Bombers hit their stride against Lions

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This article was published 07/07/2018 (2870 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Following a string of uneven performances from an offence led by a rookie quarterback and head-banging outputs from what was supposed to be a much-improved defence, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers found their collective groove with their No. 1 guy Saturday.

Energized by the return of their leader, veteran quarterback Matt Nichols, the Blue and Gold put forth a dominating display in a 41-19 win over the B.C. Lions at Investors Group Field.

“It was a great game all-around,” said Bombers running back Andrew Harris after the game. “Matt played well, made some good throws and our receivers were able to come up with some great catches. Our defence was lights-out tonight.”

For the first time this season, Winnipeg, who improved to 2-2 with the victory, beat a team handily that wasn’t named the Montreal Alouettes, who are once again expected to finish at the bottom of the league standings. Even though the Lions – who drop to 1-2 with the loss after having a bye two weeks ago – didn’t look all that much better than the Als did in a 56-10 Bombers win in Week 2, they at least possessed the kind of weapons in their lineup that can hurt you.

Still, the game never seemed to be in doubt for the Bombers on this night.

It was the closest thing to a complete game against a sturdy opponent through the first month of the CFL season – an effort that included contributions from all three phases. Indeed, the Bombers looked every bit like the juggernaut they were projected to be this year.

Making his 2018 regular-season debut Saturday after missing the first three games with a knee injury he suffered late in training camp, Nichols lived up the heady expectations he set for himself when he returned to practice earlier this week.

Back just a month into a four-to-six week original diagnosis, Nichols was adamant earlier this week that he was at full health, despite having to wear a brace on his right leg, and said there were no excuses for him not to perform at top-level. His stat-line wasn’t eye-popping – he completed 55 percent of his passes (16-for-29) for 162 yards and one touchdown – but he certainly brought a calm to the huddle, as the Bombers finished with a modest 359 yards of total offence.

“We were moving the ball well, we were running the ball and making plays to move the chains. I thought we did some good things,” said Nichols. “For me personally I felt great, but I felt like I missed a few throws that I don’t usually miss. I guess that comes from not playing for a few weeks. Just continue to get better and make sure you’re better the next week.”

The Bombers’ air attack was complemented by a consistent ground-game, with running back Andrew Harris chewing up 109 yards on 12 carries. Harris registered one of the Bombers’ four touchdown drives on the night, with backup quarterback Chris Streveler, who had five carries for 33 yards and completed three passes for 45 yards after being relegated to No. 2 with the return of Nichols, accounting for two punch-in scores at the goal line.

Lions quarterback Jonathan Jennings, who entered the game with just two touchdowns through two games, had another poor effort Saturday and should be looking over his shoulder at backup Travis Lulay. Jennings finished 15-for-24 for 105 yards and two interceptions, swarmed by a relentless Bombers defence that has taken its share of criticism this year.

After losses to Edmonton and Hamilton this season, both of which included Winnipeg’s defence getting torched for at least 480 yards, the Bombers limited the Lions to just 279 yards Saturday. The one-two punch of running backs Jeremiah Johnson and Chris Rainey were also held mostly in check, though Johnson did finish with 80 yards and a touchdown. Rainey got just four touches, totalling 10 yards.

Perhaps the most encouraging sign for the Bombers defence was the three interceptions they finished with – a clue that they might be returning to that ball-hawking unit they’ve been known for in previous year.

Two interceptions came from first-year Bomber Adam Bighill, who signed with Winnipeg early in training camp after returning from the NFL. Bighill, who played six seasons for the Lions before jetting to the New Orleans Saints last year, put the nail in the coffin on his former team when he returned a ball 55 yards for the touchdown and a 38-13 lead.

By then the Bombers already seemed destined for victory. After falling behind 3-0 early, Winnipeg scored 28 straight points – all on touchdown drives – to take a 28-10 lead at halftime.

Nichols connected with Darvin Adams, who paced all Bombers receivers with three catches for 66 yards, on a 20-yard score late in the first quarter. Winnipeg then opened the second frame with a four-yard touchdown from Harris, who took a direct snap before punching the ball into the end zone.

The Bombers used the direct-snap formation with Harris on a number of occasions, including one play where he rumbled for 43 yards.

“That’s definitely a play we have in our toolbox and it was nice to have it called,” said Harris. “There are always opportunities to do those things and when they work out it’s a good thing.”

Harris’ 43-yard gain set the stage for Streveler’s first of back-to-back rushing touchdowns. His first came with just over eight minutes left in the second quarter to give Winnipeg a 21-3 lead, with the 23-year-old adding another with 3:52 left before halftime. A two-yard run by Johnson shortly after cut the Bombers lead to 28-10 through two quarters.

After exchanging field goals in the third quarter, it was the Bombers defence that took over in the final 15 minutes. Bighill’s interception for a touchdown was followed by another pick, this time from Chris Randle. Meanwhile, Kevin Fogg, who ended the night with eight punt returns for 114 yards, provided solid field position for Winnipeg down the stretch.

The Lions ended the game with a one-yard touchdown run by backup quarterback Cody Fajardo to round out the scoring. B.C. will surely be looking for revenge and won’t have to wait long as the two teams meet again next Saturday in Vancouver.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

twitter: @jeffkhamilton

Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer

Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University’s journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff.

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