51st McCallister Cup

51st McCallister Cup

*Field Design: This year's field is the first to feature the cup in any capacity on the field as the Victors produced a unique logo for the game featuring the trophy with the team's flame from their torch logo as well as the # of the game and location. This is also the first time each team had coloured endzone in the design of their own endzones on their own field. 

Buffalo Blue Wings VS. Ottawa Royals - Victory Stadium - October 5, 1969 - 6 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy - 20ºC | 69ºF
1st Q
The Blue Wings would elect to take the ball to start the game in order to get QB Travis Jackson comfortable under centre in his first career start. On the opening drive, they would pick up a first down, but not much else. In fact, both teams struggled on offence with very few yards being picked up early in the game. Buffalo would eventually get into field goal range after a strong string of plays and K Ryan Perch would strike first blood. Ottawa’s offence continued to spin its tires and Buffalo would maintain their lead into the 2nd. 
BUF 3-0 OTT

2nd Q
The second frame would continue much the same as the first with both teams’ defences stepping up. Ottawa would get a turnover with DL Bernhard Hartmann swatting the ball out of QB Travis Jackson’s hands. However, Buffalo would get it right back with RB Corbyn Knight losing the ball a few plays later because of DL William Sanderson. Eventually, Buffalo would get another turnover, this time from DB Dean Hawkins, who picked off QB Drake Young’s pass. The 2nd turnover would turn into a field goal to give Buffalo a 6-0 lead. Ottawa had one last shot near the end of the half, but they ran out of time, leaving the game at 6-0.
BUF 6-0 OTT

3rd Q
Ottawa hoped to finally break their silence early in the 2nd half, but Buffalo remained in control defensively. Luckily for Ottawa, their defence also was stepping up, keeping them within a score of the lead. The Royals remained calm and eventually, their patience would be rewarded with WR Colby Bancana breaking a tackle and picking up a whole chuck of yards. Soon enough, RB Corbyn Knight would get into the endzone to give Ottawa the 6-7 lead. There was a newfound confidence in the Royals, but it did not faze the Blue Wings who would then put together their own scoring drive, led by RB Jimmy Golden. Golden would get the score from 6 yards out to give Buffalo their 6-point lead back. Buffalo would remain in the lead heading into the final quarter.
BUF 13-7 OTT

4th Q
The game overall did not have a lot of offensive excitement, but that only made every score that much more meaningful. Both teams continued to pressure the other QB with several sacks occurring for both squads early in the quarter. However, Ottawa’s pressure would turn into a big play when QB Travis Jackson would rush a throw, which fluttered into the arms of DB Sergio Alvarez. The interception gave the Royals' offence some energy, as they would push their way down the field. From 8 yards out, QB Drake Young would drop back and find WR Piers Key for the touchdown to tie the game and then give them the lead after K Ira Foster’s extra point. Ottawa continued to hold the momentum following the touchdown, as the defence would stop Buffalo for a 2 and out on the ensuing drive. After getting the ball back, Ottawa’s offence continued to rumble, with RB Corbyn Knight breaking loose for 23 yards to get Ottawa into field goal range. The Royals were forced to 2nd and 8, after the Knight run, and they would look to the air to keep the drive alive. However, DL Ned Hedman would put pressure on QB Drake Young, who would spin out of the pocket dropping back further. When Young turned back upfield to see where his receivers were, DL William Sanderson was right in his face and he had to take the sack. K Ira Foster would trot out to kick a 46-yard field goal. Foster would get a good boot on the ball, but it would be pulled to the left just enough to barely miss. Luckily for the Royals, they would still get a point out of the play due to RB Jasper Dickerson misjudging the ball on the return, allowing it to bounce past him. Buffalo would eventually kick it out of their end on the next drive, but they also needed a stop with time running thin. Their defence got out there and they would force Ottawa to a 2 and out. The Royals would punt and RB Jasper Dickerson had a chance to redeem his flub on the missed field goal. Dickerson would follow through with a massive return getting the ball over midfield. The Blue Wings’ offence would take the field and would promptly lose 3 yards on the first play as the Royals blew up a screen pass to RB Jimmy Golden in the backfield. QB Travis Jackson would need to step up and make an important throw on the next play. Jackson would drop back and then fire a pass to WR Tracy Driscoll. The pass was easily the best Jackson threw all game, hitting Driscoll up the seam, right between 2 defenders who collided with each other to allow Driscoll to slip away. Driscoll would pick up another 8 yards before S Marc Bellecourt put a stop to it. However, Buffalo was already in prime field goal range. They would run the ball on the next couple of plays and get the clock to 0 for the final play. K Ryan Perch was on the field to kick the potential game-winner. There were some attempts from Royals fans to make noise, but as soon as Perch’s foot hit the ball, Victory Stadium went silent. The Ball sailed right through the uprights, and the Blue Wings fans in attendance exploded with excitement as they have just won their 4th McCallister Cup in 6 seasons.  

*Bonus Stats: I have a feeling that QB Travis Jackson may hold onto this rare stat for a long time, being the first QB not only to have his first start be the McCallister Cup but also to win the championship game in his first career start. It’s going to be unlikely to see anyone else make their first start in the McCallister Cup let alone win it. 

BUF - #21 RB Jimmy Golden

OTT - #47 DB Sergio Alvarez

Injury Report
OTT: OL Peter Kingsley - Day-to-Day

McCallister Cup MVP

DL William Sanderson BUF - 2 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble, 7 Tackles
Defence won this game for Buffalo and Sanderson was at the centre of 2 important plays that changed the game, as he wins his second McCallister Cup MVP. 

1969 McCallister Cup Champions

1969 Season Recap