1953: The Year in Canadian Football
Montreal Alouettes (8-6)
Head Coach: Douglas Walker
Leading Rusher:
Leading Passer: Sam Etcheverry (2714)
Leading Receiver:
Edmonton Eskimos (12-4)
Head Coach: Darrell Royal
Leading Rusher: Billy Vessels (926)
Leading Passer: Claude Arnold (1171)
Leasing Receiver: Rollie Miles (27-657)
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8-6)
Head Coach: Carl Voyles
Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-7-1)
Head Coach: Frank Filchock
Leading Rusher: Bobby Marlow (563)
Leading Passer: Frank Filchock (925)
Leasing Receiver: Mac Speedie (57-817)
Ottawa Rough Riders (7-7)
Head Coach: Clem Crowe
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (8-8)
Head Coach: George Trafton
Leading Rusher: Lorne Benson (563)
Leading Passer: Jack Jacobs (1924)
Leasing Receiver: Bud Grant (68-922)
Toronto Argonauts (5-9)
Head Coach: Frank Clair
Calgary Stampeders (7-9)
Head Coach: Les Lear
Leading Rusher: Johnny Bright (815)
Leading Passer: Dave Anderson (1350)
Leasing Receiver: Paul Salata (65-1088)
Three television stations carried the Grey Cup game live, and the CRU was paid $20,500 for the rights. Billy Vessels won the first Schenley Award. G. Sydney Halter, Q.C. was named Commissioner of WIFU. For the 1953 season, it was ruled that the ORFU winners would travel west to play the WIFU winners in a semi-final game. This arrangement continued in the 1954 season.
WED AUG 26
TORONTO 11, Montreal 9 (18000) - Toronto roared back from behind in the dying minutes on Knobby Wirkowski's accurate passing arm, as he moved the defending champions 56 yards for their game-winning major. Billy Bass crashed over from the one for the winning score.
MONTREAL - 0 6 3 0 - 9
TORONTO - 0 6 0 5 - 11
2nd - TOR - Doug Pyzer, 56-yard pass from Knobby Wirkowski (Don Ettinger convert) TOR 6-0 2nd - MON - Chuck Hunsinger, 28-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Ray Poole convert) TIED 6-6 3rd - MON - Ray Poole, 25-yard field goal MON 9-6 4th - TOR - Bill Bass, 1-yard run TOR 11-9
SAT AUG 29
HAMILTON 14, Ottawa 10 (12000) - Hamilton started out slowly, came from behind a 6-2 count in the last half and stood off a late Ottawa rally in the sweltering hear. Billy Grimes and Royal Bailey, new United States imports, provided a good deal of the Tiger-Cat offensive power.
OTTAWA - 0 6 1 3 - 10
HAMILTON - 1 1 12 0 - 14
1st - HAM - Single, Bob Simpson rouged on Merle Hapes kick HAM 1-0 2nd - OTT - Bob Cunningham, 1-yard run (Gene Roberts convert) OTT 6-1 2nd - HAM - Single, Pete Karpuk rouged on Jack Logan kick OTT 6-2 3rd - HAM - Billy Grimes run (Logan convert) HAM 8-6 3rd - OTT - Single, Avatus Stone kick touch-in-goal HAM 8-7 3rd - HAM - Joe Shinn fumble return (Logan convert) HAM 14-7 4th - OTT - Roberts, 25-yard field goal OTT 14-10
Calgary 29, SASKATCHEWAN 17 (14000) - Import QB Frankie Albert threw for 288 yards and led the Calgary offense to a first quarter 23-0 lead. Glenn Dobbs and Frank Filchock combined to throw for 233 yards in the losing cause.
CALGARY - 23 0 6 0 - 29
SASKATCHEWAN - 0 11 0 6 - 17
1st - CAL - Bill Sherman, 30-yard pass from Frankie Albert (Pete Thodos convert) CAL 6-0 1st - CAL - Sherman, 84-yard pass from Albert (Albert pass to Al Endriss convert) CAL 12-0 1st - CAL - Sugarfoot Anderson, 45-yard fumble return CAL 17-0 1st - CAL - John Henry Johnson, 3-yard run (Thodos convert) CAL 23-0 2nd - SASK - Tex Williams, 38-yard pass from Glenn Dobbs CAL 23-5 2nd - SASK - Williams, 28-yard pass from Jim Cason CAL 23-10 2nd - SASK - Single, Keith Bennett rouged on Dobbs kick CAL 23-11 3rd - CAL - Al Endriss, 71-yard pass from Albert (Thodos convert) CAL 29-11 4th - SASK - Mac Speedie pass from Frank Filchock (Reg Whitehouse convert) CAL 29-17
WINNIPEG 7, Edmonton 6 (16108) - An attempted 18-yard field goal by Edmonton's Ted Tully on the last play of the game went astray to give Winnipeg the win. The kick was wide and went for a single point as a kick to the deadline. Tully had accounted for all of Edmonton's points in the game.
EDMONTON - 0 0 5 1 - 6
WINNIPEG - 0 1 0 6 - 7
2nd - WIN - Single, Rollie Miles rouged on Jack Jacobs kick WIN 1-0 3rd - EDM - Ted Tully recovered blocked kick in end zone EDM 5-1 4th - WIN - Len Meltzer, 1-yard run (Bud Korchak convert) WIN 7-5 4th - EDM - Single, Tully kick to deadline WIN 7-6
MON AUG 31
Edmonton 19, SASKATCHEWAN 17 (11030) - A 95-yard runback of a kickoff by Billy Vessels late in the fourth quarter gave Edmonton the win. The Riders got a 109-yard kickoff return from Herb Johnson ealier in the game.
EDMONTON - 6 7 0 6 - 19
SASAKTCHEWAN - 6 0 6 5 - 17
1st - EDM - Rollie Miles, 36-yard pass from Billy Vessels (Bill Snyder convert) EDM 6-0 1st - SASK - Herb Johnson, 109-yard kickoff return (Reg Whitehouse convert) TIED 6-6 2nd - EDM - Single, Ken Charlton rouged on Snyder kick EDM 7-6 2nd - EDM - Frank Anderson, 68-yard pass from Eddie Crowder (Snyder convert) EDM 13-6 3rd - SASK - Mac Speedie, 7-yard pass from Frank Tripucka (Del Wardien convert) EDM 13-12 4th - SASK - Johnson, 4-yard run SASK 17-13 4th - EDM - Vessels, 95-yard kickoff return (Snyder convert) EDM 19-17
WINNIPEG 16, Calgary 10 (16108) - Buddy Korchak paced the Bomber scoring with ten points - a touchdown, field goal and two converts. Calgary lost FB John Henry Johnson in the second quarter, after he slugged Bomber DE Normie Hill.
CALGARY - 5 0 5 0 - 10
WINNIPEG - 0 6 3 7 - 16
1st - CAL - Pete Thodos, 4-yard run CAL 5-0 2nd - WIN - Neill Armstrong, 14-yard pass from Tommy Thompson (Bud Korchak convert) WIN 6-5 3rd - WIN - Korchak field goal WIN 9-5 3rd - CAL - Thodos, 5-yard run CAL 10-9 4th - WIN - Korchak, 45-yard pass from Thompson (Korchak convert) WIN 15-10 4th - WIN - Single, Johnny Bright rouged on Jack Jacobs kick WIN 16-10
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
Hamilton 1 0 0 2 14 10 Winnipeg 2 0 0 4 23 15
Toronto 1 0 0 2 11 9 Calgary 1 1 0 2 39 33
Montreal 0 1 0 0 9 11 Edmonton 1 1 0 2 25 24
Ottawa 0 1 0 0 10 14 Saskatchewan 0 2 0 0 34 48
WED SEPT 2
MONTREAL 15, Toronto 7 (13267) - Montreal unleashed a running attack that netted 177 yards, while their defense held Toronto to 55 yards on the ground.
TORONTO - 0 7 0 0 - 7
MONTREAL - 9 0 6 0 - 15
1st - MON - Ray Poole, 33-yard field goal MON 3-0 1st - MON - Virgil Wagner, 3-yard run (Poole convert) MON 9-0 2nd - TOR - Single, Tommy Manastersky rouged on Steve Karrys kick MON 9-1 2nd - TOR - Ulysses Curtis, 44-yard pass from Nobby Wirkowski (Don Ettinger convert) MON 9-7 3rd - MON - Joe Scott, 5-yard run (Poole convert) MON 15-7
FRI SEPT 4
WINNIPEG 13, Saskatchewan 6 (16000) - Winnipeg kept up their unbeaten streak and kept Saskatchewan winless. Indian Jack Jacobs pitched the Bombers to a 13-0 halftime lead, then staved off a belated Rider aerial attack.
SASKATCHEWAN - 0 0 6 0 - 6
WINNIPEG - 6 7 0 0 - 13
1st - WIN - Tom Casey, 1-yard pass from Jack Jacobs (Bud Korchak convert) WIN 6-0 2nd - WIN - Single, Jim Cason rouged on Jacobs kick WIN 7-0 2nd - WIN - Tommy Ford, 8-yard pass from Lorne Benson (Korchak convert) WIN 13-0 3rd - SASK - Herb Johnson, 19-yard pass from Glenn Dobbs (Joe Aguirre convert) WIN 13-6
SAT SEPT 5
Edmonton 18, CALGARY 6 (15000) - Billy Vessel raced 88 yards with the opening kickoff to set Edmonton on the right track. The Eskimos took a 11-0 lead into the fourth quarter after Tom Stolhandske caught a TD pass from Vessels.
EDMONTON - 5 0 6 7 - 18
CALGARY - 0 0 0 6 - 6
1st - EDM - Billy Vessel, 88-yard kickoff return EDM 5-0 3rd - EDM - Tom Stolhandske,10-yard pass from Vessels (Bill Synder convert) EDM 11-0 4th - CAL - John Henry Johnson, 3-yard run (Pete Thodos convert) EDM 11-6 4th - EDM - Steve Mendryk, 6-yard pass from Vessels (Snyder convert) EDM 17-6 4th - EDM - Single, Snyder kick EDM 18-6
OTTAWA 26, Montreal 6 (12000) - Despite muggy weather and a steady rain up to game time, Ottawa won easily behind Avatus Stone, who ran for two majors, and QB Tom O'Malley, who threw TD passes to Bob Simpson and Paul Salata.
