Recap: Winnipeg 22, Saskatchewan 7
CFL.ca
Back at Ya: Nichols strong-arms Bombers in rematch
Posted: September 12,2015 09:30PM
Updated: September 13,2015 11:15AM
CFL.ca Staff
WINNIPEG – Matt Nichols passed for 283 yards in his debut and Khalil Bass took an interception back 60 yards as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers took the 2015 edition of the Banjo Bowl 22-7 over the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Nichols shined in the third quarter and finished the evening 21 of 30 for 283 yards and one interception.
The Riders came out on top just six days prior to earn their first win of the season, prompting changes in Bomber-land ahead of the rematch. In was Nichols under centre and gone was Special Teams Coordinator Pat Tracey.
Despite a slow start, the Bombers took over the contest in the second half on the strength of a strong defence and a more focused Nichols who fumbled twice in the first half and threw an interception.
Nichols’ first drive saw him complete passes to Darvin Adams and Julian Feoli-Gudino but were forced to punt after one first down.
A quick stop by the Bombers defence combined with a short punt by the Riders and Winnipeg looked poised to put the first points of the game on the board but the Riders defence would quickly force the first of three first-quarter takeaways.
Sending blitz, the Riders got to Nichols in the pocket and the Bombers pivot fumbled the football. A stalled Riders possession followed by a miscue by Bombers kicker Lirim Hajrullahu gave the Riders possession on the Winnipeg 26 yardline. Hajrullahu had fumbled the snap and was promptly wrapped up by WR Scott McHenry.
Brett Smith then went to work on a quick touchdown drive which was capped off by a lob pass to Rob Bagg in the back of the endzone. The Queens product made an athletic play, dragging his right foot as he stepped out of bounds.
After a missed convert but a punt single on the next drive, the Riders held a 7-0 lead as the first quarter came to a close.
Looking for a spark, the Blue Bombers looked to veteran Nick Moore to get the offence going. Nichols spotted the slotback over the middle and Moore turned up field for a 64-yard gain and deep into Saskatchewan territory. Two plays later however, the Riders defence came up with yet another turnover as DE Alex Hall stripped Nichols of the football as he escaped the pocket and DE John Chick was on the scene to pounce on the loose football on his own 15 yard line.
The Bombers were able to weather the storm though and get the ball back. Nichols then stung together three first downs, aided by an 8-yard scamper on second down, to set up 25-yard Harullahu field goal which cut the Riders lead to 7-3 with 2:33 remaining in the half.
As the third quarter began, the Bombers were able to put points on the board in their first possession. Nichols once again spotted Moore over the middle for a reception of 32 yards. A first down by RB Cameron Marshall after that set up a Harullahu field goal to cut the lead to 7-6.
The next Bombers possession saw Nichols complete passes to Moore and Rory Kohlert to set up a 22-yard Harullahu field goal but he missed it wide and the Bombers had to settle for a single point even though it tied the game at 7.
The next drive, however, the Bombers made no mistake. Nichols completed passes to Adams and Kohlert before spotting Feoli-Gudino over the middle. The second-year Bomber found a bust in the Riders coverage, hauled in the pass and broke a pair of tackles before spinning into the endzone to give Winnipeg their first lead of the game, 14-7 on the final play of the third quarter.
With their first lead of the game giving them some breathing room, the Blue Bombers defence stepped up their game on the ensuing three Riders drives. Depsite giving up two big runs to Smith and RB Jerome Messam, the Winnipeg front seven continued to flush the Riders pivot outside the pocket until they finally changed momentum in the game.
With just over 8 minutes left, Smith was being chased down and was hit while delivering the ball. The pigskin
sailed just a few yards before being intercepted by their standout
rookie linebacker in Bass who raced 60 yards untouched for the touchdown and expanded the Bombers lead to 21-7.
A punt single on the next posession increased the two-possessio lead for the Bombers leaving 1:30 on the clock the next time the Riders took over for the final time but Smith couldn't string together another score.
The Blue Bombers look to build off the win next week when they travel to Montreal to take on the Alouettes with potential early crossover implications at stake.
The Roughriders meanwhile, return home to host Henry Burris and the Ottawa REDBLACKS.
WINNIPEG – Matt Nichols passed for 283 yards in his debut and Khalil Bass took an interception back 60 yards as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers took the 2015 edition of the Banjo Bowl 22-7 over the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Nichols shined in the third quarter and finished the evening 21 of 30 for 283 yards and one interception.
The Riders came out on top just six days prior to earn their first win of the season, prompting changes in Bomber-land ahead of the rematch. In was Nichols under centre and gone was Special Teams Coordinator Pat Tracey.
Despite a slow start, the Bombers took over the contest in the second half on the strength of a strong defence and a more focused Nichols who fumbled twice in the first half and threw an interception.
Nichols’ first drive saw him complete passes to Darvin Adams and Julian Feoli-Gudino but were forced to punt after one first down.
A quick stop by the Bombers defence combined with a short punt by the Riders and Winnipeg looked poised to put the first points of the game on the board but the Riders defence would quickly force the first of three first-quarter takeaways.
Sending blitz, the Riders got to Nichols in the pocket and the Bombers pivot fumbled the football. A stalled Riders possession followed by a miscue by Bombers kicker Lirim Hajrullahu gave the Riders possession on the Winnipeg 26 yardline. Hajrullahu had fumbled the snap and was promptly wrapped up by WR Scott McHenry.
