The team then clinched first place in the West in week 18 on October 8 with two games left on the schedule and 36 days in between meaningful games.{{cite web |url=https://www.cfl.ca/games/6278/edmonton-elks-vs-winnipeg-blue-bombers/ |title=Edmonton Elks vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers |publisher=Canadian Football League |date=October 8, 2022}} The team finished with a 10–1 division record with the lone loss coming from the BC Lions after the Blue Bombers had already clinched first place and were resting starting players. The Blue Bombers defeated the Lions in the West Final by a score of 28–20 behind a strong rushing performance by Brady Oliveira and a punt return touchdown by Janarion Grant.{{cite web |url=https://www.cfl.ca/games/6295/bc-lions-vs-winnipeg-blue-bombers/ |title=BC Lions vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers |publisher=Canadian Football League |date=November 13, 2022}}

The Blue Bombers' quarterback, Zach Collaros, won his second consecutive Most Outstanding Player Award and All-Star nomination and finished second in franchise history with 37 touchdown passes in the season.{{cite web |title=Back to back: Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros wins most outstanding player |url=https://press.cfl.ca/back-to-back-blue-bombers-quarterback-zach-collaros-wins-most-outstanding-player |publisher=Canadian Football League |date=November 17, 2022}}{{cite web |title=Stars Aligned: 2022 CFL All-Stars announced |url=https://www.cfl.ca/2022/11/15/stars-aligned-2022-cfl-all-stars-announced/ |publisher=Canadian Football League |date=November 15, 2022}} The team's head coach, Mike O'Shea won the CFL Coach of the Year Award for the second year in a row and the team's left tackle, Stanley Bryant, won the CFL's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award for the fourth time in five seasons — no other player has won more than twice. At receiver, the team was led by rookie standout Dalton Schoen who led the league in receiving yards and touchdowns and was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie. The team featured six league All-Stars, but just one on defence despite leading the league in points allowed, offensive touchdowns allowed, and net offensive yards allowed.

{{main|2022 Toronto Argonauts season}}

The Argonauts finished in first place in the East Division for the second consecutive year with a regular season record of {{win-loss record|w=11|l=7}}. The team began the year with just four wins in nine games, but finished the year with a {{win-loss record|w=7|l=2}} record, five of which were on the road, and won seven total games away from their home stadium, BMO Field.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cfl.ca/schedule/2022/ |title=2022 schedule |publisher=Canadian Football League |access-date=November 19, 2022}} The team qualified for the playoffs in week 13 and clinched a first-place finish in the penultimate regular season game against the Montreal Alouettes, who were also contesting first place in the East.{{cite news |url=https://www.cfl.ca/games/6270/toronto-argonauts-vs-ottawa-redblacks/ |title=Toronto Argonauts vs Ottawa Redblacks |publisher=Canadian Football League |date=September 24, 2022}}{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/cfl-toronto-argonauts-montreal-alouettes-recap-oct-22-1.6626371 |title=Argonauts clinch 1st place in East Division with wild victory over Alouettes |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=October 22, 2022}} The Argonauts last finished with consecutive first place division finishes in 1996 and 1997 when the team also won back-to-back Grey Cups. In the East Final, the Argonauts jumped out to a 21–3 lead over the Alouettes and held on to a 34–27 victory after quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson passed for 299 yards with a 70.4% completion rate and the game-clinching third quarter touchdown pass to Kurleigh Gittens Jr.{{cite web |url=https://www.cfl.ca/games/6294/montreal-alouettes-vs-toronto-argonauts/ |title=Montreal Alouettes vs Toronto Argonauts |publisher=Canadian Football League |date=November 13, 2022}}

Despite being with the team since 2017, quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson entered the season as the undisputed starter for the first time in his career and was named an East Division All-Star after leading the league in passing yards.{{cite web |title=Updated List of 2022 CFL Division All-Stars |url=https://www.cfl.ca/2022/11/02/updated-list-of-2022-cfl-division-all-stars/ |publisher=Canadian Football League |date=November 2, 2022}} He was scheduled to play in his first Grey Cup game as a starter. The team had no major award winners, but head coach Ryan Dinwiddie was named the East Division coach of the year after leading the team to another first-place finish in just his second year with the Argonauts. The team featured three CFL All-Stars with Kurleigh Gittens Jr. leading all national receivers with a team-leading 1,101 receiving yards and was the East Division Most Outstanding Canadian. Defensive end Ja'Gared Davis would play in his sixth consecutive Grey Cup game, but sought just his second championship after winning with the 2018 Calgary Stampeders. Five-time All-Star running back Andrew Harris would face his former team after winning back-to-back Grey Cups with the Blue Bombers and winning the Grey Cup Most Valuable Player award in 2019.

File:Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Toronto Argonauts (05).jpg

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Toronto Argonauts met just once during the regular season, in Toronto, at the end of week 4.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cfl.ca/games/6226/winnipeg-blue-bombers-vs-toronto-argonauts/ |title=Bombers outlast Argos in Monday night thriller |publisher=Canadian Football League |date=July 4, 2022}} Winnipeg scored two first quarter touchdowns, including an interception returned for a touchdown by Winston Rose, and held a 17–3 lead at halftime. Despite the deficit, the Argonauts committed to the run game in the second half and Andrew Harris finished with 22 carries for 111 yards in the first meeting against his former team. Trailing by seven points with 30 seconds left in the game, McLeod Bethel-Thompson threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Markeith Ambles, but placekicker Boris Bede missed the potential game-tying convert and the Blue Bombers held on to win 23–22.

This championship was the seventh meeting between the two teams in the championship game, with all 7 having been won by Toronto, the most recent being one of the most famous: the 1950 Mud Bowl. The 72-year gap between meetings is the longest-ever continuous gap between meetings of two traditional East and West opponents. The Argonauts won the first meeting in 1937 and repeated as champions in 1938. Toronto then won three consecutive championships over the Blue Bombers in 1945, 1946, and 1947. All six of these championship games were played at Varsity Stadium, in Toronto.

As the West Division representative in a Grey Cup held in a West Division city, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were the designated home team for the game and used the home locker room.{{cite web |url=https://press.cfl.ca/blue-bombers-and-argonauts-arrive-for-109th-grey-cup |title=Blue Bombers and Argonauts set for arrival to 109th Grey Cup |publisher=Canadian Football League |date=November 14, 2022}} However, the Blue Bombers wore their road white jerseys with gold pants which were the same uniforms worn in the previous two Grey Cup games by the team. The Argonauts wore their home blue jerseys and blue pants and used the visitors' locker room.

File:2022, 10, Hénoc Muamba.jpg was the game's MVP and MVC.]]

The game began fairly defensively, with neither team making a first down on their first possessions, and the only points in the first quarter being a field goal by Toronto's Boris Bede. The second quarter opened with another such attempt, but it sailed wide for the single point. Winnipeg immediately answered with a nearly 40-yard throw to Rookie of the Year Dalton Schoen, beginning a drive that ended in a short touchdown rush by Dakota Prukop. The two teams traded field goals before the first half ended with Winnipeg leading 10–7.{{cite web |title=TITLE WAVE: ARGOS WASH AWAY BOMBERS' DYNASTY HOPES |url=https://www.cfl.ca/games/6296/toronto-argonauts-vs-winnipeg-blue-bombers/#preview |website=CFL.ca |publisher=Canadian Football League |access-date=November 21, 2022 |date=November 20, 2022}}

The second half opened with a poor punt by Marc Liegghio giving Toronto prime field position, allowing them to strike quickly with an A. J. Ouellette touchdown. Winnipeg then spent seven minutes driving down the field in a penalty-aided drive that ended in another Prukop major score. The teams traded a few punts before the third quarter ended with Winnipeg leading 17–14.

For the first play of the fourth quarter, John Haggerty punted the ball down to the Winnipeg eight-yard line, only for it to be returned for a Grey Cup record 102-yard touchdown by Janarion Grant, but Liegghio's kick for the convert went wide. Toronto was only able to muster a field goal in response to make the score 23–17, and were unable to capitalize on an interception soon after, with Chad Kelly replacing an injured McLeod Bethel-Thompson at QB. Liegghio then produced another poor punt, the return by Javon Leake taking the ball past the line of scrimmage, putting Toronto in prime position once again. After a failed challenge for pass interference, and Brandon Banks taking a penalty for being rude to the referee, Kelly pulled off a big 20-yard run to keep the drive going. Ouellette scored another rushing touchdown, with the successful convert giving Toronto the lead, 24–23.