MONTREAL - 0 0 6 0 - 6
OTTAWA - 6 13 6 1 - 26
1st - OTT - Avatus Stone, 5-yard run (Gene Roberts convert) OTT 6-0 2nd - OTT - Single, John Blaicher rouged on Tom O'Malley kick OTT 7-0 2nd - OTT - Bob Simpson, 22-yard pass from O'Malley (Roberts convert) OTT 13-0 2nd - OTT - Storm, 7-yard run (Roberts convert) OTT 19-0 3rd - MON - Chuck Hunsinger, 35-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Ray Poole convert) OTT 19-6 3rd - OTT - Paul Salata, 19-yard pass from O'Malley (Roberts convert) OTT 25-6 4th - OTT - Single, Stone kick to deadline OTT 26-6
MON SEPT 7
SASKATCHEWAN 23, Winnipeg 19 (14904) - A record crowd in Regina saw a passing duel between Winnipeg QB Indian Jack Jacobs and Frank Tripucka. The Riders came from a 13-6 halftime deficit to knock over the Bombers for the first time in 10 games spread over three seasons.
WINNIPEG - 6 7 0 6 - 19
SASKATCHEWAN - 6 0 11 6 - 23
1st - WIN - Single, Jack Jacobs kick in touch WIN 1-0 1st - SASK - Nels Greene, 6-yard pass from Frank Tripucka (Reg Whitehouse convert) SASK 6-1 1st - WIN - Neill Armstrong pass from Jacobs TIED 6-6 2nd - WIN - Single, Bud Korchak kick to deadline WIN 7-6 2nd - WIN - Lorne Benson, 10-yard pass from Jacobs (Korchak convert) WIN 13-6 3rd - SASK - Stan Williams, 47-yard pass from Tripucka (Whitehouse convert) WIN 13-12 3rd - SASK - Mac Speedie, 14-yard pass from Tripucka SASK 17-13 4th - WIN - Benson pass from Jacobs (Korchak convert) WIN 19-17 4th - SASK - Herb Johnson, 3-yard run (Whitehouse convert) SASK 23-19
EDMONTON 19, Calgary 5 (15500) - Only the thrilling end runs of Billy Vessels and Rollie Milers, plus the sharp passing of Claude Arnold, gave the crowd a glimpse of good football. Eskimo TDs weere by Arnold, Miles and Steve Mendryk.
CALGARY - 0 0 0 5 - 5
EDMONTON - 0 12 1 6 - 19
2nd - EDM - Claude Arnold, 11-yard run (Ted Tully convert) EDM 6-0 2nd - EDM - Steve Mendryk pass from Arnold (Tully convert) EDM 12-0 3rd - EDM - Single, Pete Thodos rouged by Frank Anderson on Rod Pantage kick EDM 13-0 4th - EDM - Rollie Miles, 1-yard run (Tully convert) EDM 19-0 4th - CAL - Thodos, 1-yard run EDM 19-6
HAMILTON 14, Toronto 12 (17000) - Nobby Wirkowski paced a strong Toronto passing attack, but it was not enough. Hamilton's Ray Truant fumbled the ball deep in Tiger-Cat territory with only minutes remaining, but three Argos failed to recover the ball which eventually bounced back to Truant.
TORONTO - 5 1 0 6 - 12
HAMILTON - 7 1 6 0 - 14
1st - HAM - Bernie Custis, 15-yard run (Jack Logan convert) HAM 6-0 1st - HAM - Single, Cam Fraser kicked to deadline HAM 7-0 1st - TOR - Al Pfeiffer pass from Nobby Wirkowski HAM 7-5 2nd - HAM - Single, Ted Toogood rouged on Fraser kick HAM 8-5 2nd - TOR - Single, Ray Truant rouged on Steve Karrys kick HAM 8-6 3rd - HAM - Quincy Armstrong returned blocked kick (Logan convert) HAM 14-6 4th - TOR - Bud Fowler recovered fumble in end zone (Donn Moomaw convert) HAM 14-12
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
Hamilton 2 0 0 4 28 22 Winnipeg 3 1 0 6 55 45
Ottawa 1 1 0 2 36 20 Edmonton 3 1 0 6 62 35
Montreal 1 2 0 0 30 44 Calgary 1 3 0 2 50 70
Toronto 1 2 0 2 30 38 Saskatchewan 1 3 0 2 63 80
FRI SEPT 11
MONTREAL 17, Hamilton 0 (13215) - Stan Heath and Bernie Custis shared quarterback duties for Hamilton, with little success, while Ray Poole scored 12 of Montreal's 17 points, thanks to two field goals, a convert, and a TD pass from Sam Etcheverry, who also plunged one yard for a major.
HAMILTON - 0 0 0 0 - 0
MONTREAL - 6 3 8 0 - 17
1st - MON - Sam Etcheverry, 1-yard run (Ray Poole convert) MON 6-0 2nd - MON - Poole, 28-yard field goal MON 9-0 3rd - MON - Poole, 30-yard field goal MON 12-0 3rd - MON - Poole, 10-yard pass from Etcheverry MON 17-0
SAT SEPT 12
CALGARY 23, Winnipeg 14 (12000) - Calgary charged from behind to snap a two-game losing streak. The Stampeders scored two converted touchdowns late in the game to overcome a 14-11 deficit and take the decision.
WINNIPEG - 6 1 0 7 - 14
CALGARY - 0 6 5 12 - 23
1st - WIN - Tommy Ford, 50-yard pass from Tommy Thompson (Bud Korchak convert) WIN 6-0 2nd - WIN - Single, Jack Jacobs kick to deadline WIN 7-0 2nd - CAL - Frankie Albert, 1-yard run (Bob Shaw convert) WIN 7-6 3rd - CAL - Pete Thodos, 18-yard pass from Albert CAL 11-7 4th - WIN - Neill Armstrong, 5-yard pass from Thompson (Jacobs convert) WIN 13-11 4th - WIN - Single, Thodos rouged by Dick Huffman on Jacobs kick WIN 14-11 4th - CAL - Thodos, 6-yard pass from Albert (Stan Kaluznick convert) CAL 17-14 4th - CAL - John Henry Johnson, 7-yard run (Sugarfoot Anderson pass from Albert) CAL 23-14
EDMONTON 13, Saskatchewan 1 (15300) - Billy Vessels, the Sooner Schooner, rammed home a pair of touchdown torpedoes as the Eskimos sank the Riders into the West cellar. Edmonton rolled up 366 yards rushing, while holding the Riders to just 74 on the ground.
SASKATCHEWAN - 1 0 0 0 - 1
EDMONTON - 6 0 6 1 - 13
1st - EDM - Billy Vessels, 14-yard pass from Rollie Miles (Ted Tully convert) EDM 6-0 1st - SASK - Single, Frank Tripucka kick EDM 6-1 3rd - EDM - Billy Vessels, 40-yard run (Tully convert) EDM 12-1 4th - EDM - Single, Ken Charlton rouged by Charlie Genthner on Rod Pantages kick EDM 13-1
Ottawa 20, TORONTO 16 (17459) - Twenty-three points, including four touchdowns, were crammed into the final session, with the Double Blue scoring three of them on TD passes by quarterback Nobby Wirkowski in a desperate attempt to rally.
OTTAWA - 7 5 0 8 - 20
TORONTO - 0 0 1 15 - 16
1st - OTT - Single, Avatus Stone kick OTT 1-0 1st - OTT - Gene Roberts, 1-yard run (Roberts convert) OTT 7-0 2nd - OTT - Bob Simpson, 15-yard pass from Tom O'Malley OTT 12-0 3rd - TOR - Single, Ed Yablonski rouged on Steve Karrys kick OTT 12-1 4th - OTT - Single, Roberts kick to deadline OTT 13-1 4th - TOR - Joe Scudero, 85-yard pass from Nobby Wirkowski OTT 13-6 4th - OTT - Bernie Flowers, 36-yard pass from O'Malley (Roberts convert) OTT 19-6 4th - TOR - Scudero, 11-yard pass from Wirkowski OTT 19-11 4th - TOR - Ulysses Curtis, 46-yard pass from Wirkowski OTT 19-16 4th - OTT - Single, Ted Toogood rouged on Stone kick OTT 20-16
MON SEPT 14
Saskatchewan 34, CALGARY 2 (13000) - Glenn Dobbs, who some said was a bit too old for the game at 32, reeled out his arm muscles which sent him and the Riders to the Grey Cup two years ago. He tossed four touchdown passes in completely bewildering the Stampeders.
SASKATCHEWAN - 6 13 8 7 - 34
CALGARY - 2 0 0 0 - 2
1st - SASK - Bobby Marlow, 3-yard run (Del Wardien convert) SASK 6-0 1st - CAL - Safety, Glenn Dobbs grounded pass in own end zone SASK 6-2 2nd - SASK - Stan Williams pass from Dobbs (Wardien convert) SASK 12-2 2nd - SASK - Single, Dobbs kick SASK 13-2 2nd - SASK - Herb Johnson pass from Dobbs (Wardien convert) SASK 19-2 3rd - SASK - Safety, Keith Spaith grounded pass in own end zone SASK 21-2 3rd - SASK - Mac Speedie, 27-yard pass from Dobbs (Wardien convert) SASK 27-2 4th - SASK - Single, Pete Thodos rouged by Williams on Wardien kick SASK 28-2 4th - SASK - Bob McMillan, 6-yard pass from Dobbs (Wardien convert) SASK 34-2
EDMONTON 9, Winnipeg 7 (16000) - A third quarter touchdown by Normie Kwong gave Edmonton a 2-point win and a four-point lesd in the WIFU standings over second-place Winnipeg. The Bombers never led in the game, while Bud Korchak's FG attempt on the last play was blocked by Bill Briggs.
WINNIPEG - 0 3 3 1 - 7
EDMONTON - 3 0 6 0 - 9
1st - EDM - Bill Snyder field goal EDM 3-0 2nd - WIN - Bud Korchak field goal TIED 3-3 3rd - EDM - Normie Kwong, 9-yard run (Snyder convert) EDM 9-3 3rd - WIN - Korchak, 11-yard field goal EDM 9-6 4th - WIN - Single, Rollie Miles rouged on Korchak kick EDM 9-7
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
Hamilton 2 1 0 4 28 39 Edmonton 5 1 0 10 84 43
Ottawa 2 1 0 4 56 36 Winnipeg 3 3 0 6 76 77
Montreal 2 2 0 4 47 44 Calgary 2 4 0 4 75 118
Toronto 1 3 0 2 46 58 Saskatchewan 2 4 0 4 98 95
WED SEPT 16
Toronto 21, HAMILTON 20 - Joe Scudero, who joined the Argos a week ago after a tryout with the Detroit Lions, led Toronto's final drive. Scuedero gained 42 yards on two plunges - the last on third down - to go over the touchdown that broke the Tiger-Cats' hearts.
