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September 29, 2018

Game Recap | WPG 30 EDM 3

Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Drake Nevis (92) celebrates a quarterback sack on the Edmonton Eskimos with teammates Jovan Santos-Knox (45), Anthony Gaitor (23) and Gerald Rivers (56) during second half CFL action in Edmonton, Alta., on Saturday September 29, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Amber Bracken


EDMONTON – They spoke loudly and clearly, with passion and conviction.

Yes, as far as ‘statement games’ go, what the Winnipeg Blue Bombers authored Friday night certainly featured big, bold, capital letters and was punctuated with a long string of exclamation marks.

The Bombers served up their most complete game of the season in the Alberta capital, pounding the Edmonton Eskimos 30-3 in a thorough beatdown witnessed by 28,788 at Commonwealth Stadium.

The result is massive for the Bombers for a few reasons, not the least of which is it improves the club to 7-7 with their second consecutive win. Just as important, they have now tied the Eskimos in the standings and evened the season series at 1-1, with the two clubs scheduled to meet again in the regular season finale back here in Edmonton on November 3rd. The added bonus Saturday was the Hamilton Tiger-Cats mauling the B.C. Lions 40-10, meaning the Bombers have moved into a tie for third in the West Division but are also now two points up on the Leos.

While the performance featured contributions from all three phases, it was the work of the defence that defined Saturday night, as that unit shut down the Eskimos high-powered attack by sacking Mike Reilly four times, intercepting him twice – including a Pick-6 by Kevin Fogg – and limiting them to just 264 yards net offence.

“Our defence played phenomenal from the jump,” said quarterback Matt Nichols. “A full, complimentary football game. Right off the bat we got a stop on defence, blocked a punt and from there just kept it rolling in all three phases. The defence did a great job of taking the ball away, not giving up any big plays… it was an unbelievable effort by them.”

The Bombers defensive dozen did what few defences do in this league by making Reilly look extremely uncomfortable in the pocket as he faced an onslaught of blitzes from a variety of different looks. Indeed, a man who has seven 300-yard passing efforts this season was limited to just 164 through the air – with the longest being just 26 yards – as he completed just 17 of 31 on the night.

“They are the most explosive team in the game right now and arguably the best offence,” said linebacker Adam Bighill. “It was fun. It was a good sign of what we can be as a defence when we all decide to do our jobs and be consistent. That’s when you’re having lots of fun out there. You could see the energy. Everyone was having fun taking their turns making plays. That’s the way it should be.”

It should be said this is the continuation of recent work by the Bombers defence, not a blip. Over the last three games the Bombers have surrendered just one offensive touchdown – a two-yard run by Montreal’s Anthony Pipkin in last week’s win.

And as much as defensive coordinator Richie Hall has played the pin cushion in these parts over the last few years, the gameplan put together against the Esks was brilliant. So, too, was the execution.

“They were extremely focused and I think they showed a belief in the plan because the level they executed that,” said head coach Mike O’Shea. “And I think that’s going to pay dividends when they watch the film and see that level of execution and their understanding of what we want them to do. That should cement that focus, hopefully, going forward.”

The Bombers offence managed just 239 yards, but was effective in capitalizing on the work of the special teas and defence – Winnipeg generated 20 points on seven Eskimos turnovers.

Count Fogg among the many who stood out for the Bombers defence as, in addition to the interception return for a touchdown, he also forced a fumble, had a fumble recovery and also added 24 yards on a lateral after a Taylor Loffler pick.

“It’s a team effort,” said Fogg. “We were all doing our job. We were all making things happen. Our defensive line was getting after Reilly, our DBs were in coverage and our linebackers were getting to Reilly as well. When we’re all on, that’s the kind of stuff that can happen. We just have to capitalize on the plays.”

The Bombers are on the road again next week with a trip to Ottawa to face the REDBLACKS. And what the last two weeks has done is feed the long-held belief in the Bombers locker room they can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the CFL, even if their record hadn’t necessarily suggested that.

“Football is one of the biggest momentum sports there is and momentum carries over from game to game,” said Nichols. “When you’ve got good momentum going you’ve got to be able to sustain it and when there’s bad momentum going for your team you’ve got to be able to stop it in its tracks. I think we’ve done both of that in the last couple of weeks. It’s a mindset that you feel good about this one for a day or two, but we still have a lot to do. If you lose next weekend and the other West teams win then you’re right back where you started.”


THE BIG STAT

7/20: Turnovers forced by the Bombersthree fumbles, three interceptions and once on downs – and the points generated off those Eskimos mistakes. The Bombers are now 7-0 this year when winning the turnover ratio.

FYI

The Bombers two inactives were SB Nic Demski and WR Corey Washington… With Demski out, Daniel Petermann made his first CFL start at WR, with Drew Wolitarsky moving inside to slotback… Petermann finished with two catches for 27 yards; Wolitarsky had four for 51.

NUMBERS GAME

2-5: The Bombers record now against the West Divison after Friday’s win.

3: Consecutive wins in Edmonton for Winnipeg, dating back to 2016.

37: Receiving yards by Edmonton’s Duke Williams, who injured his shoulder late in the game. Williams had been averaging 100 yards per game.

97: Interception return yards for Kevin Fogg – 73 on his Pick-6; 24 more on a lateral after Taylor Loffler’s interception.

9: Tackles by Adam Bighill, to lead all players.

4: Sacks by the Bombers defence; two by Jovan Santos-Knox with one each from Drake Nevis and Craig Roh