On Winnipeg's first play after the kickoff, Zach Collaros was picked off by Hénoc Muamba with just over three minutes to go, giving Toronto the ball again at the edge of field goal range. Failing to gain any ground, they made the kick attempt, but it was blocked by Nick Hallett, giving the Bombers one last chance. On 3rd-and-13, Toronto managed to sack Collaros, on the second consecutive play, to potentially end the game, but Robbie Smith picked up a face-masking penalty to extend Winnipeg's hopes. The drive continued up to the 40-yard line with under a minute to go, so facing third down again, Winnipeg chose to attempt to kick a field goal that would give them the lead. The try was blocked by Smith, returning possession to Toronto, winning the Argonauts the game 24–23.

Muamba was named the game's Most Valuable Player and also received the Dick Suderman Trophy as the game's Most Valuable Canadian.{{cite web |first=Donna |last=Spencer |title=Argonauts linebacker Henoc Muamba named Grey Cup MVP, outstanding Canadian |date=November 21, 2022 |website=CBC.ca |agency=The Canadian Press |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/henoc-muamba-grey-cup-mvp-outstanding-canadian-cfl-1.6658725 |access-date=November 22, 2022}}

First quarter{{Cite news |url=https://www.cfl.ca/games/6296/toronto-argonauts-vs-winnipeg-blue-bombers/#playbyplay |title=Play-by-Play, 109th Grey Cup |date=November 20, 2022 |publisher=Canadian Football League}}

:TOR – FG Bede 46 yards (10:34) 3–0 TOR

Second quarter

:TOR – Single Bede 49 yards (Missed 36-yard field goal attempt, wide right) (12:45) 4–0 TOR

:WPG – TD Prukop 1-yard run (Liegghio convert) (7:52) 7–4 WPG

:TOR – FG Bede 36 yards (3:47) 7–7

:WPG – FG Liegghio 45 yards (0:45) 10–7 WPG

Third quarter

:TOR – TD Ouellette 4-yard run (Bede convert) (11:51) 14–10 TOR

:WPG – TD Prukop 1-yard run (Liegghio convert) (4:05) 17–14 WPG

Fourth quarter

:WPG – TD Grant 102-yard punt return (Liegghio convert failed) (15:00) 23–14 WPG

:TOR – FG Bede 36 yards (12:40) 23–17 WPG

:TOR – TD Ouellette 5-yard run (Bede convert) (3:55) 24–23 TOR

Sources: [https://www.cfl.ca/games/6296/toronto-argonauts-vs-winnipeg-blue-bombers/#boxscore CFL 109th Grey Cup Boxscore]

{{Clear}}

The following diagrams illustrate the teams' depth charts that were released one day prior to game day. Starters are listed in boxes in their respective positions with backups listed directly above or below. As per CFL rules, 45 of the 46 players for each team would dress in the game. Winnipeg's Keion Adams was listed as a game-time decision and was ultimately replaced by Ricky Walker.{{cite web |url=https://cfl-api.s3.amazonaws.com/2022/CFL+2022+Gm+95+Toronto+vs+Winnipeg+Final+Stats.pdf |title=CFL Game Details |publisher=Canadian Football League |date=November 20, 2022}}

The highest rated officials during the 2022 CFL season from their respective positions were selected for the game and announced on November 17, 2022. The numbers below indicate their uniform numbers.

• Referee: No. 30 Dave Foxcroft
• Umpire: No. 24 Troy Semenchuk
• Down Judge: No. 25 Ron Barss
• Line Judge: No. 81 Walt Hawrysh
• Side Judge: No. 75 Dave Gatza
• Back Judge: No. 59 Larry Butler
• Field Judge: No. 73 Brian Chrupalo
• Backup Referee: No. 74 Tim Kroeker
• Backup Official: No. 36 Tom Cesari
• Backup Official: No. 22 Murray Clarke
• Backup Official: No. 37 Jason Maggio

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{{Grey Cup}}

{{109th Grey Cup}}

{{Toronto Argonauts}}

{{Winnipeg Blue Bombers}}

{{2022 CFL season by team}}

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