TORONTO - 5 6 3 7 - 21
HAMILTON - 0 1 7 13 - 20
1st - TOR - Doug Smylie run TOR 5-0 2nd - TOR - Jack Gray recovered blocked kick in end zone (Jack Barry convert) TOR 11-0 2nd - HAM - Single, Teddy Toogood rogued on Cam Fraser kick TOR 11-1 3rd - TOR - Barry, 26-yard field goal TOR 14-1 3rd - HAM - Lou Kusserow pass from Auburn Lambeth (Jack Logan convert) TOR 14-7 3rd - HAM - Single, Royal Copeland rouged on Fraser kick TOR 14-8 4th - TOR - Single, Steve Karrys kick TOR 15-8 4th - HAM - Hal Waggoner run (Logan convert) TOR 15-14 4th - TOR - Joe Scudero run (Barry convert) TOR 21-14 4th - HAM - Lambeth, 1-yard line (Logan convert) TOR 21-20
OTTAWA 22, Montreal 13 (15155) - Montreal failed to break a four-year jinx (13 games), after leading 12-8 at halftime. Avatis Stone, notched all three Rider majors and kicked two singles for a total of 17 points. Gene Roberts converted all three Ottawa TDs.
MONTREAL - 6 6 1 0 - 13
OTTAWA - 7 1 7 7 - 22
1st - OTT - Single, Bruce Coulter rouged on Avatus Stone kick OTT 1-0 1st - MON - Ray Poole, 5-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 6-1 1st - OTT - Stone, 10-yard pass from Tom O'Malley (Gene Roberts convert) OTT 7-6 2nd - MON - Red O'Quinn, 36-yard pass from Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 12-7 2nd - OTT - Single, Coulter rouged by Bernie Flowers on Stone kick MON 12-8 3rd - OTT - Stone, 65-yard pass from O'Malley (Roberts convert) OTT 14-12 3rd - MON - Single, Ed Yablonski rouged on Coulter kick OTT 14-13 3rd - OTT - Single, Chuck Hunsinger rouged on O'Malley kick OTT 15-13 4th - OTT - Stone, 5-yard pass from O'Malley (Roberts convert) OTT 21-13 4th - OTT - Single, Coulter rouged on O'Malley kick OTT 22-13
SAT SEPT 19
Edmonton 12, SASKATCHEWAN 6 (13024) - The Riders stopped everything the Eskimos threw at them - except Billy Vessels, the Oklahoma whiz kid who scored both Edmonton touchdowns, dashing 86 yards for one in the second quarter.
EDMONTON - 0 6 0 6 - 12
SASKATCHEWAN - 0 0 0 6 - 6
2nd - EDM - Billy Vessels, 86-yard run (Bill Snyder convert) EDM 6-0 4th - EDM - Vessels, 9-yard run (Snyder convert) EDM 12-0 4th - SASK - Del Wardien, 9-yard pass from Glenn Dobbs (Wardien convert) EDM 12-6
WINNIPEG 16, Calgary 15 (16578) - Two blocked coverts by tackle Buddy Tinsley gave Winnipeg the win. Ther blocks by the former Los Angeles Dons lineman halted a fourth quarter drive by the Stampeders, which netted two touchdowns and almost wiped out a 16-5 Winnipeg lead.
CALGARY - 5 0 0 10 - 15
WINNIPEG - 6 0 9 1 - 16
1st - WIN - Bud Grant, 22-yard pass from Jack Jacobs (Bud Korchak convert) WIN 6-0 1st - CAL - John Henry Johnson, 40-yard pass from Frankie Albert WIN 6-5 3rd - WIN - Tom Casey, 11-yard pass from Jacobs (Korchak convert) WIN 12-5 3rd - WIN - Korchak, 21-yard field WIN 15-5 4th - WIN - Single, Johnson rouged by Lorne Benson on Jacobs kick WIN 16-5 4th - CAL - Sugarfoot Anderson, 32-yard fumble return WIN 16-10 4th - CAL - Pete Thodos pass from Keith Spaith WIN 16-15
Hamilton 12, TORONTO 9 (23082) - The Hamilton defense intercepted two long forwards by Argo QB Don Panciera to convert them into Tiger-Cat scores. Hamilton picked up 187 yards rushing against only 68 for Toronto.
HAMILTON - 6 0 3 3 - 12
TORONTO - 1 0 0 8 - 9
1st - HAM - Lou Kusserow, 1-yard run (Jack Logan convert) HAM 6-0 1st - TOR - Single, Steve Karrys kick HAM 6-1 3rd - HAM - Logan, 29-yard field goal HAM 9-1 4th - TOR - Al Pfeifer pass from Don Panciera (Jack Barry convert) HAM 9-7 4th - HAM - Logan, 19-yard field goal HAM 12-7 4th - TOR - Safety touch, Auburn Lambeth conceded HAM 12-9
SUN SEPT 20
MONTREAL 37, Ottawa 21 (16902) - Chuck Hunsinger went over for four majors as Ottawa, but the Alouettes ended a three-year jinx Ottawa had held over them. It was the first Montreal victory over Ottawa since Oct. 9, 1950, and the first win over Ottawa since Clem Crowe has been Ottawa's coach.
OTTAWA - 9 0 0 12 - 21
MONTREAL - 5 0 18 14 - 37
1st - OTT - Bob Simpson, 20-yard pass from Avatus Stone (Gene Roberts convert) OTT 6-0 1st - OTT - Roberts, 40-yard field goal OTT 9-0 1st - MON - Chuck Hunsinger, 27-yard run OTT 9-5 3rd - MON - Hunsinger, 27-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Ray Poole convert) MON 11-9 3rd - MON - Red O'Quinn, 8-yard pass from Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 17-9 3rd - MON - Joey Pal, 8-yard pass from Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 23-9 4th - MON - Stone, 39-yard pass from Tom O'Malley (Roberts convert) MON 23-15 4th - OTT - Roberts, 3-yard run (Roberts convert) MON 23-21 4th - MON - Hunsinger, 12-yard run (Poole convert) MON 29-21 4th - MON - Hunsinger, 3-yard run (Poole convert) MON 35-21 4th - MON - Safety touch, O'Malley conceded after bad snap MON 37-21
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
Hamilton 3 2 0 6 60 69 Edmonton 6 1 0 12 96 49
Ottawa 3 2 0 6 99 86 Winnipeg 4 3 0 8 92 92
Montreal 3 3 0 6 97 87 Calgary 2 5 0 4 90 144
Toronto 2 4 0 4 76 90 Saskatchewan 2 5 0 4 104 107
SAT SEPT 26
SASKATCHEWAN 21, Winnipeg 15 (12446) - The Riders spotted the Bombers an early lead on a Bud Korchak field goal, then struck for three converted touchdowns and a single to take a 19-3 lead in the third quarter.
WINNIPEG - 3 0 6 6 - 15
SASKATCHEWAN - 6 7 6 2 - 21
1st - WIN - Bud Korchak, 14-yard field goal WIN 3-0 1st - SASK - Bobby Marlow, 1-yard run (Del Wardien convert) SASK 6-3 2nd - SASK - Single, Tom Casey rouged on Wardien kick SASK 7-3 2nd - SASK - Herb Johnson, 1-yard run (Wardien convert) SASK 13-3 3rd - SASK - Mac Speedie, 31-yard pass from Glenn Dobbs (Wardien convert) SASK 19-3 3rd - WIN - Bud Grant, 36-yard pass from Jack Jacobs (Korchak convert) SASK 19-9 4th - WIN - Andy Sokol, 19-yard pass from Jacobs (Korchak convert) SASK 19-15 4th - SASK - Safety touch, Jacobs grounded ball behind goal line SASK 21-15
EDMONTON 15, Calgary 6 (15000) - Frankie Albert was pulled from the game in the second quarter by Stampeder Coach Bob Snyder after four of his passes were intercepted, three in the Eskimo end zone. Edmonton shot into a clear six-point lead over Winnipeg in the West with the win.
CALGARY - 0 0 0 6 - 6
EDMONTON - 0 9 6 0 - 15
2nd - EDM - Steve Mendryk, 6-yard run with lateral from Eddie Crowder (Ted Tully convert) EDM 6-0 2nd - EDM - Tully, 14-yard convert EDM 9-0 3rd - EDM - Don Simon, 4-yard run (Tully convert) EDM 15-0 4th - CAL - Pete Thodos, 18-yard pass from Keith Spaith (Glen Christian convert) EDM 15-6
HAMILTON 20, Montreal 15 (16000) - Just seconds away from taking over first place in the East for the first time since 1949, Montreal saw Cam Fraser recovered his own missed kick for a touchdown in the end zone for the amazing win.
MONTREAL - 3 6 6 0 - 15
HAMILTON - 1 7 6 6 - 20
1st - HAM - Single, Tommy Manstersky rouged by Pete Neumann on Cam Fraser kick HAM 1-0 1st - MON - Ray Poole, 43-yard field goal MON 3-1 2nd - HAM - Single, Manastersky rouged by Neuman on Logan kick MON 3-2 2nd - HAM - Ralph Toohy, 11-yard pass from Butch Songin (Jack Logan convert) HAM 8-3 2nd - MON - Tom Hugo, 5-yard fumble return (Poole convert) MON 9-8 3rd - MON - Joe Pal, 19-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 15-8 3rd - HAM - Lou Kusserow, 10-yard pass from Songin (Logan convert) MON 15-14 4th - HAM - Fraser recovered kick in end zone (Logan convert) HAM 20-15
Toronto 18, OTTAWA 17 (16000) - Don Moomaw was able to convince the officials that his Argonauts were wrong and Ottawa right in a disputed forward pass ruling. Despite the sportsmanship of their head coach, the Argos held on win for the one-point win.
