CFL 2005 in Review: Regular Season Part Two
Published on December 21, 2005 under Canadian Football League (CFL) News Release
Toronto, ON (December 21, 2005) - In celebration of the 2005 season, the CFL continues to revisit this past year to recapture some of the great moments from Labour Day Classic weekend through to the final regular season game in November.
September
Labour Day Classic - Once again, the Labour Day Classic weekend brought fans together to celebrate their true passion for the CFL and its most storied rivalries. The four Labour Day weekend games were played in front of sold-out crowds in Montreal, Saskatchewan, Hamilton and Calgary. In Hamilton, the Toronto Argonauts fell to the Tiger-Cats 33-30 in front of 29,600 fans. In the West Division, the Calgary Stampeders welcomed provincial rivals, the Edmonton Eskimos. The Eskimos defeated the Stamps 25-23 in front of 35,652 fans.
Ireland Joins 500 Club - Referee John "Jake" Ireland called his 500th CFL game on Friday, September 2 in the Labour Day Classic contest between the Ottawa Renegades and the Montreal Alouettes at Percival Molson Stadium.
Stegall Catches CFL Record - Winnipeg slotback Milt Stegall broke the all-time record for most receiving touchdowns in a career. Stegall's two touchdown receptions against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Labour Day Classic weekend gave the veteran receiver 119 career receiving TDs, surpassing Allen Pitts' mark of 117. Stegall currently has 126 career receiving TDs.
Labour Day on TSN Draws Record Viewers - The Labour Day Classic broadcast by TSN between the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats drew record numbers. Average audience for the game was 791,000 viewers and the broadcast peaked at 1.25 million viewers, both TSN records for CFL broadcasts.
WestJet Fan Draft - The CFL and WestJet, the âOfficial Airline of the CFL', extended their partnership and teamed-up to bring CFL fans the first ever WestJet Fan Draft. Through the interactive promotion, 40 CFL fans and 40 guests traveled to the Scotiabank Championships and 20 CFL fans and 20 guests traveled to the 93rd Grey Cup to celebrate their favourite team's playoff destiny.
Rogers CFL Players of the Week - Week 11: Kenton Keith (Offence), John Grace (Defence), James Cotton (Lineman), Corey Holmes (Special Teams) Week 12: Ryan Thelwell (Offence), Barron Miles (Defence), Jonathan Brown (Lineman), Aaron Lockett (Special Teams) Week 13: Dave Dickenson (Offence), Omarr Morgan (Defence), Gavin Walls (Lineman), Terrence Wilkins (Special Teams) Week 14: Joffrey Reynolds (Offence), Singor Mobley (Defence), Joe Montford (Lineman), Tony Tompkins (Special Teams)
Rogers CFL Players of the Month - Dave Dickenson (Offence), John Grace (Defence), Jonathan Brown (Lineman), Terrence Wilkins (Special Teams)
Trades & Transactions - (Sept. 28) - The Ottawa Renegades acquired veteran linebacker Donnavan Carter from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in exchange for Ottawa's fourth round pick in the 2006 CFL Canadian College Draft.
(Sept. 30) - The Montreal Alouettes acquired defensive back Ricky Bell from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in exchange for linebacker Ryan Folk.
October
2005 Canadian Football Hall of Fame Inductees - The 2005 class of inductees included Rod Connop, Ed George, Ray Nettles, Willie Pless and builder Gord Currie.
93rd Grey Cup Sell-Out - More than seven weeks prior to kickoff, the CFL announced a sell-out for the 2005 Grey Cup. The 2005 Grey Cup boasted a crowd of 59,157 at BC Place on November 27th, 2005.
Stegall has Golden Performance on Thanksgiving - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Milt Stegall connected with quarterback Kevin Glenn four times for 234 yards and four touchdowns.
Stegall finished the 2005 season with 17 touchdowns, bringing his career total to 129, just nine touchdowns shy of setting a new CFL all-time record in career touchdowns. During Grey Cup week, the 11-year veteran announced his plans to return to the CFL for a 12th season.
