RECAP
NICHOLS LEADS BOMBERS TO BIG WIN IN EDMONTON
EDMONTON – Matt Nichols had Eskimos fans seeing green on Thursday evening, outdueling former teammate Mike Reilly en route to Winnipeg’s second victory of the 2016 season. The former Eskimo completed over 78 per cent of his passes for over 300 yards and a score in his first start of the year, leading the Blue Bombers to a 30-23 win.
Weston Dressler picked up right where he left off after a 12-catch performance in Week 5, making two key catches for 60 yards on the game-opening drive. Nichols had two chances to pound the ball into the end zone after a spectacular Dressler catch brought the Bombers to the one-yard-line, but it was Winnipeg native Andrew Harris who strolled in for the score on third down, his first as a Bomber, to give the visitors a lead just four minutes into the game.
Justin Medlock tacked on a single on the ensuing kickoff, and the Bombers took an early 8-0 lead.
Nichols continued his hot start later in the first, showing some mobility by avoiding a sack and throwing downfield to Darvin Adams on a naked bootleg. He wasn’t so lucky just a few plays later however, as he was levelled by DL Marcus Howard for a big loss. The Bombers would settle for a Medlock field goal, bringing their lead to 11-0 midway through the first quarter.
With just a few minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Edmonton skies opened up, and the game entered a weather delay.
If the Eskimos were banking on the delay having any effect on the rhythm of the Bombers offence, they were sorely disappointed, as Nichols and the Bomber offence continued to roll despite a 30-minute break.
Harris picked up 45 yards on three carries on the Bombers’ first drive following the delay, and Medlock booted home his second field goal of the night to extend Winnipeg’s lead to 14.
After another ineffective drive from Reilly and the Eskimos, Nichols again had no trouble moving the ball, putting Medlock in position for his third field goal of the night and a 17-0 Bombers lead.
The new-look Bombers offence led by Nichols was the story of the game’s first half, with Nichols posting an 80 per cent completion rate for over 200 yards. Harris led the way on the ground with 104 yards on 15 carries, while Dressler was on pace for another 12-catch night with six grabs for 111 yards in the half.
The half was a thoroughly one-sided affair, with the Bombers nearly doubling the Eskimos time of possession. Though much of the focus was on Winnipeg’s offensive success in the half, their defence was nearly as impressive, holding Reilly to just 121 yards through the air and allowing just one rushing yard.
The second half started on a low note for a Bombers, as they learned that Dressler would miss the rest of the game with a lower-body injury.
Medlock added his fourth field goal of the night on the Bombers first possession of the half, extending the away team’s lead to 17.
Just when it seemed that the game may be all Winnipeg, the Eskimo offence made an appearance. A 35-yard pass interference penalty on the Bomber defence brought Reilly and the Eskimos into Bomber territory, and a 20-yard completion to Chris Getzlaf put them on the doorstep. RB Calvin McCarty sealed the deal with a two-yard scamper to paydirt, and the Eskimos pulled back to within 10 points.
Edmonton’s optimism wouldn’t last long however, as it took Nichols just five plays to find his first touchdown of the game. With his favourite target out, Nichols instead turned to Adams, who he found wide open in the end zone for a 20-yard score to extend the Bombers’ lead to 17 points.
Reilly continued to find some offensive success on the next drive, but the Eskimos were forced to kick a field goal and still trailed 27-13 heading into the fourth quarter.
After the Edmonton defence forced a quick punt, Reilly got back to work and found Derel Walker for a big completion, putting the receiver over 100 receiving yards for the fourth time in 2016.
But once again the Bombers’ defence stood tall when it mattered most, forcing another Whyte field goal and preserving a two-score lead.
With the Eskimos in desperation mode, a Reilly pass intended for Derel Walker was snapped up by rookie DB Terrence Fredrick, erasing a positive Eskimos drive and putting the home team’s backs against the wall.
Despite long odds for a comeback, Reilly kept battling, finding Derel Walker for a touchdown with just 17 seconds remaining in the game. But the onside kick attempt was recovered by the Bombers, sealing Winnipeg’s first victory in Edmonton in 10 years.
Dressler and Adams both recorded over 100 yards receiving for the Bombers in the victory, while Walker led all receivers with 148 yards and a touchdown. Reilly racked up 346 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Following the big win, the Bombers will play host to the Tiger-Cats in week 7, who are fresh off a bye week following a stunning comeback victory over the Eskimos in Week 5.
The Eskimos will head east to Ontario, where they’ll look to get off a two-game skid against the East Division-leading REDBLACKS in the nation’s capital.