TORONTO - 6 5 6 1 - 18
OTTAWA - 0 2 9 6 - 17
1st - TOR - Al Bruno, 5-yard pass from Nobby Wirkowski (Bob Shaw convert) TOR 6-0 2nd - OTT - Single, Tom O'Malley rouged on Ted Toogood kick TOR 6-1 2nd - TOR - Bruno, 25-yard interception return TOR 11-1 2nd - OTT - Single, Avatus Stone rouged on Toogood kick TOR 11-2 3rd - OTT - Bernie Flowers, 40-yard pass from O'Malley (Gene Roberts convert) TOR 11-8 3rd - OTT - Roberts, 27-yard field goal TIED 11-11 3rd - TOR - Ulysses Curtis, 5-yard run (Shaw convert) TOR 17-11 4th - TOR - Single, Ed Yablonski rouged on Steve Karrys kick TOR 18-11 4th - OTT - Stone, 45-yard interception return (Roberts convert) TOR 18-17
MON SEPT 28
WINNIPEG 19, Saskatchewan 2 (16400) - Geoff Crain, a 22-year-old rookie QB from McGill, directed the Blue Bombers to the win, their first in three starts against the Riders. Crain threw two touchdown passes to Bud Grant and led a rushing attack that rolled up 165 yards.
SASKATCHEWAN - 0 1 1 0 - 2
WINNIPEG - 6 1 6 6 - 19
1st - WIN - Bud Grant, 27-yard pass from Geoff Crain (Bud Korchak convert) WIN 6-0 2nd - WIN - Single, Herb Johnson rouged on Korchak kick WIN 7-0 2nd - SASK - Single, Dave West rouged on Frank Tripucka kick WIN 7-1 3rd - WIN - Len Meltzer, 1-yard run (Korchak convert) WIN 13-1 3rd - SASK - Single, Gerry James rouged on Tripucka kick WIN 13-2 4th - WIN - Grant, 11-yard pass from Crain (Korchak convert) WIN 19-2
Edmonton 21, CALGARY 12 (12000) - Edmonton won its eighth straight as Rollie Miles scored three majors. Calgary QB Frankie Albert, under fire, appeared only briefly to hold the ball for converts. John Henry Johnson took the opening second half kickoff 106 yards to keep the Stamps in the contest.
EDMONTON - 2 0 6 13 - 21
CALGARY - 0 0 12 0 - 12
1st - EDM - Single, John Henry Johnson rouged on Bill Snyder kick EDM 1-0 1st - EDM - Single, Pete Thodos rouged on Rod Pantages kick EDM 2-0 3rd - CAL - Johnson, 106-yard kickoff return (Glenn Christian convert) CAL 6-2 3rd - EDM - Roland Miles, 20-yard run (Snyder convert) EDM 8-6 3rd - CAL - Bill Pullar fumble return (Christian convert) CAL 12-8 4th - EDM - Single, Pantages kick CAL 12-9 4th - EDM - Miles, 1-yard run (Snyder convert) EDM 15-12 4th - EDM - Miles, 15-yard run (Snyder convert) EDM 21-12
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
Hamilton 4 2 0 8 80 84 Edmonton 8 1 0 16 132 67
Ottawa 3 3 0 6 116 104 Winnipeg 5 4 0 10 126 115
Montreal 3 4 0 6 112 107 Saskatchewan 3 6 0 6 127 141
Toronto 3 4 0 6 94 107 Calgary 2 7 0 4 108 180
SAT OCT 3
SASKATCHEWAN 19, Edmonton 13 (12646) - Saskatchewan scored three converted first quarter touchdowns and a single to take a 19-0 lead before Edmonton could get settled down, snapping an eight-game Eskimo winning streak.
EDMONTON - 0 1 12 0 - 13
SASKATCHEWAN - 19 0 0 0 - 19
1st - SASK - Mac Speedie, 25-yard pass from Glenn Dobbs (Del Wardien convert) SASK 6-0 1st - SASK - Herb Johnson, 15-yard fumble return (Wardien convert) SASK 12-0 1st - SASK - Bob Marlow, 1-yard run (Wardien convert) SASK 18-0 1st - SASK - Single, Wardien kick SASK 19-0 2nd - EDM - Single, Johnson rouged on Pantages kick SASK 19-1 3rd - EDM - Billy Vessels, 2-yard run (Bill Snyder convert) SASK 19-7 3rd - EDM - Claude Arnold, 17-yard run (Snyder convert) SASK 19-13
WINNIPEG 24, Calgary 17 (16458) - Bud Korchak scored nine points on a pair of field goals and three converts, while Jack Jacobs fired touchdown passes to Bud Grant and Tommy Ford, to lead the Winnipeg attack, which brought the Bombers to within four points of Edmonton for first place.
CALGARY - 5 6 6 0 - 17
WINNIPEG - 6 3 9 6 - 24
1st - WIN - Bud Grant, 5-yard pass from Jack Jacobs (Bud Korchak convert) WIN 6-0 1st - CAL - Bill Sherman, 52-yard pass from Frankie Albert WIN 6-5 2nd - WIN - Korchak, 23-yard field goal WIN 9-5 2nd - CAL - Bob Westlake, 35-yard run (Glenn Christian convert) CAL 11-9 4th - WIN - Korchak, 25-yard field goal WIN 12-11 3rd - CAL - Albert, 16-yard run (Christian convert) CAL 17-12 3rd - WIN - Ralph McAllister, 10-yard run (Korchak convert) WIN 18-17 4th - WIN - Tommy Ford, 36-yard pass from Jacobs (Korchak convert) WIN 24-17
OTTAWA 31, Hamilton 6 (15500) - Bernie Flowers gathered in two touchdown passes from Tom O'Malley, while John Kissell, Gene Roberts and Howie Turner also scored majors as Ottawa steamrolled into a tie for first place in the Big Four.
HAMILTON - 0 0 0 6 - 6
OTTAWA - 6 6 1 18 - 31
1st - OTT - John Kissell fumble recovery in end zone (Gene Roberts convert) OTT 6-0 2nd - OTT - Bernie Flowers, 7-yard pass from Tom O'Malley (Roberts convert) OTT 12-0 3rd - OTT - Single, Ray Truant rouged on O'Malley kick OTT 13-0 4th - OTT - Roberts, 12-yard pass from O'Malley (Roberts convert) OTT 19-0 4th - OTT - Howie Turner, 20-yard interception return (Roberts convert) OTT 25-0 4th - OTT - Flowers, 12-yard pass from O'Malley (Roberts convert) OTT 31-0 4th - HAM - Lou Kusserow, 2-yard run (Jack Logan convert) OTT 31-6
MON OCT 5
Calgary 9, SASKATCHEWAN 8 (11116) - The Riders took an early 2-0 lead, which evaporated as Calgary scored a major in the second quarter, a field goal in the third and another converted touchdown in the final frame.
CALGARY - 0 6 3 0 - 9
SASKATCHEWAN - 2 0 0 6 - 8
1st - SASK- Safety touch, Del Wardien tackled John Henry Johnson in end zone SASK 2-0 2nd - CAL - Albert Endriss, 9-yard pass from Frankie Albert (Glen Christian convert) CAL 6-2 3rd - CAL - Christian, 32-yard field goal CAL 9-2 4th - SASK - Bob Marlow, 3-yard run (Wardien convert) CAL 9-8
Edmonton 16, WINNIPEG 6 (17014) - Edmonton recovered three Winnipeg fumbles, intercepted three pass attempts and blocked one kick. On the scoring end, second-year import Bill Snyder collected 11 points on three FGs, a single and a convert. The loss was Winnipeg's first in their new stadium.
EDMONTON - 4 0 9 3 - 16
WINNIPEG - 0 0 0 6 - 6
1st - EDM - Single, Tom Casey rouged on Bill Snyder kick EDM 1-0 1st - EDM - Snyder, 29-yard field goal EDM 4-0 3rd - EDM - Tom Stolhandske, 46-yard pass from Rollie Miles (Snyder convert) EDM 10-0 3rd - EDM - Snyder, 6-yard field goal EDM 13-0 4th - EDM - Snyder field goal EDM 16-0 4th - WIN - Geoff Crain, 5-yard run (Bud Korchak convert) EDM 16-6
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
Hamilton 4 3 0 8 86 115 Edmonton 9 2 0 18 161 92
Ottawa 4 3 0 8 147 110 Winnipeg 6 5 0 12 156 148
Montreal 3 4 0 6 112 107 Saskatchewan 4 7 0 8 154 163
Toronto 3 4 0 6 94 107 Calgary 3 8 0 6 134 202
SAT OCT 10
Saskatchewan 18, WINNIPEG 13 (16000) - Veteran Del Wardien kicked four field goals, a league record, to lead the Riders to the win, their first in Winnipeg since September 22nd 1951. The win also brough them to within two points of Winnipeg for second place in the West.
SASKATCHEWAN - 8 3 1 6 - 18
WINNIPEG - 6 0 6 1 - 13
1st - WIN - Neill Armstrong pass from Geoff Crain (Bud Korchak convert) WIN 6-0 1st - SASK - Del Wardien, 34-yard field goal WIN 6-3 1st - SASK - Harry Lampman, 30-yard pass from Frank Filchock SASK 8-6 2nd - SASK - Wardien, 30-yard field goal SASK 11-6 3rd - WIN - Lorne Benson, 2-yard run (Korchak convert) WIN 12-11 3rd - SASK - Single, Ken Charlton kick TIED 12-12 4th - WIN - Single, Korchak kick WIN 13-12 4th - SASK - Wardien, 12-yard field goal SASK 15-13 4th - SASK - Wardien, 17-yard field goal SASK 18-13
Edmonton 34, CALGARY 13 - Wilbur (Bill) Snyder paced the Edmonton attack with nine points on five converts, a field goal and a single. The import from California has booted 25 converts without a miss. Billy Vessels scored three majors for the Eskimos.
