1985 Lions win second Grey Cup

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1985

While Fernandez shatters club received records again and sophomore receiver Jim Sandusky broke the 1,000 yards mark, defensive tackle Mike Gray was the most visible of several rookies and Clash returned punts for over 1,100 yards, just missing the league record. With depth and few injuries, the final season record of 13-3 was the best in club history, bringing its third consecutive first place finish and Western Final matchup with Winnipeg, who has won both regular season meetings. Fernandez was out for the playoffs with a leg injury, but the Lions rose to the occasion to beat the Bombers. A week later the same line-up played Hamilton at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, and 21 years of waiting ended with a 37-24 Grey Cup championship victory over the Tiger-Cats.
At the Schenley Awards Fernandez became the first Lion to win the Most Outstanding Player Award and Mike Gray wins the Outstanding Rookie award. Dewalt, Parker and Passaglia took the Grey Cup game awards, and the team returned home to a victory celebration that swept across the entire province.

West Division Team GP W L T PF PA Pts
British Columbia Lions 16 13 3 0 481 297 26
Winnipeg Blue Bombers 16 12 4 0 500 259 24
Edmonton Eskimos 16 10 6 0 432 373 20
Saskatchewan Roughriders 16 5 11 0 320 462 10
Calgary Stampeders 16 3 13 0 256 429 6

East Division Team GP W L T PF PA Pts
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 16 8 8 0 377 315 16
Montreal Concordes 16 8 8 0 284 332 16
Ottawa Rough Riders 16 7 9 0 272 402 14
Toronto Argonauts 16 6 10 0 344 397 12

Semi-Finals - Winnipeg 22 - Edmonton 15
Semi-Finals - Montreal 30 - Ottawa 20

Finals - B.C. 42 - Winnipeg 22
Finals - Hamiton 50 - Montreal 26

Grey Cup - B.C. 37 - Hamilton 24

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Jim Sandusky gets mobbed after a TD catch

Photo courtesy of the Province via Hambone. Hambone also supplied me with all the newspaper articles of the day, I am looking for a volunteer to type those articles out so they can be placed on the site, if you can help please PM me

[Robbie]

Courtesy of:
http://bcfootballhalloffame.com/Bob_Ackles.html

[Robbie]

Dave Randorf sharing his favourite Grey Cup memory.

[Robbie]

After two regular season losses to the Blue Bombers and the 1984 WDF, it was great to see the Lions finally get their act together.

[Robbie]

Several good articles on the 1985 GC win.

[Robbie]

We now know that there was no Lions dynasty in the making. And only 6000 showed up in the celebration gathering.

[Robbie]

These articles mention how Keyvan Jenkins and Mervyn Fernandez were both injured just before the playoffs. Jenkins had a torn ligament in his left knee and required surgery and was out for the rest of the season. Fortunately Freddie Sims was able to take over his place.

And the way Fernandez was first injured was very ridiculous. According to the article:

Fernandez was injured in Oct. 27 in Edmonton while standing on the sidelines. He was struck by the foot of teammate Nelson Martin when Martin went over a pile of players.

Fernandez still managed to play in the season finale to clinch first place and of course, congrats to him for capturing the Schenley MOP.

[Robbie]

The Lions 1985 season was certainly the year of destiny and I really enjoyed watching the Lions dominate their opponents and go all the way. Aside from an upset home loss to Calgary, it appeared to be cruise control. But a big scare and fear came to the Lions' fans when Winnipeg took two regular season games late in the season, along with the injury losses to Keyvan Jenkins and Mervyn Fernandez. It looked like a repeat of the 1984 WDF would occur.

BC 42 at Hamilton 8

Regular season opener, and a foreshadowing of the final game of the season.

BC 39 at Calgary 14


BC 43 at Toronto 18


BC 18 at Ottawa 13


BC 31 at Montreal 20


BC 42 at Edmonton 29


WDF - Winnipeg 22 at BC 42

It looks like when it comes to most memorable Lions WDF wins, this game falls in one of the more forgotten ones even though the Lions rose to the occasion and avenge the Blue Bombers from a year ago and the two regular season losses. Freddie Sims effectively replaced Keyvan Jenkins and Ned Armour. The clip shows early on the 3rd quarter with the Lions clinging on to a 17-16 lead at halftime.

