EDMONTON – When the Edmonton Eskimos and Ottawa Redblacks square off in the Grey Cup this Sunday it’ll mark a continuation of Canada’s most storied sporting traditions.
This year marks the 103rd time two teams will battle for the right to hold the Grey Cup.
Here is a guide to the 103rd Grey Cup:
When and where is Grey Cup 2015?
The Grey Cup start time is 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT Sunday at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg.
What channel is the Grey Cup?
The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Quebec and on ESPN2 in the United States.
Who will perform during the halftime show?
Fall Out Boy will headline the Grey Cup Halftime Show.
Who is playing in the Grey Cup?
The Edmonton Eskimos (14-4) will face the Ottawa Redblacks (12-6). The two teams met twice in the regular season, playing on back-to-back weekends. Edmonton beat Ottawa 46-17 on July 9 in Edmonton. The following week the Eskimos defeated the Redblacks 23-12 in the nation’s capital.
Edmonton will be making its 25th appearance in the Grey Cup and its first since winning it in 2005 after downing the defending champion Calgary Stampeders 45-31 in the West Division final. Ottawa, meanwhile, beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 35-28 in the East final to book its spot in the title game – just one season after their inaugural campaign.
Storylines
Henry Burris vs. the Esks defence – A resurgent Burris, a finalist for the Outstanding Player Award with Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, is a big reason why the Redblacks are in the Grey Cup in just their second season of operation. The 40-year-old quarterback had a CFL-record 481 completions and had a league-best 5,703 yards passing in leading the Redblacks to a 12-6 record after the franchise registered just two victories in their inaugural 2014 campaign.
The Eskimos gave up the second fewest offensive points per game (16.9) in the league, and the fewest first downs per game (16.7), rushing first downs (69) and passing first downs (119).
Mike Reilly vs the Redblacks defence – Ottawa will see Reilly on Sunday for the first time this season. Former Esks backup Matt Nichols got both previous starts versus the Redblacks as Reilly was sidelined with a knee injury suffered in Edmonton’s season-opening loss to Toronto in Fort McMurray, Alta.
Reilly has enjoyed another solid CFL season, completing 214-of-329 passes (65 per cent) for 2,449 yards with 15 TDs and 10 interceptions. Reilly also ran for 324 yards on 66 carries (4.9-yard average) and scored two TDs.
Reilly was impressive Sunday versus the defending-champion Stampeders at Commonwealth Stadium. He completed 31-of-39 passes for 370 yards and three TDs while also running for 30 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries.
Whose streak will end – Both teams come into the Grey Cup with lengthy winning streaks. Edmonton has won nine straight games, while Ottawa has captured five consecutive victories, so one of the win streaks will end. A Grey Cup drought will also end Sunday. It’s been 10 years since the Esks have been CFL champions, while Ottawa hasn’t won the Grey Cup in 39 years.
With files from The Canadian Press
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