EDMONTON - 12 1 9 12 - 34
CALGARY - 6 1 0 6 - 13
1st - EDM - Billy Vessels, 6-yard run (Bill Snyder convert) EDM 6-0 1st - EDM - Vessels, 4-yard run (Bill Snyder convert) EDM 12-0 1st - CAL - Pete Thodos, 36-yard pass from Frankie Albert (Glenn Christian convert) EDM 12-6 2nd - EDM - Single, Christian rouged by Eagle Keys on Snyder kick EDM 13-6 2nd - CAL - Single, Ray Willsey rouged by Christian on Keith Spaith kick EDM 13-7 3rd - EDM - Snyder, 22-yard field goal EDM 16-7 3rd - EDM - Vessels, 5-yard run (Snyder convert) EDM 22-7 4th - CAL - John Henry Johnson pass from Albert (Albert pass to Sugarfoot Anderson) EDM 22-13 4th - EDM - Frankie Anderson, 26-yard pass from Claude Arnold (Snyder convert) EDM 28-13 4th - EDM - Rod Pantages, 5-yard run (Snyder convert) EDM 34-13
Hamilton 26, TORONTO 0 (19150) - Hamilton beat Toronto for the third time in four games and moved into a tie with Montreal atop the Big Four. Hamilton outrushed the Argos 209 yards to 93, but were beaten through the air, 200 yards to 117, but the Argos never got farther than the Ti-Cat 26-yard line.
HAMILTON - 3 3 6 14 - 26
TORONTO - 0 0 0 0 - 0
1st - HAM - Single, Cam Fraser kick HAM 1-0 1st - HAM - Single, Fraser kick HAM 2-0 1st - HAM - Single, Merle Hapes kick HAM 3-0 2nd - HAM - Jack Logan, 16-yard field goal HAM 6-0 3rd - HAM - Vito Ragazzo, 9-yard pass from Butch Songin (Logan convert) HAM 12-0 4th - HAM - Royal Bailey, 1-yard run (Logan convert) HAM 18-0 4th - HAM - Safety touch by Quincy Armstrong HAM 20-0 4th - HAM - Lou Kusserow run (Logan convert) HAM 26-0
Montreal 24, OTTAWA 6 (15482) - Alex Webster, up from the Washington Redskins, ripped through the Ottawa defensive line and snared Sam Etcheverry's passes adeptly. Jim Miller sparked the Alouette attack with a 20-yard return of a blocked kick in the second period.
MONTREAL - 3 7 6 8 - 24
OTTAWA - 0 0 6 0 - 6
1st - MON - Ray Poole, 19-yard field goal MON 3-0 2nd - MON - Single, Howie Turner rouged on Bruce Coulter kick MON 4-0 2nd - MON - Jim Miller, 20-yard run with blocked kick (Poole convert) MON 10-0 3rd - OTT - Gene Roberts, 2-yard run (Roberts convert) MON 10-6 3rd - MON - Single, Pete Karpuk rouged on Bruce Coulter kick MON 11-6 3rd - MON - Red O'Quinn, 53-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry MON 16-6 4th - MON - Safety touch conceded by Howie Turner MON 18-6 4th - MON - Phil Adrian, 3-yard run (Poole convert) MON 24-6
SUN OCT 11
MONTREAL 26, Ottawa 18 (15462) - Sam Etcheverry passed to Red O'Quinn, Alex Webster and Chuck Hunsinger as the Alouettes completed the weekend sweep and moved into a tie for first place with Hamilton in the Big Four.
OTTAWA - 3 9 6 0 - 18
MONTREAL - 0 9 12 5 - 26
1st - OTT - Gene Roberts, 24-yard field goal OTT 3-0 2nd - MON - Red O'Quinn, 12-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Ray Poole convert) MON 6-3 2nd - OTT - Avatus Stone, 48-yard pass from Tom O'Malley (Roberts convert) OTT 9-6 2nd - OTT - Roberts, 26-yard field goal OTT 12-6 2nd - MON - Poole, 30-yard field goal OTT 12-9 3rd - MON - Chuck Hunsinger, 49-yard pass from Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 15-12 3rd - OTT - Roberts, 17-yard run (Roberts convert) OTT 18-15 3rd - MON - Alex Webster, 45-yard pass from Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 21-18 4th - MON - Safety touch, O'Malley conceded in end zone after bad snap MON 23-18 4th - MON - Poole, 15-yard field goal MON 26-18
MON OCT 12
SASKATCHEWAN 14, Winnipeg 13 (15565) - A record crowd in Regina saw the Riders tie Winnipeg in the standings, with three games left to play. The game was a rugged one, following Saturday's contest which saw Winnipeg's Tommy Ford lost for the season with a severe kidney injury.
WINNIPEG - 3 0 6 4 - 13
SASKATCHEWAN - 2 1 6 5 - 14
1st - SASK- Safety, Tom Casey tackled in end zone by Mac Speedie SASK 2-0 1st - WIN - Bud Korchak, 32-yard field goal WIN 3-2 2nd - SASK - Single, Casey rouged on Ken Charlton kick TIED 3-3 3rd - WIN - Geoff Crain, 7-yard run (Korchak convert) WIN 9-3 3rd - SASK - Harry Lampman, 10-yard pass from Frank Filchock (Wardien convert) TIED 9-9 4th - SASK - Wardien field goal SASK 12-9 4th - SASK - Safety touch SASK 14-9 4th - WIN - Safety touch SASK 14-11 4th - WIN - Safety touch SASK 14-13
EDMONTON 22, Calgary 6 (15500) - Having clinched first place thanks to Saskatchewan's win, the Eskimos played most of their second stringers, and it was still enough to beat Calgary for a sixth straight time this season and practically wipe out their playoff hopes.
CALGARY - 0 0 6 0 - 6
EDMONTON - 7 2 0 13 - 22
1st - EDM - Rollie Miles, 4-yard run (Bill Snyder convert) EDM 6-0 1st - EDM - Single, Pete Thodos rouged on Snyder kick EDM 7-0 2nd - EDM - Single, Thodos rouged on Rod Pantages kick EDM 8-0 2nd - EDM - Single, Thodos rouged on Pantages kick EDM 9-0 3rd - CAL - John Henry Johnson, 4-yard run (Glenn Christian convert) EDM 9-6 4th - EDM - Steve Mendryk, 49-yard pass from Billy Vessels (Snyder convert) EDM 15-6 4th - EDM - Tom Stolhandske, 17-yard pass from Claude Arnold (Snyder convert) EDM 21-6 4th - EDM - Single, Brian Mulhern rouged by Steve Bendiak on Pantages kick EDM 22-6
Toronto 30, HAMILTON 12 (19069) - Toronto came up off the ground to whip Hamilton and gain a split of their Thanksgiving weekend home-and-away doubleheader. Thanks a third quarter outburst that netted three converted majors, the Argos found themselves in a tie with Ottawa for third place.
TORONTO - 7 5 18 0 - 30
HAMILTON - 0 12 0 0 - 12
1st - TOR - Al Bruno run (Bob Shaw convert) TOR 6-0 1st - TOR - Single, Steve Karrys kick TOR 7-0 2nd - HAM - Lou Kusserow run (Jack Logan convert) TOR 7-6 2nd - TOR - Hal Faverty run TOR 12-6 2nd - HAM - Bernie Custis run (Logan convert) TIED 12-12 3rd - TOR - Ulysses Curtis run (Shaw convert) TOR 18-12 3rd - TOR - Curtis run (Shaw run) TOR 24-12 3rd - TOR - Joe Scudero run (Shaw convert) TOR 30-12
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
Hamilton 5 4 0 10 124 145 X-Edmonton 11 2 0 22 217 111
Montreal 5 4 0 10 162 131 Winnipeg 6 7 0 12 182 180
Ottawa 4 5 0 8 171 160 Saskatchewan 6 7 0 12 186 189
Toronto 4 5 0 8 124 145 Calgary 3 10 0 6 153 258
X-Clinched first place
SAT OCT 17
Saskatchewan 24, CALGARY 18 (12000) - The Riders clinched a playoff berth as QB Frankie Filchock came in for an injured Glenn Dobbs in the first quarter. Rookie Karl Hilzinger led the way for the Riders with 138 yards rushing on 17 carries, and one TD on an 80-yard pass play.
SASKATCHEWAN - 6 12 6 0 - 24
CALGARY - 6 0 0 12 - 18
1st - CAL - John Henry Johnson, 2-yard run (Glenn Christian convert) CAL 6-0 1st - SASK - Bill Todd, 7-yard run (Del Wardien convert) TIED 6-6 2nd - SASK - Karl Hilzinger, 80-yard pass (Wardien convert) SASK 12-6 2nd - SASK - Todd, 4-yard run (Wardien convert) SASK 18-6 3rd - SASK - Sully Glasser, 2-yard run (Wardien convert) SASK 24-6 4th - CAL - Pete Thodos, 1-yard pass from Frankie Albert (Christian convert) SASK 24-12 4th - CAL - Peter Muir, 28-yard run with lateral from Frankie Albert (Christian convert) SASK 24-18
EDMONTON 32, Winnipeg 9 - HB Rollie Miles scored three touchdowns, the second time he has done that this season, while Edmonton QB Claude Arnold produced two TDs with his first two passes, coming on Edmonton's first five plays from scrimmage.
WINNIPEG - 0 3 0 6 - 9
EDMONTON - 12 1 6 13 - 32
1st - EDM - Tom Stolhandske, 21-yard pass from Claude Arnold (Bill Snyder convert) EDM 6-0 1st - EDM - Rollie Miles, 34-yard pass from Arnold (Snyder convert) EDM 12-0 2nd - WIN - Bud Korchak, 15-yard field goal EDM 12-3 2nd - EDM - Single, Tom Casey rouged on Rod Pantages kick EDM 13-3 3rd - EDM - Miles, 3-yard run (Snyder convert) EDM 19-3 4th - WIN - Gerry James, 8-yard run (Korchak convert) EDM 19-9 4th - EDM - Miles, 15-yard pass from Arnold (Snyder convert) EDM 25-9 4th - EDM - Single, Ernie Becker rouged by Ray Willsey EDM 26-9 4th - EDM - Don Simon, 1-yard run (Snyder convert) EDM 32-9
Hamilton 33, OTTAWA 24 (13500) - Ottawa QB Tom O'Malley had four first half passes intercepted as the Tiger Cats collected 24 points off those turnovers. Hamilton led 33-0 before Ottawa finally got rolling late in the third quarter, but it was too late.
