Matt Smith/CFL.ca
TORONTO — From Cassius Vaughn’s game-changing pick-six in the Grey Cup to Duron Carter’s incredible one-handed catch, the CFL’s 2017 season had plenty of defining moments.
Now that the year is finished and the Grey Cup has been awarded, CFL.ca looks back on the 12 best moments of 2017:
12. DARIAN DURANT’S FIRST MEETING VS. SASKATCHEWAN
Darian Durant didn’t hold back his feeling towards his former team his first meeting against the Roughriders as an Alouette in Week 1. The Alouettes defeated the Riders on a last-play missed field goal and Durant made sure to rub it in his former club’s face as he walked by the bench.
11. JAMES WILDER MOVES THE STICKS
It was third and five on the last drive of the Eastern Final, with a trip to the 105th Grey Cup on the line, and Ricky Ray tossed to his running back James Wilder, who moved the sticks. That conversion on third down helped to set up the dramatic finish at BMO Field.
10. FIRST GAME AT THE NEW MOSAIC STADIUM
The opening of the new Mosaic Stadium began a new era of football in Regina to start the 2017 season. The energy was palpable even for those who weren’t in attendance for the first game at the new stadium.
9. NIK LEWIS’ RECORD-SETTING CATCH
Nik Lewis recorded his 1,030th catch during Week 10 against the Bombers and in turn took over the all-time lead in receptions.
8. ED GAINEY’S FIFTH TAKEAWAY
Ed Gainey had himself a game in Week 8, collecting five takeaways against the Lions at Mosaic Stadium that included four interceptions (a franchise record) and a fumble recovery. His fifth takeaway was an interception late in the fourth quarter.
7. MARTESE JACKSON’S KICK RETURN NON-TOUCHDOWN
It appeared that Martese Jackson’s second kickoff return touchdown of the game between Toronto and the Blue Bombers had won Winnipeg’s Karen Kuldys a million dollars, but the play was called back on a holding penalty.
6. DURON CARTER’S ONE-HANDED CATCH
Duron Carter made arguably the best catch of the season look easy against the Toronto Argonauts at Mosaic Stadium in Week 6. His catch, which was a touchdown grab, helped the Riders to a 38-27 win over the Boatmen.
5. CHRISTION JONES’ EF PUNT RETURN TOUCHDOWN
Christion Jones turned the tide for the Riders late in the fourth quarter of the Eastern Final with a punt return touchdown that put Saskatchewan in the lead. That score set off the Roughriders sideline, and the Rider fans who made the trip to BMO Field.
4. MATT BLACK’S GREY CUP INTERCEPTION
With the Stampeders in field goal range, Bo Levi Mitchell targeted Marken Michel in the end zone for the win. But defensive back Matt Black (who had been released and then re-signed by the Argonauts earlier in the season) came up with the game-sealing interception in the end zone to clinch the upset, and the Grey Cup, for Toronto.
3. ANDREW HARRIS’ ONE-YARD TOUCHDOWN
On the last play of the game, Andrew Harris managed to stretch far enough into the end zone to finish the Bombers incredible comeback against the Alouettes in Week 6 with a one-yard touchdown. That score sent Investors Group Field into pandemonium.
2. DURON CARTER’S PICK-SIX
When it was announced that Duron Carter would be starting at cornerback in Week 18 instead of his usual spot at wide receiver, Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell had a few choice words over social media. It was Carter, however, who had the last laugh when he intercepted Mitchell and scored a pick-six. That score helped the Riders to blow out the Stampeders 30-7 in front of Calgary’s home crowd.
1. CASSIUS VAUGHN FUMBLE RETURN
Cassius Vaughn flipped the script and returned a Kamar Jorden fumble all the way to the house just as the Stampeders were knocking on the door to score late in fourth quarter of the 105th Grey Cup presented by Shaw. The stunned Calgary benched looked on as the Argonauts were elated on the sidelines. That score set the comeback into motion for Toronto to be crowned victors.