[Robbie]

Grey Cup Team Poster

Why couldn't Keyvan Jenkins make it to team picture? I guess since he was out with an injury, he decided to go home early.

Grey Cup Plate


Ticket
http://cfl.uploads.mrx.ca/league/images ... 633610.jpg

Magazine Cover

[Robbie]

First quarter highlights of the 1985 Grey Cup.

When it comes to underrated, forgotten good plays in Lions history, I'd say that the 84-yard TD pass from Roy Dewalt to Ned Armour certain qualifies as one. It's amazing how Ned Armour was able to wrestle the ball away from Less Browne and score the first TD of the game. Despite that, Ned Armour is hardly remembered as one of the best Lions receivers.

[Robbie]

BC Sports Hall of Fame induction page:
http://bcsportshalloffame.com/inductees ... &type=team

1985 was an exceptional year for the BC Lions as the team dominated the Canadian Football League. The Lions capped their year with a host of awards, including nine players voted to the Western All-Star Team and six players to the All-Canadian Team.

The season culminated with the BC Lions’ exciting Grey Cup victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a riveting finale in Montreal. The final score at Olympic Stadium on Sunday, November 24th was 37-24 and the Lions’ roar led the team to its first league championship in 21 years, and the second coveted Grey Cup win in the club’s history.

In the final game BC held an edge over Hamilton in both offense and defense. They also had the advantage of quarterback Roy Dewalt’s surgical skill, the dashing feet of receivers Ned Armour and Jim Sandusky and the survivalist savvy of kicker Lui Passaglia.

For the team, 1985 was a record-breaking year: 13 wins (and three losses), 481 points scored, 49 converts and 25 singles. Darnell Clash, Roy Dewalt, Mervyn Fernandez, Keyvan Jenkins and Lui Passaglia smashed twelve individual player records.

The Lions also swept the CFL Awards with Don Mathews recognized with the prestigious CFL Coach of the Year, Mervyn Fernandez honoured with the MVP Award and Mike Gray as the Rookie of the Year.

Team Members:
Bob Ackles (general manager), Ned Armour, Bruce Barnett, John Blain, Jamie Buis, Melvin Byrd, Darnell Clash, Tim Cowan, Larry Crawford, Tyrone Crews, Mark deBrueys, Roy Dewalt, Richard Ellerson (assistant coach), Eric Emery, Mervyn Fernandez, Bernie Glier, Keith Gooch, Michael Gray, Dennis Guevin, Nick Hebeler, Bryan Illerbrun, Glen Jackson, Keyvan Jenkins, Andre Jones, Bennie Jones, Rick Klassen, Kevin Konar, Glen Leonhard, Nelson Martin, Don Matthews (head coach), Mark Napiorkowski, Greg Newhouse (assistant coach), John Pankratz, James Parker, Kerry Parker, Lui Passaglia, Ryan Potter, Bill Reichelt (trainer), Adam Rita (assistant coach), Ron Robinson, Gerald Roper, Jim Sandusky, Roy Shivers (assistant coach), Freddie Sims, Ian Sinclair, Ron Smeltzer (assistant coach), John Ulmer, John Henry White, Al Wilson.

[Robbie]

A rare picture of the post-game 1985 GC locker room celebration.



Fernandez didn't even play in the game so why is he shirtless as if though he just came out from the shower. Or maybe he was ready for a champagne shower and didn't want to stain his street clothes.

[Robbie]

Saving the best for last, excellent highlights of the 1985 Grey Cup:
http://video.tsn.ca/?dl=cfl-greycup100/ ... 5/clip/621

1985 Grey Cup fan reaction. I guess how this is how Vancouver football fans celebrated back in 1985.
http://video.tsn.ca/?dl=cfl-greycup100/ ... 7/clip/135

[Robbie]

The 1985 WDF in its entirety - Winnipeg 22 at BC 42

1. Darnell Clash was relatively young at 23 and made two crucial interceptions and was a great kick returner. Bad mistake to ship him off to Toronto at the start of the 1987 season.

2. A very close game at halftime with the Lions leading just 17-16 and Lui Passaglia made a crucial tackle to prevent Winnipeg from getting a TD in the last play of the first half. Certainly not a blowout at halftime.

3. There was no on-field trophy presentation.