HAMILTON - 13 14 6 0 - 33
OTTAWA - 0 0 5 19 - 24
1st - HAM - Single, Howie Turner rouged by Pete Neumann on Cam Fraser kick HAM 1-0 1st - HAM - Lou Kusserow, 52-yard pass from Butch Songin (Jack Logan convert) HAM 7-0 1st - HAM - Bernie Custis, 17-yard pass from Songin (Logan convert) HAM 13-0 2nd - HAM - Royal Bailey run (Logan convert) HAM 19-0 2nd - HAM - Safety touch, Neumann tackled Tom O'Malley in end zone HAM 21-0 2nd - HAM - Kusserow, 20-yard interception return (Logan convert) HAM 27-0 3rd - HAM - Logan pass from Songin (Logan convert) HAM 33-0 3rd - OTT - Matt Anthony, 5-yard pass from O'Malley HAM 33-5 4th - OTT - Single, Custis rouged on Bruce Cummings kick HAM 33-6 4th - OTT - Bob Cunningham, 1-yard run (Gene Roberts convert) HAM 33-12 4th - OTT - Bernie Flowers, 44-yard pass from O'Malley (Roberts convert) HAM 33-18 4th - OTT - Avatus Stone, 1-yard run (Roberts convert) HAM 33-24
SUN OCT 18
MONTREAL 39, Toronto 11 (19603) - Montreal QB Sam Etcheverry out-gunned Nobby Wirkowski with four touchdown passes, two to Red O'Quinn. Montreal rolled up 504 yards on offense, 350 through the air, in tying Hamilton for first in the Big Four.
TORONTO - 0 0 0 11 - 11
MONTREAL - 4 6 18 11 - 39
1st - MON - Ray Poole, 29-yard field goal MON 3-0 1st - MON - Single, Tex Coulter kick to deadline MON 4-0 2nd - MON - Red O'Quinn, 50-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 10-0 3rd - MON - Joe Pal, 57-yard pass from Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 16-0 3rd - MON - Chuck Hunsinger, 2-yard run (Poole convert) MON 22-0 3rd - MON - O'Quinn, 10-yard pass from Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 28-0 4th - TOR - Joe Scudero pass from Nobby Wirkowski MON 28-5 4th - MON - Ed Bradle, 20-yard fumble return MON 33-5 4th - TOR - Al Bruno, 21-yard pass from Wirkowski (Bob Shaw convert) MON 33-11 4th - MON - Alex Webster, 26-yard pass from Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 39-11
MON OCT 19
Winnipeg 18, CALGARY 6 (10000) - Neill Armstrong scored two majors for Winnipeg, as they easily won a listless game. Bombers QB Joe Zaleski started the game before Geoff Crain came in late. Keith Spaith played QB for Calgary, as QB Frankie Albert was out with a back injury.
WINNIPEG - 6 12 0 0 - 18
CALGARY - 0 0 0 6 - 6
1st - WIN - Neill Armstrong, 68-yard pass from Joe Zaleski (Bud Korchak convert) WIN 6-0 2nd - WIN - Lorne Benson, 1-yard run (Korchak convert) WIN 12-0 2nd - WIN - Armstrong lateral from Bud Grant (Korchak convert) WIN 18-0 4th - CAL - Al Endriss, 23-yard pass from Keith Spaith (Glenn Christian convert) WIN 18-6
Saskatchewan 20, EDMONTON 19 (15000) - Saskatchewan handed Edmonton its first home loss. The Riders have given Edmonton two of their three losses and racked up their fourth win in a row, as they overcame a 12-1 deficit.
SASKATCHEWAN - 0 13 0 7 - 20
EDMONTON - 6 6 1 6 - 19
1st - EDM - Rollie Miles, 91-yard run (Bill Snyder convert) EDM 6-0 2nd - SASK - Single, Miles rouged on Ken Charlton kick EDM 6-1 2nd - EDM - Miles, 35-yard pass from Claude Arnold (Snyder convert) EDM 12-1 2nd - SASK - Harry Lampman pass from Bill Todd (Del Wardien convert) EDM 12-7 2nd - SASK - Todd, 3-yard run (Wardien convert) SASK 13-12 3rd - EDM - Single, Charlton rouged on blocked kick TIED 13-13 4th - SASK - Bobby Marlow, 5-yard run (Wardien convert) SASK 19-13 4th - SASK - Single, Charlton kick to deadline SASK 20-13 4th - EDM - Sugarfoot Anderson, 37-yard pass from Arnold (Snyder convert) SASK 20-19
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
Hamilton 6 4 0 12 157 169 X-Edmonton 12 3 0 24 268 140
Montreal 6 4 0 12 201 142 Y-Saskatchewan 8 7 0 16 230 228
Ottawa 4 6 0 8 195 193 Y-Winnipeg 7 8 0 14 209 218
Toronto 4 6 0 8 135 184 Calgary 3 12 0 6 177 300
X-Clinched first place Y-Clinched playoff berth
SAT OCT 24
CALGARY 13, Saskatchewan 13 (T) (10000) - Saskatchewan, with aging QB Frankie Filchock at the helm, clinched second place in the West. He brought the Riders back from an early 6-0 deficit and then saw them stave off a spirited last quarter rally by the Stampeders.
SASKATCHEWAN - 6 1 6 0 - 13
CALGARY - 6 0 1 6 - 13
1st - CAL - John Henry Johnson, 15-yard pass from Pete Thodos (Glenn Christian convert) CAL 6-0 1st - SASK - Brian Timmis, 2-yard run (Harry Lampmann pass from Del Wardien) TIED 6-6 2nd - SASK - Single, Johnson rouged on Wardien kick SASK 7-6 3rd - CAL - Single, Herb Johnson rouged on by Al Endriss on Keith Spaith kick TIED 7-7 3rd - SASK - Mac Speedie, 7-yard pass from Frankie Filchock (Wardien convert) SASK 13-7 4th - CAL - Thodos, 3-yard pass from Spaith (Christian convert) TIED 13-13
Winnipeg 17, EDMONTON 8 (15000) - Edmonton lost the game, which meant nothing, but also lost HB Billy Vessels, who was carried from the field with a back injury, which would be something. Eskimo T Wilbur (Bill) Snyder kicked his 31st convert without a miss, believed a league record.
WINNIPEG - 0 6 11 0 - 17
EDMONTON - 0 6 0 2 - 8
2nd - EDM - Normie Kwong, 3-yard run (Bill Snyder convert) EDM 6-0 2nd - WIN - Len Meltzer, 1-yard run (Bud Korchak convert) TIED 6-6 3rd - WIN - Neill Armstrong, 31-yard pass from Joe Zaleski (Korchak convert) WIN 12-6 3rd - WIN - Andy Sokol pass from Jack Jacobs WIN 17-6 4th - EDM - Safety touch, Jacobs conceded WIN 17-8
TORONTO 17, Hamilton 5 (19437) - Faced with near elimination from the playoff race, Toronto whipped Hamilton in the sixth meeting of the season between the two clubs, leaving the series tied at three wind each. The final score of the game was announced after the officials met in their dressing room.
HAMILTON - 0 0 1 4 - 5
TORONTO - 0 8 3 6 - 17
2nd - TOR - Single, Steve Karrys kick TOR 1-0 2nd - TOR - Single, Karrys kick TOR 2-0 2nd - TOR - Ulysses Curtis, 3-yard run (Bob Shaw convert) TOR 8-0 3rd - TOR - Shaw, 26-yard field goal TOR 11-0 3rd - HAM - Single, Cam Fraser kick TOR 11-1 4th - TOR - Doug Smylie, 11-yard run (Shaw convert) TOR 17-1 4th - HAM - Safety touch, Nobby Wirkowski conceded TOR 17-3 4th - Safety touch, Bernie Custis tackled Royal Copeland in end zone TOR 17-5
SUN OCT 25
Ottawa 30, MONTREAL 15 (16115) - Ottawa's season looked over at halftime as they trailed Montreal 9-0, but the Riders exploded for 24 points in the third quarter and handed the Larks their first home loss in six league engagements.
OTTAWA - 0 0 24 6 - 30
MONTREAL - 3 6 0 6 - 15
1st - MON - Ray Poole, 8-yard field goal MON 3-0 2nd - MON - Alex Webster, 3-yard run (Poole convert) MON 9-0 3rd - OTT - Avatus Stone, 60-yard pass from Tom O'Malley MON 9-5 3rd - OTT - Gene Roberts, 10-yard run (Roberts convert) OTT 11-9 3rd - OTT - Single, Roberts kick to deadline OTT 12-9 3rd - OTT - Bob Cunningham, 4-yard run (Roberts convert) OTT 18-9 3rd - OTT - Bernie Flowers, 44-yard pass from O'Malley (Roberts convert) OTT 24-9 4th - MON - Red O'Quinn, 6-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Poole convert) OTT 24-15 4th - OTT - Flowers, 31-yard pass from O'Malley (Roberts convert) OTT 30-15
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
Hamilton 6 5 0 12 162 186 X-Edmonton 12 4 0 24 276 157
Montreal 6 5 0 12 216 172 Y-Saskatchewan 8 7 1 17 243 239
Ottawa 5 6 0 10 225 208 Y-Winnipeg 8 8 0 16 226 226
Toronto 5 6 0 10 152 189 Calgary 3 12 1 7 190 313
X-Clinched first place Y-Clinched playoff berth
SAT OCT 31
HAMILTON 31, Montreal 18 (17000) - The inconsistent Tiger-Carts spotted the Alouettes three early touchdowns and were trailing 18-1 with a minute to go in the second quarter. Hamilton then rolled to 30 straight points, sparked by a rushing attack which rolled up 377 yards.
MONTREAL - 12 6 0 0 - 18
HAMILTON - 1 6 12 12 - 31
1st - MON - Phil Adrian, 8-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Ray Poole convert) MON 6-0 1st - HAM - Single, Tommy Manastersky rouged on Cam Fraser kick MON 6-1 1st - MON - Joe Pal, 62-yard pass from Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 12-1 2nd - MON - Pal, 26-yard pass from Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 18-1 2nd - HAM - Jack Logan, 31-yard pass from Butch Songin (Logan convert) MON 18-7 3rd - HAM - Dick Brown, 20-yard interception return (Logan convert) MON 18-13 3rd - HAM - Bernie Custis, 2-yard run (Logan convert) HAM 19-18 4th - HAM - Royal Bailey, 1-yard run (Logan convert) HAM 25-18 4th - HAM - Lou Kusserow, 11-yard pass from Songin (Logan convert) HAM 31-18
Ottawa 20, TORONTO 8 (20187) - Ottawa climbed into a second place tie with Montreal in the Big Four race.
