Bombers D dominates in 30-3 win over Edmonton

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This article was published 07/10/2021 (1177 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A week after the offence stole the show in a beatdown of the B.C. Lions, it was back to regular scheduled programming for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. 

If you’ve watched the Bombers at all this season, you’re aware of their dominating defence. That defence was back at it again Friday, suffocating the Edmonton Elks in a 30-3 win in front of a spirited crowd of 27,388 at IG Field. 

The defence set the tone throughout the evening, stalling Elks drive after Elks drive, forcing five turnovers, with another three series ending in a safety.

Edmonton entered the game averaging the second-most offence, with 386 yards per game, first in passing yards (294) and second in rushing yards (110). Winnipeg’s defence, however, was averaging a CFL-best 13.4 points against per game.

By the end of Friday night, they would allow Edmonton only a field goal, limiting the Elks to just 159 yards of offence and 11 first downs. The Bombers also dominated time of possession, 36:39 to 23:21.

“I see the way the guys work. I see the way we practise. I see the way we don’t take things for granted. I see everyone with a humbled attitude coming in to get better and playing for each other,” linebacker Adam Bighill said after the game. “If you’re watching the tape that’s what you’re going to see, you’re going to see we’re not giving anyone anything, you’re going to have to come in and earn it.”

The Bombers extended their win streak to six games, improving their overall record to 8-1 and tightening the grip on first place in the West Division. The Elks have now lost four in a row, dropping to 2-6, and remain in the division’s basement.

The Bombers registered an impressive 223 yards of offence in the opening half, but mustered only one drive that resulted in points.

Zach Collaros, who finished 16-of-27 passing for 207 yards, one touchdown and one interception, put together a nine-play, 42-yard series that ended with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Nic Demski with just minutes remaining in the first quarter. The drive was aided by a defensive pass interference call that advanced the ball 26 yards, as well as passes to Darvin Adams (10 yards) and Rasheed Bailey (nine yards).

The defence was relentless throughout the first two quarters, forcing two safeties and five punts, including three two-and-outs.

The Bombers held an 11-3 lead at halftime but Winnipeg left a handful of points off the board thanks to questionable play calling and some sloppy play.

“We came in at halftime and offensively we weren’t really pleased with how we were playing,” said running back Andrew Harris, who finished with 24 rushes for 150 yards and two touchdowns. “We definitely left some things out there and obviously our defence has been lights out all year. Our standard is very high, and when we watch the film tomorrow we’re going to see where we can be better.”

It was a much different game compared to a week ago when the Bombers put up 508 yards of offence, including 417 through the air.

After forcing an Elks two-and-out on the game’s opening drive, the Bombers took great field position, starting the series on Edmonton’s 46, and moved the ball to just steps from the end zone. On first-and-goal from the three-yard line, a Harris run would advance the ball a yard. Winnipeg countered with two straight quarterback sneaks by No. 2 pivot Sean McGuire, but Edmonton stood tall, forcing a turnover on downs. On the ensuing drive, Edmonton surrendered a safety.

The Bombers entered the game converting 12 of 13 attempts at third-and-short through the first eight games.

Two series later, Collaros was intercepted in the end zone on second-and-goal from the Edmonton nine-yard line. Elks safety Jordan Hoover returned the ball 70 yards, eventually leading to a 32-yard field goal and, ultimately, a 10-point swing.

At that point in the game, midway through the second quarter, the Elks had yet to complete a pass, earn a first down or advance past their own 29-yard-line. They would finish the half with four first downs and 74 net yards on offence, with just 50 passing yards.

A couple drives after that, Winnipeg was second-and-short at midfield, and with the short-yardage offence in once again, the Bombers opted to dig into their bag of tricks. McGuire would fake the run and attempt a pass; under pressure, he delivered a desperate attempt downfield and the ball appeared to be intercepted. The call was later reversed to an incompletion and Winnipeg opted to punt.

Finally, Bombers kicker Ali Mourtada sailed a 42-yard field-goal attempt wide left to close out the half.

Edmonton was unable to seize any momentum from the Bombers mishaps through the first two quarters. They would open the third quarter with the ball and move it to midfield before the drive ultimately stalled.

What followed was a blocked punt by linebacker Jesse Briggs, with Winnipeg taking over the ball at Edmonton’s 32. The Bombers couldn’t take advantage of the strong field position, though, settling for a 24-yard field goal from Mourtada.

A similar theme of the Bombers offence stumbling and the defence picking up the slack continued for the rest of the game.

Mourtada missed back-to-back field goal attempts on back-to-back drives, sailing wide kicks from 47 and 46 yards, respectively, with one boot resulting in a single point.

The defence pressured Edmonton into a third safety, and then followed up that up with forcing a turnover on downs on the Elks next two drives. By the second turnover, Edmonton quarterback Trevor Harris was sidelined in favour of No. 2 Taylor Cornelius.

“Running out of adjectives but you look at these games, they just keep on going, right?” Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said about the play of the defence. “They’re certainly not watching themselves play. They’re just getting out there and playing.”

Just when the Bombers needed a cushion, the offence got back on the board, this time with a 15-yard rushing touchdown by Harris. The run capped off a five-play, 52-yard drive that took nearly four minutes off the clock.

Not done there, Harris added a second touchdown on the Bombers next drive, punching in a two-yard score to cap off a four-play, 42-yard drive.

In fitting fashion, the game would be iced on the next drive with an interception by Deaundre Alford — the Bombers fifth turnover.

Winnipeg and Edmonton meet again next week, Friday at Commonwealth Stadium, for a third and final time. The Bombers will look to sweep the season series after winning the first two games.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

twitter: @jeffkhamilton