NICHOLS LEADS BOMBERS TO BIG WIN IN EDMONTON
EDMONTON – Matt Nichols had Eskimos fans seeing green on Thursday evening, outdueling former teammate Mike Reilly en route to Winnipeg’s second victory of the 2016 season. The former Eskimo completed over 78 per cent of his passes for over 300 yards and a score in his first start of the year, leading the Blue Bombers to a 30-23 win.
Weston Dressler picked up right where he left off after a 12-catch performance in Week 5, making two key catches for 60 yards on the game-opening drive. Nichols had two chances to pound the ball into the end zone after a spectacular Dressler catch brought the Bombers to the one-yard-line, but it was Winnipeg native Andrew Harris who strolled in for the score on third down, his first as a Bomber, to give the visitors a lead just four minutes into the game.
Justin Medlock tacked on a single on the ensuing kickoff, and the Bombers took an early 8-0 lead.
Nichols continued his hot start later in the first, showing some mobility by avoiding a sack and throwing downfield to Darvin Adams on a naked bootleg. He wasn’t so lucky just a few plays later however, as he was levelled by DL Marcus Howard for a big loss. The Bombers would settle for a Medlock field goal, bringing their lead to 11-0 midway through the first quarter.
With just a few minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Edmonton skies opened up, and the game entered a weather delay.
If the Eskimos were banking on the delay having any effect on the rhythm of the Bombers offence, they were sorely disappointed, as Nichols and the Bomber offence continued to roll despite a 30-minute break.
Harris picked up 45 yards on three carries on the Bombers’ first drive following the delay, and Medlock booted home his second field goal of the night to extend Winnipeg’s lead to 14.
After another ineffective drive from Reilly and the Eskimos, Nichols again had no trouble moving the ball, putting Medlock in position for his third field goal of the night and a 17-0 Bombers lead.
The new-look Bombers offence led by Nichols was the story of the game’s first half, with Nichols posting an 80 per cent completion rate for over 200 yards. Harris led the way on the ground with 104 yards on 15 carries, while Dressler was on pace for another 12-catch night with six grabs for 111 yards in the half.
The half was a thoroughly one-sided affair, with the Bombers nearly doubling the Eskimos time of possession. Though much of the focus was on Winnipeg’s offensive success in the half, their defence was nearly as impressive, holding Reilly to just 121 yards through the air and allowing just one rushing yard.
The second half started on a low note for a Bombers, as they learned that Dressler would miss the rest of the game with a lower-body injury.
Medlock added his fourth field goal of the night on the Bombers first possession of the half, extending the away team’s lead to 17.
Just when it seemed that the game may be all Winnipeg, the Eskimo offence made an appearance. A 35-yard pass interference penalty on the Bomber defence brought Reilly and the Eskimos into Bomber territory, and a 20-yard completion to Chris Getzlaf put them on the doorstep. RB Calvin McCarty sealed the deal with a two-yard scamper to paydirt, and the Eskimos pulled back to within 10 points.
Edmonton’s optimism wouldn’t last long however, as it took Nichols just five plays to find his first touchdown of the game. With his favourite target out, Nichols instead turned to Adams, who he found wide open in the end zone for a 20-yard score to extend the Bombers’ lead to 17 points.
Reilly continued to find some offensive success on the next drive, but the Eskimos were forced to kick a field goal and still trailed 27-13 heading into the fourth quarter.
After the Edmonton defence forced a quick punt, Reilly got back to work and found Derel Walker for a big completion, putting the receiver over 100 receiving yards for the fourth time in 2016.
But once again the Bombers’ defence stood tall when it mattered most, forcing another Whyte field goal and preserving a two-score lead.
With the Eskimos in desperation mode, a Reilly pass intended for Derel Walker was snapped up by rookie DB Terrence Fredrick, erasing a positive Eskimos drive and putting the home team’s backs against the wall.
Despite long odds for a comeback, Reilly kept battling, finding Derel Walker for a touchdown with just 17 seconds remaining in the game. But the onside kick attempt was recovered by the Bombers, sealing Winnipeg’s first victory in Edmonton in 10 years.
Dressler and Adams both recorded over 100 yards receiving for the Bombers in the victory, while Walker led all receivers with 148 yards and a touchdown. Reilly racked up 346 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Following the big win, the Bombers will play host to the Tiger-Cats in week 7, who are fresh off a bye week following a stunning comeback victory over the Eskimos in Week 5.
The Eskimos will head east to Ontario, where they’ll look to get off a two-game skid against the East Division-leading REDBLACKS in the nation’s capital.