OTTAWA - 0 12 8 0 - 20
TORONTO - 6 0 0 2 - 8
1st - TOR - Johnny Fedesoff, 40-yard lateral from Steve Karrys (Bob Shaw convert) TOR 6-0 2nd - OTT - Avatus Stone, 4-yard run (Gene Roberts convert) TIED 6-6 2nd - OTT - Bob Cunningham, 6-yard run (Roberts convert) OTT 12-6 3rd - OTT - Tom O'Malley, 2-yard run (Roberts convert) OTT 18-6 3rd - OTT - Single, Fedesoff rouged by Benny MacDonnell on Stone kick OTT 19-6 3rd - OTT - Single, Stone kick touch-in-goal OTT 20-6 4th - TOR - Safety touch, O'Malley conceded to Hal Faverty in end zone OTT 20-8
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
Hamilton 7 5 0 14 193 204 X-Edmonton 12 4 0 24 276 157
Montreal 6 6 0 12 234 203 Y-Saskatchewan 8 7 1 17 243 239
Ottawa 6 6 0 12 245 216 Y-Winnipeg 8 8 0 16 226 226
Toronto 5 7 0 10 160 209 Calgary 3 12 1 7 190 313
X-Clinched first place Y-Clinched playoff berth
SAT NOV 7
OTTAWA 13, Toronto 4 (12688) - On a snow-coated, greasy field, in the rain and sleet, Toronto saw its postseason hopes end, while Ottawa found itself in a three-way tie for first place. The Riders took a 12-0 lead in the first half to put the game out of reach early.
TORONTO - 0 0 0 4 - 4
OTTAWA - 0 12 1 0 - 13
2nd - OTT - Gene Roberts, 46-yard pass from Tom O'Malley (Roberts convert) OTT 6-0 2nd - OTT - Bernie Flowers, 11-yard pass from O'Malley (Roberts convert) OTT 12-0 3rd - OTT - Single, Teddy Toogood rouged on Avatus Stone kick OTT 13-0 4th - OTT - Safety, Stone tackled in end zone by Royal Copeland OTT 13-2 4th - OTT - Safety touch, Stone conceded to Hal Faverty OTT 13-4
SUN NOV 8
MONTREAL 31, Hamilton 18 (12085) - Chuck Hunsinger scored three touchdowns, one set up by a sensational runback of a kickoff by Alex Webster, as Montreal rallied with a strong fourth quarter rally after a 12-12 halftime tie.
HAMILTON - 6 6 6 0 - 18
MONTREAL - 12 0 7 12 - 31
1st - MON - Joe Pal, 30-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Ray Poole convert) MON 6-0 1st - MON - Chuck Hunsinger, 20-yard interception return (Poole convert) MON 12-0 1st - HAM - Ralph Toohy, 31-yard pass from Lou Kusserow (Jack Logan convert) MON 12-6 2nd - HAM - Logan, 47-yard pass from Bernie Custis (Logan convert) TIED 12-12 3rd - MON - Hunsinger, 1-yard run (Poole convert) MON 18-12 3rd - HAM - Kusserow, 1-yard run (Logan convert) TIED 18-18 3rd - MON - Single, Bobby Dawson rouged on Etcheverry kick MON 19-18 4th - MON - Alex Webster, 2-yard run (Poole convert) MON 25-18 4th - MON - Hunsinger, 12-yard pass from Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 31-18
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
Hamilton 7 6 0 14 211 235 X-Edmonton 12 4 0 24 276 157
Montreal 7 6 0 14 265 221 Y-Saskatchewan 8 7 1 17 243 239
Ottawa 7 6 0 14 258 220 Y-Winnipeg 8 8 0 16 226 226
Toronto 5 8 0 10 164 222 Calgary 3 12 1 7 190 313
X-Clinched first place Y-Clinched playoff berth
SAT NOV 14
HAMILTON 18, Ottawa 8 (18000) - The Rough Riders couldn't get untracked at Hamilton and saw their playoff hopes end. The key play came when Bobby Simpson fumbled a punt behind his line in the second quarter and Don Beatty picked it up on the first bounce.
OTTAWA - 0 6 0 2 - 8
HAMILTON - 3 7 2 6 - 18
1st - HAM - Jack Logan, 17-yard field goal HAM 3-0 2nd - HAM - Don Beatty recovered fumbled punt in end zone (Logan convert) HAM 9-0 2nd - HAM - Single, Bob Simpson rouged on Merle Hapes kick HAM 10-0 2nd - OTT - Bernie Flowers, 20-yard pass from Tom O'Malley (Gene Roberts convert) HAM 10-6 3rd - HAM - Single, Hapes kicked to deadline HAM 11-6 3rd - HAM - Single, Bob Rumball stepped into touch on Hapes kick HAM 12-6 4th - HAM - Bernie Custis, 15-yard pass from Butch Songin (Logan convert) HAM 18-6 4th - OTT - Safety touch, Custis conceded HAM 18-8
Montreal 27, TORONTO 8 (16153) - On Joe Krol Day, the Alouettes completed their turnaround from 1952's last place finish. Alex Webster scored twice, once on a 78-yard run, while QB Sam Etcheverry threw for 166 yards and a TD, while adding one on the ground.
MONTREAL - 3 12 6 6 - 27
TORONTO - 0 6 2 0 - 8
1st - MON - Ray Poole, 28-yard field goal MON 3-0 2nd - MON - Alex Webster, 4-yard run (Poole convert) MON 9-0 2nd - MON - Red O'Quinn, 4-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 15-0 2nd - TOR - Doug Smylie, 1-yard run (Bob Shaw convert) MON 15-6 3rd - TOR - Safety touch, Webster rouged on goal zone fumble MON 15-8 4th - MON - Etcheverry, 1-yard run (Poole convert) MON 21-8 4th - MON - Webster, 78-yard run (Poole convert) MON 27-8
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
X-Montreal 8 6 0 16 292 229 X-Edmonton 12 4 0 24 276 157
Y-Hamilton 8 6 0 16 229 243 Y-Saskatchewan 8 7 1 17 243 239
Ottawa 7 7 0 14 266 238 Y-Winnipeg 8 8 0 16 226 226
Toronto 5 9 0 10 172 249 Calgary 3 12 1 7 190 313
X-Clinched first place Y-Clinched playoff berth
WIFU SEMI-FINAL (Winnipeg wins series, 60-23 points)
WED OCT 28
WINNIPEG 43, Saskatchewan 5 (16827) - Winnipeg FB Lorne Benson scored a record six touchdowns that helped give the Bombers a 38-point edge into the second game of the series. Benson scored three majors in each half, as the Bombers outrushed the Riders, 289 yards to 59.
SASKATCHEWAN - 0 0 5 0 - 5
WINNIPEG - 18 6 6 13 - 43
1st - WIN - Lorne Benson, 1-yard run (Bud Korchak convert) WIN 6-0 1st - WIN - Benson, 6-yard run (Korchak convert) WIN 12-0 1st - WIN - Len Meltzer, 3-yard run (Korchak convert) WIN 18-0 2nd - WIN - Benson, 2-yard run (Korchak convert) WIN 24-0 3rd - WIN - Benson, 33-yard run (Korchak convert) WIN 30-0 3rd - SASK - Bobby Marlow, 3-yard run WIN 30-5 4th - WIN - Benson, 5-yard run (Korchak convert) WIN 36-5 4th - WIN - Single, Bob McMillan rouged on Korchak kick WIN 37-5 4th - WIN - Benson, 40-yard lateral from Meltzer (Korchak convert) WIN 43-5
SAT OCT 31
SASKATCHEWAN 18, Winnipeg 17 (14000) - Facing the near hopeless task of overcoming a 36-point deficit in their semi-final series with Winnipeg. The Riders came up with a solid team effort to beat the Bombers for the fifth time in eight starts. Bud Korchak's missed convert attempt was the difference.
WINNIPEG - 0 6 6 5 - 17
SASKATCHEWAN - 6 6 0 6 - 18
1st - SASK - Bill Todd, 15-yard pass from Glenn Dobbs (Del Wardien convert) SASK 6-0 2nd - WIN - Gerry James, 92-yard kickoff return (Bud Korchak convert) TIED 6-6 2nd - SASK - Bobby Marlow, 3-yard run (Wardien convert) SASK 12-6 3rd - WIN - Andy Sokol, 10-yard pass from Joe Zaleski (Korchak convert) TIED 12-12 4th - WIN - Sokol, 4-yard run WIN 17-12 4th - SASK - Herb Johnson, 16-yard pass from Dobbs (Wardien convert) SASK 18-17
WIFU FINAL (Winnipeg wins series, 2 games to 1)
SAT NOV 7
EDMONTON 25, Winnipeg 7 (15500) - Edmonton, without injured Billy Vessels and Normie Kwong, won easily on a show-hardened field. Rod Pantages, with a major, and Rollie Miles, with two touchdowns, filled in for the Eskimos injured stars.
WINNIPEG - 1 0 0 6 - 7
EDMONTON - 6 9 10 0 - 25
1st - EDM - Rollie Miles, 2-yard run (Bill Snyder convert) EDM 6-0 1st - WIN - Single, Miles rouged on Jack Jacobs kick EDM 6-1 2nd - EDM - Single, Rod Pantages kick to deadline EDM 7-1 2nd - EDM - Pantages, 2-yard run (Snyder convert) EDM 13-1 2nd - EDM - Safety, Frankie Anderson tackled Joe Zaleski in end zone EDM 15-1 3rd - EDM - Snyder, 25-yard field goal EDM 18-1 3rd - EDM - Single, Neill Armstrong rouged on Pantages kick EDM 19-1 3rd - EDM - Miles, 15-yard pass from Claude Arnold (Snyder convert) EDM 25-1 4th - WIN - Armstrong, 5-yard pass from Jacobs (Korchak convert) EDM 25-7
WED NOV 11
WINNIPEG 21, Edmonton 17 (17434) - Winnipeg withheld a terrific last half drive by Edmonton to capture the second game of the series. A record West playoff crowd watched the Bombers nearly blow a 19-5 halftime lead, in a game featuring wind gusts up to 29 mph.