Brett Smith then went to work on a quick touchdown drive which was capped off by a lob pass to Rob Bagg in the back of the endzone. The Queens product made an athletic play, dragging his right foot as he stepped out of bounds.
After a missed convert but a punt single on the next drive, the Riders held a 7-0 lead as the first quarter came to a close.
Looking for a spark, the Blue Bombers looked to veteran Nick Moore to get the offence going. Nichols spotted the slotback over the middle and Moore turned up field for a 64-yard gain and deep into Saskatchewan territory. Two plays later however, the Riders defence came up with yet another turnover as DE Alex Hall stripped Nichols of the football as he escaped the pocket and DE John Chick was on the scene to pounce on the loose football on his own 15 yard line.
The Bombers were able to weather the storm though and get the ball back. Nichols then stung together three first downs, aided by an 8-yard scamper on second down, to set up 25-yard Harullahu field goal which cut the Riders lead to 7-3 with 2:33 remaining in the half.
As the third quarter began, the Bombers were able to put points on the board in their first possession. Nichols once again spotted Moore over the middle for a reception of 32 yards. A first down by RB Cameron Marshall after that set up a Harullahu field goal to cut the lead to 7-6.
| Blue Bombers defence rises up |
|---|
 Newcomer Jasper Simmons and DB Bruce Johnson were just some of the contributors on a Winnipeg Blue Bombers defence that held the Saskathcewan Roughriders to under 170 yards in total offence ... View Game Stats. |
The next Bombers possession saw Nichols complete passes to Moore and Rory Kohlert to set up a 22-yard Harullahu field goal but he missed it wide and the Bombers had to settle for a single point even though it tied the game at 7.
The next drive, however, the Bombers made no mistake. Nichols completed passes to Adams and Kohlert before spotting Feoli-Gudino over the middle. The second-year Bomber found a bust in the Riders coverage, hauled in the pass and broke a pair of tackles before spinning into the endzone to give Winnipeg their first lead of the game, 14-7 on the final play of the third quarter.
With their first lead of the game giving them some breathing room, the Blue Bombers defence stepped up their game on the ensuing three Riders drives. Depsite giving up two big runs to Smith and RB Jerome Messam, the Winnipeg front seven continued to flush the Riders pivot outside the pocket until they finally changed momentum in the game.
Video
Bass Pick-Six Turns Tables on Riders
A punt single on the next posession increased the two-possessio lead for the Bombers leaving 1:30 on the clock the next time the Riders took over for the final time but Smith couldn't string together another score.
The Blue Bombers look to build off the win next week when they travel to Montreal to take on the Alouettes with potential early crossover implications at stake.
The Roughriders meanwhile, return home to host Henry Burris and the Ottawa REDBLACKS.
Fan Comments
GoTi-Cats
It's early yet but Nichols may be the one to
give the Bombers a respectable 1-2 punch at qb. Saskatchewan is not as
bad as their record indicates so it isn't a walk in the park to play
them and the fact that Nichols did his part in the win after just 4
practices with new teammates is a good sign.
September 13, 2015 - 4:10pm
GC Bound
Well the Rider Defense was great at times and
overall played well enough to have kept the Riders in the game,
unfortunately, now there's no offense to put points on the board,
Also few questionable coaching decisions. Not throwing a flag for one on obvious interference by Winnipeg.
Well anyway, Decisions and player personel better being working for next season now!
Also few questionable coaching decisions. Not throwing a flag for one on obvious interference by Winnipeg.
Well anyway, Decisions and player personel better being working for next season now!
September 13, 2015 - 12:04pm
UnderDogFan
Several concerns I had over last nights
Bomber game. The reffing in particular. Two fumbles called back. I'm
sorry if a receiver turns around after catching a ball, he has
possession. Brett Smith stripped and fumbles, Bomber clearly lands on
it, called back (with no explanation given to the crowd) The deep pass
(I believe to Darvin Adams) that he caught, and was pushed out of bounds
while catching it, dont the rules state that if the player would land
in bounds if he wasnt pushed it counts as landing in bounds. All these
could have led to a higher scoring game, which is what this league
claims to be going for. What does it take to be a ref? Can I apply? this
website should start pushing advertising for refs so we can improve the
quality of ref by giving them competition by new people coming up. The
cfl has some good ref crews, and some atrocious ones. Also, is it
possible to get a better a faster crew at the cfl command centre? These
reviews are painfully long and the vast majority of the time most people
can see the correct call even with the limited angles we get. I know
this response will not be posted but a personal response would go a long
way to restoring some faith in the cfl.
September 13, 2015 - 11:28am
This Old Man
Nicholls 'shined' only ifit in reference to
an object. So I'm sure he shined - his helmet. As far as his
performance is concerned, he shone.
September 13, 2015 - 10:23am
Orange & Black
Way to go Bombers! 1-10 looks SO GOOD in Green & White!
September 13, 2015 - 4:26am
JustaFan52
@Orange you have to be the most negative
person I have ever come across on this site.....you need to worry about
your team they aren't doing that well either. BTW your jealousy is
becoming more and more evident..go crawl back under the bridge you came
out of,
September 13, 2015 - 9:10pm
Pat
Smith is learning too well from Kevin Glenn -
throwing interceptions at a bad time. Riders wont win another games
this year. Bet on it.
September 12, 2015 - 11:51pm
No comments:
Post a Comment