A 1-yard touchdown run from backup quarterback Cody Fajardo with 23 seconds left helped the Toronto Argonauts avoid an epic collapse in the East Final, instead defeating the Saskatchewan Roughriders 25-21 to advance to the Grey Cup.
The Double Blue held an 18-3 edge at halftime, then watched Saskatchewan rattle off 18 straight points after the break. The visitors had a three-point advantage down the stretch, but failed to hold on at the end.
Led by veteran quarterback Ricky Ray, the Argos embarked on a game-defining drive with 2:37 remaining in the fourth quarter. Fajardo punched in the deciding score on a sneak from the goal line.
Ray was excellent from the pocket for most of the chilly afternoon in Toronto, as he finished the contest 28-of-39 for 266 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
The Roughriders' passing game struggled to keep up. Brandon Bridge and Kevin Glenn combined to go 17-of-34 for 228 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.
The tightly contested affair didn't see a single 100-yard rusher or 100-yard receiver, though Saskatchewan's Duron Carter posted 99 receiving yards with a touchdown.
The win sends the Argos to the Grey Cup for the first time since they won it in 2012.
The championship game will take place Nov. 26 in Ottawa.