Temple University Athletics
Owl Alum Henry Burris Leads Calgary Stampeders to Grey Cup
11.24.08 | Football
Nov. 24, 2008
PHILADELPHIA - Former Temple quarterback Henry Burris [1993-96] led the Calgary Stampeders to the 2008 Canadian Football League championship with a 22-14 win over the Montreal Alouettes to claim the 96th Grey Cup on Sunday evening at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.
A native of Spiro, Okla., the 33-year-old Burris was named the game's most outstanding player after throwing for 328 yards and a touchdown. He also led all rushers with 79 yards on nine carries.
"There aren't words to describe how this feels right now," Burris said. "This team has gone through so much adversity and grown so much throughout the season that it makes this even sweeter."
The Grey Cup is Calgary's sixth and first since 2001. The Stampeders also won in 1948, 1971, 1992, 1998, and 2001.
"Henry has made plays with his legs against Montreal during the regular season, and it was definitely part of the game plan," said Stampeders' head coach John Hufnagel. "We struggled offensively in the first half, it wasn't as much as not being able to complete passes. We just weren't getting enough yards to get first downs. All along we wanted to get the running game involved and Henry Burris in the QB position was a big part of the running game."
A team captain as a senior for Temple in 1996, Burris earned second-team All-Big East honors as a sophomore in 1994. He twice was named the Big East Player of the Week during his senior season. Burris holds every major passing record at Temple, including attempts (1,136), completions (558), yardage (7,495), and touchdowns (49) in a career. He is the only Owl quarterback to throw for more than 400 yards with his 445-yard, three touchdown performance against Pittsburgh (10/5/96).
Some information supplied by the Calgary Stampeders website.
