1954 – Edmonton Eskimos 26, Montreal Alouettes 25
In one of the most controversial finishes in Grey Cup history, the Edmonton Eskimos upset the Montreal Alouettes to send the trophy back west for the first time since 1948.
With the Eskimos trailing 25-14 midway through the fourth quarter, Edmonton rallied for two touchdowns in the final eight minutes to steal the title. Glenn Lippman spearheaded an 85-yard scoring drive, capped off by his 14-yard run to the end zone.
With a five-point lead and time running out on the Eskimos, the Alouettes were on the Edmonton 11 and driving. Montreal's Chuck Hunsinger took the handoff and started moving to his left. Rollin Prather had him pinned for a loss, but before he was tackled Hunsinger let go of the ball. It landed at the feet of Edmonton's Jackie Parker, who picked up the ball and returned it 93 yards for a touchdown.
The Alouettes contended that it was a forward pass. The officials ruled that it was a fumble, and the touchdown counted. Bob Dean's convert won the game for the Eskimos.
Edmonton took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter when Rollie Miles got off a four-yard pass to Earl Lindley in the end zone. Red O'Quinn tied the score before the end of the quarter when he made an overhead, one-handed grab of a short pass, then outran three defenders for a 90-yard touchdown.
Bernie Faloney restored the lead for the Eskimos, scoring on a goal line run to finish an 86-yard scoring drive. Dean's 37-yard field goal put the Eskimos up 14-6 in the second quarter.
Montreal's Sam Etcheverry then went to work, moving the Alouettes 101 yards in 12 plays, hitting O'Quinn for his second touchdown of the game. Chuck Hunsinger put the Alouettes out in front on an eight-yard run.
Montreal's Joey Pal scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter when he hauled in a 13-yard pass.
The Alouettes also scored another major before the Eskimos' amazing rally. Montreal's Bruce Coulter interecepted a pass intended for Prather, and returned it near midfield. The offensive drive was stalled on the Edmonton seven-yard line. A third down pass in the end zone bounced off O'Quinn, ending the Montreal threat. The Eskimos then turned around to score their first of two late touchdowns for the win.
O'Quinn set a Grey Cup record with 316 receiving yards in the contest.