Holiday Inn Announced as CFL's Official Business Hotel - InterContinental Hotels Group Canada was announced as a new CFL partner, establishing Holiday Inn® hotels as the CFL's Official Business Hotel during the 2005 season.
Corus Announced as Radio Rights Broadcaster for Grey Cup - The CFL signed a two-year programming agreement with Corus Entertainment's Radio division to broadcast the Grey Cup championship game across Canada in 2005 and 2006.
Ryan Sets New Benchmark for Punting Average - Jon Ryan of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers set a new record for the highest single season punting average. Ryan averaged 50.6 yards per punt in 2005, surpassing Lui Passaglia's mark of 50.2 set in 1983.
First Time Since 1997 - The Toronto Argonauts clinched first place in the East Division for the first time since 1997 with its victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 34-11. The Argos finished the campaign with an 11-7 record.
Wendy's Kick For a Million - During a halftime show televised nationally on TSN, Ontario-born Brian Diesbourg won $1 million by kicking a 50-yard field goal in the Wendy's Kick for a Million promotion at Rogers Centre on October 27.
Rogers CFL Players of the Week - Week 15: Craig Yeast (Offence), Jackie Mitchell (Defence), Fred Perry (Lineman), Kahlil Hill (Special Teams) Week 16: Milt Stegall (Offence), Reggie Durden (Defence), Gavin Walls (Lineman), Tony Tompkins (Special Teams) Week 17: Anthony Calvillo (Offence), George White (Defence), Gavin Walls (Lineman), Sean Fleming (Special Teams) Week 18: Damon Allen (Offence), George White (Defence), Anthony Collier (Lineman), Sandro DeAngelis (Special Teams) Week 19: Jeff Johnson (Offence), Brian Clark (Defence), Anthony Collier (Lineman), Sean Fleming (Special Teams)
Rogers CFL Players of the Month - Damon Allen (Offence), George White (Defence), Anthony Collier (Lineman), Sean Fleming (Special Teams)
Trades & Transactions - (Oct. 2) - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers traded safety Wes Lysack to the Calgary Stampeders in exchange for defensive back Anthony Malbrough and future considerations.
(Oct. 5) - The Hamilton Tiger-Cats traded offensive lineman Don Comiskey and running back Troy Davis to the Edmonton Eskimos in exchange for receiver Brock Ralph, defensive back Tay Cody and Edmonton's first round selection in the 2006 CFL Canadian College Draft.
(Oct. 18) - The BC Lions acquired defensive back James Whitley from the Montreal Alouettes in exchange for a 2006 draft pick.
(Oct. 18) - The Calgary Stampeders re-signed General Manager Jim Barker to a multi-year contract.
November
Crysdale Hangs Up the Cleats - After 13 seasons in the CFL and 210 consecutive games played, Calgary's offensive lineman Jamie Crysdale announced his retirement. The native of Mississauga, Ontario was honoured at halftime during the last game of the season played against the Edmonton Eskimos at McMahon Stadium on November 6.
Joseph Joins Elite Company - Ottawa Renegades' Kerry Joseph became the third quarterback in CFL history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a single season, joining Tracy Ham and Damon Allen.
Dickenson's Efficiency Lands Record - The BC Lions' Dave Dickenson completed the 2005 regular season with a passing efficiency rating of 118.8, setting a new CFL record and surpassing Casey Printers (115) set in 2004.
Ray Sets New Completion Record - Edmonton's Ricky Ray completed 479 passes this season, setting a new League record for the most pass completions in a regular season. The product of Sacramento State surpassed Doug Flutie's mark of 466 completions set in 1991 as a member of the BC Lions.
East Division Final Standings - Toronto Argonauts (11-7), Montreal Alouettes (10-8), Ottawa Renegades (7-11), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (5-13)
West Division Final Standings - BC Lions (12-6), Calgary Stampeders (11-7), Edmonton Eskimos (11-7), Saskatchewan Roughriders (9-9), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5-13).
Next Up...CFL 2005 in Review: A look back at the post-season and Grey Cup!
Canadian Football League Stories from December 21, 2005
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
