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The top of Grey Cup trophy comes loose as Calgary Stampeders' linebacker Juwan Simpson hoists itJohn Lehmann/The Globe and Mail

What had the makings of another championship blowout turned out to be a nail-biting thriller as the Calgary Stampeders hung on to defeat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 20-16 to capture the 102nd Grey Cup title in Vancouver.

After building a 20-7 through three quarters, the Stampeders defence bent but did not break as the Tiger-Cats mounted a spirited fourth quarter comeback. Three times Hamilton threatened to punch the ball into the endzone and each time they had to settle for a Jason Medlock field goal.

Brandon Banks brought Ticats supporters to their feet with 35 seconds left when he returned a punt 90 yards for a TD, only to be nullified by an illegal block penalty. Instead of having the lead, Hamilton took over at its 12-yard line.

Bo Levi Mitchell completing 25-of-34 passes for 334 yards in his first career Grey Cup start and was named the game's outstanding player. At one point, Mitchell threw 10 straight completions, tying him for the third-longest streak in Grey Cup history before a boisterous B.C. Place Stadium gathering of 52,056 — 1,423 short of a sellout.

But the West Division champions needed two late defensive stands and some luck to secure the victory.

A Delvin Breaux interception put Hamilton at the Calgary 50-yard line. Quarterback Zach Collaros marched the offence to the three-yard line before the Stampeders' defence stiffened, resulting in Medlock's 17-yard field goal to pull within seven points. Hamilton regained possession at its 41-yard line with under four minutes remaining and marched to the Calgary 23. Cory Mace's sack stalled the drive and set up Medlock's 37-yard field goal to cut the Stampeders' lead to 20-16 with just over two minutes remaining.

Calgary earned its third straight win this season over Hamilton, which after a 1-6 start to the season rallied to a 9-9 mark to finish atop the East Division.

Tiger-Cats receiver Andy Fantuz of Chatham, Ont., was named the oustanding Canadian after making six catches for 81 yards in a losing effort.

Ticats quarterback Zach Collaros, also a Grey Cup rookie starter, threw for 282 yards and one touchdown as Hamilton's Grey Cup drought continued. Their last CFL championship coming in Vancouver in '99 when they beat the Stampeders 32-21. It's also the second straight Grey Cup loss for the Ticats, who lost 45-23 last year in Regina to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Files from The Canadian Press were used in this report

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