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Grey Cup showdown between Mitchell and Collaros ushers in new era of young star quarterbacks
VANCOUVER – For just the sixth time in the last 25 years, the Grey Cup features two quarterbacks starting in their first title game. On Sunday it will be Calgary’s Bo Levi Mitchell and Hamilton’s Zach Collaros under centre, ushering in what should be a new era of young quarterback stars in the CFL.
One of Mitchell, 24, or Collaros, 26, will be a Grey Cup champion and perhaps the new face of the league as the CFL’s former quarterback stars age and move toward retirement. Last year Anthony Calvillo retired after a 20-year Hall of Fame career. Henry Burris is 39 years old and will be entering his 18th season next year. Ricky Ray is still playing at a very high level but will be 36 next season.
It all means the 102nd Grey Cup is something of a changing of the guard at quarterback. And both Mitchell and Collaros are worthy of the star turn to come.
Mitchell, a Texan who played at Eastern Washington, is in his third CFL season but first as a full-time starter. He is 16-2 as a starter, including last week’s playoff win, which is tied for the best record to start a CFL career. His 22 touchdown passes were second most in the league this season, and his eight interceptions were the fewest among regular starters.
“He’s a quarterback that has demonstrated terrific poise,” said Stampeders head coach John Huffnagel. “He’s a young quarterback, like Zach. They’re both winning quarterbacks. When plays need to be made, they both make plays. That’s what you want from your quarterback.”
Despite getting his first start, Mitchell does actually have some Grey Cup experience. In 2012, in a Stampeders loss to the Argonauts, he took over on Calgary’s final possession and went 6-of-9 for 80 yards and a touchdown. He’s ready for the big stage.
“When you play the game for so long it’s hard to make a big deal out of it,” Mitchell said. “I’ve seen guys throw up before the game because they’re so excited. But for me it’s just my job.”
Collaros is in his first season with the Tiger-Cats and his first as a full-time starter. He got a chance to start seven games in 2013 with the Argos when Ray was injured. He signed as a free agent with the Ticats during the offseason. An Ohio native who played collegiately at Cincinnati, Collaros was second in the CFL in completion percentage this year and the Ticats were 9-5 in games he started. They went 1-4 without him.
“ He plays with poise and confidence. Doesn’t get rattled,” Tiger-Cats coach Kent Austin said. “He’ll make you pay for mistakes. The guys have confidence in him.”
The Tiger-Cats, of course, are playing in the Grey Cup for the second year in a row. They lost to the Saskatchewan Roughriders last year with Henry Burris at quarterback. Collaros has the added pressure of trying to lead Hamilton to its first Grey Cup win since 1999.
“I wasn’t around for that [losing] experience last year,” Collaros said. “But I’ve seen a great level of focus, especially since Labour Day. We’re ready to play. It’s been a relaxed week. It’s an important game, it’s for all the marbesl. But we’re just facing the Stampeders – it’s not like they’re going to be superheroes all of a sudden. We’re all football players.
“I like to think we’re a team of destiny. We’ve been the underdogs for the last couple weeks. But that’s why you play the game.”
The quarterbacks are aware of each other’s week and Mitchell was quick to heap praise on Collaros.
“Zach did a great job, and took full advantage when he got a chance to play,” Mitchell said. “He’s a competitor, I like how he plays. You’re seeing a lot of young guys come in to the league now. Over the last 15, 20 years there’s been [the same] four or five guys. At some point that has to end, somebody else has to take over.”
No matter who comes out on top on Sunday, the CFL can be confident that a new breed of young stars is emerging.
“It’s going to be a hard fought game,” Mitchell said. “Some people are going to walk away hurt, some are going to walk away happy.
“I think about the other team holding the trophy. That wakes me up and motivates me. We don’t have it yet.”
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