EDMONTON - 5 0 6 6 - 17
WINNIPEG - 0 19 0 2 - 21
1st - EDM - Bill Snyder, 15-yard field goal EDM 3-0 1st - EDM - Single, Rod Pantages kick EDM 4-0 1st - EDM - Single, Pantages kick EDM 5-0 2nd - WIN - Tom Casey, 15-yard pass from Joe Zaleski (Bud Korchak convert) WIN 6-5 2nd - WIN - Ralph McAllister, 4-yard run (Korchak convert) WIN 12-5 2nd - WIN - Single, Korchak kick to deadline WIN 13-5 2nd - McAllister, 24-yard pass from Casey WIN 18-5 2nd - WIN - Single, Gerry James kick to deadline WIN 19-5 3rd - EDM - Billy Vessels, 4-yard run (Snyder convert) WIN 19-11 4th - WIN - Safety touch, Pantages tackled in end zone following blocked punt recovery WIN 21-11 4th - EDM - Rollie Miles, 70-yard pass from Claude Arnold (Snyder convert) WIN 21-17
SAT NOV 14
Winnipeg 30, EDMONTON 24 (16000) - Edmonton led 18-6 going into the fourth quarter before the Blue Bombers exploded behind QB Indian Jack Jacobs, who three TD passes in the final 15 minutes. Dave Skrien intercepted a Claude Arnold pass and lateraled to Tom Casey for the clinching score.
WINNIPEG - 6 0 0 24 - 30
EDMONTON - 0 6 12 6 - 24
1st - WIN - Jerry James, 5-yard run (Bud Korchak convert) WIN 6-0 2nd - EDM - Tom Stolhandske, 2-yard pass from Rollie Miles (Bill Snyder convert) TIED 6-6 3rd - EDM - Billy Vessels, 2-yard run (Snyder convert) EDM 12-6 3rd - EDM - Miles, 16-yard pass from Claude Arnold (Snyder convert) EDM 18-6 4th - WIN - Len Meltzer, 10-yard pass from Jack Jacobs (Korchak convert) EDM 18-12 4th - EDM - Normie Kwong, 9-yard run (Snyder convert) EDM 24-12 4th - WIN - Bud Grant, 60-yard pass from Jack Jacobs (Korchak convert) EDM 24-18 4th - WIN - Keith Pearce, 38-yard pass from Jacobs (Korchak convert) TIED 24-24 4th - WIN - Tom Casey, 65-yard run with lateral from Dave Skrien (Korchak convert) WIN 30-24
GREY CUP SEMIFINAL
SAT NOV 21
WINNIPEG 24, Toronto Balmy Beach 4 (15900) - Toronto jumped out to an early 4-0 lead before Winnipeg took over in the first sudden death Cup semifinal played in Western Canada in Grey Cup history.
TORONTO - 4 0 0 0 - 4
WINNIPEG - 0 8 5 11 - 24
1st - TOR - Dick Gregory field goal TOR 3-0 1st - TOR - Single, Tom Casey rouged on George Ellis kick TOR 4-0 2nd - WIN - Neill Armstrong pass from Jack Jacobs (Bud Korchak convert) WIN 6-4 2nd - WIN - Safety touch, Ellis tackled in end zone WIN 8-4 3rd - WIN - Ron Kelly, 31-yard run WIN 13-4 4th - WIN - Len Meltzer run WIN 18-4 4th - WIN - Ernie Becker pass from Geoff Crain (Korchak convert) WIN 24-4
IRFU FINAL (Toronto wins, 2 games to 1)
SAT NOV 15
Toronto 22, HAMILTON 6 (17312) - Two of Toronto's touchdowns were the result of Hamilton miscues, as the Tiger-Cats' hope of their first Eastern title since 1935 were severely damaged. Nobby Wirkowski passed for 254 yards in leading the Argo attack.
TORONTO - 0 7 9 6 - 22
HAMILTON - 0 0 6 0 - 6
2nd - TOR - Ulysses Curtis, 10-yard pass from Nobby Wirkowski (Don Ettinger convert) TOR 6-0 2nd - TOR - Single, Joe Krol kick TOR 7-0 3rd - TOR - Ettinger, 20-yard field goal TOR 10-0 3rd - HAM - Hal Waggoner, 75-yard run (Jack Logan convert) TOR 10-6 3rd - TOR - Steve Karrys, 45-yard fumble return (Ettinger convert) TOR 16-6 4th - TOR - Al Bruno, 39-yard pass from Wirkowski (Ettinger convert) TOR 22-6
WED NOV 19
Hamilton 27, TORONTO 11 (25099) - Hamilton rallied to force a sudden death playoff game thanks to a fourth quarter touchdown pass by Bill Mackrides. Officials met after the game, flipped a coin, and announced the third playoff game would be played in Toronto.
HAMILTON - 12 6 3 6 - 27
TORONTO - 0 6 5 0 - 11
1st - HAM - Bernie Custis, 25-yard pass from Bill Mackrides (Jack Logan convert) HAM 6-0 1st - HAM - Hal Waggoner, 99-yard pass from Mackrides (Logan convert) HAM 12-0 2nd - HAM - Logan, 11-yard pass from Mackrides (Logan convert) HAM 18-0 2nd - TOR - Bill Bass, 4-yard run (Don Ettinger convert) HAM 18-6 3rd - HAM - Logan, 7-yard field goal HAM 21-6 3rd -TOR - Bass, 9-yard run HAM 21-11 4th - HAM - Joe Shinn, 5-yard pass from Mackrides (Logan convert) HAM 27-11
SAT NOV 22
TORONTO 12, Hamilton 7 (27242) - Trailing by one point with five minutes to play, Toronto won its 14th Big Four title thanks to a Nobby Wirkowski TD pass to Rod Smylie. Hamilton marched back down to the Argo 17 but three passes fell incomplete. The game featured no penalties being called.
HAMILTON - 7 0 0 0 - 7
TORONTO - 0 5 1 6 - 12
1st - HAM - Single, Cam Fraser kick HAM 1-0 1st - HAM - Bernie Custis, 25-yard pass from Bill Mackrides (Jack Logan convert) HAM 7-0 2nd - TOR - Al Bruno, 10-yard pass from Nobby Wirkowski HAM 7-5 3rd - TOR - Single, Joe Krol kick HAM 7-6 4th - TOR - Rod Smylie, 61-yard pass from Wirkowski (Don Ettinger convert) TOR 12-7
EAST FINAL
WED NOV 26
TORONTO 34, Sarnia 15 - Toronto, 5-1 favorites, swamped the Imperials with a six-touchdown scoring barrage to make the Grey Cup for the second time in three years. The Argos had no trouble, scoring two quick touchdowns in the first quarter.
SARNIA - 0 3 0 15 - 18
TORONTO - 12 1 5 16 - 34
1st - TOR - John Fedosoff run (Don Ettinger convert) TOR 6-0 1st - TOR - Royal Copeland pass from Nobby Wirkowski (Ettinger convert) TOR 12-0 2nd - TOR - Single, Joe Krol convert TOR 13-0 2nd - TOR - SAR - Dutch Davey, 20-yard field goal TOR 13-3 3rd - TOR - Al Bruno, 14-yard pass from Wirkowski TOR 18-3 4th - SAR - Corkey Duchene, 3-yard run (Davey convert) TOR 18-9 4th - TOR - Doug Smylie, 90-yard kickoff return TOR 23-9 4th - TOR - Ulysses Curtis run TOR 28-9 4th - TOR - Zeke O'Connor pass from Wirkowski (Ettinger convert) TOR 34-9 4th - SAR - Jack Glendenning, 75-yard pass from George Curtis (Davey convert) TOR 34-15
1953 GREY CUP (Saturday November 28th at Toronto - 27,313)
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (8-6) 12, WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (12-4) 6 - The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Winnipeg Blue Bombers squared off in the annual Canadian gridiron classic in 1953. In one of the thrilling finishes in Grey Cup history, the Ticats narrowly escaped Toronto’s Varsity Stadium with the victory. Trailing by six points in the game’s dying moments, Winnipeg’s Indian Jack Jacobs put together a 98-yard drive which ended on a play on the Hamilton two-yard line. Jacobs, with an all or nothing pass, threw to Tom Casey who was just short of the goal line. But as the ball reached his fingertips, Lou Kusserow came out of nowhere to make a crushing tackle to knock the ball loose. That ended the game, as the Tiger-Cats returned the Grey Cup trophy back to Hamilton for the first time in 10 years. Kusserow was supposed to cover Neill Armstrong on the game-ending play, but his gut told him to cover Casey instead. It turned out to be the right choice. The Ticats were fortunate he was still in the game as he injured his ribs in the second quarter on a hard tackle following an interception. Jacobs had a similar drive in the second quarter, moving the Bombers 92 yards on six plays, only to lose possession on an interception from Vito Ragazzo. Hamilton took a 6-0 lead in the opening quarter on a 53-yard drive. Ed Songin lunged across the goal line for the score. It remained that way until the third quarter. The Bombers advanced to the Hamilton 28 before Dick Brown made an interception to end the threat. Winnipeg moved down the field again, but Bud Korchak’s field goal attempt failed to put points on the scoreboard. The Bombers were finally able to reach pay dirt on a 50-yard drive. Gerry James went over from the Hamilton one-yard line for the touchdown. After the ensuing kickoff, it took Hamilton just three plays to recapture the lead. Kusserow passed to Ralph Toohy for 21 yards. After a loss of a yard, Ragazzo caught a 15-yard pass from Songin in the flat and sprinted 30 yards down the sidelines for the winning major. Winnipeg’s Geoff Crain gambled and went after the ball, allowing Ragazzo to spring free. The outcome was bitter sweet for Jacobs, who made up for his dismal showing in the 1950 Mud Bowl, but once again went home without the title.
HAMILTON - 6 0 6 0 - 12
WINNIPEG - 0 0 6 0 - 6
1st - HAM - Butch Songin, 1-yard run (Tip Logan convert) HAM 6-0 3rd - WIN - Gerry James, 1-yard run (Bud Korchak convert) TIED 6-6 3rd - HAM - Vito Ragazzo, 45-yard pass from Songin (Logan convert) HAM 12-6
Edmonton Journal (August 30th 1953)
Ottawa Citizen (September 7th 1953)
Ottawa Citizen (September 21st 1953)
Montreal Gazette (September 28th 1953)
Ottawa Citizen (September 28th 1953)
Regina Leader-Post (October 6th 1953)
Regina Leader-Post (October 13th 1953)
Ottawa Citizen (October 19th 1953)
Calgary Herald (October 20th 1953)
Ottawa Citizen (October 26th 1953)
Montreal Star (November 5th 1953)
Ottawa Citizen (November 16th 1953)
Montreal Gazette (November 16th 1953)
Edmonton Journal (November 16th 1953)
