Menu
October 5, 2019

Quick Hits | WPG 6 SSK 21

Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Chris Streveler (17) scrambles during first half CFL action against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, in Regina on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Taylor

5 Quick Takes on the Bombers loss Saturday night at Mosaic Stadium:

1. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers quest for a home playoff game has taken another savage blow.

The Bombers dropped their third consecutive contest Saturday night in Regina in a 21-6 loss to the Roughriders that felt every bit like playoff football that thrilled the 31,080 fans in attendance.

The result leaves the Bombers in third place in the West Division at 9-6, two points behind the Riders – now 10-4 after winning nine of their last 10 – and behind the Calgary Stampeders, who fell to 9-5 after they dropped a 21-17 decision to the Alouettes in Montreal earlier in the day.


2. The loss spoiled what was an outstanding defensive effort by the Bombers, who – playing the game without defensive coordinator Richie Hall, who is away dealing with a personal matter – kept the visitors in this game despite losing the turnover battle 4-0.

The defence sacked QB Cody Fajardo four times, with Jake Thomas, Kyrie Wilson, Drake Nevis and Jackson Jeffcoat all getting in on the act.

The Bombers had defensive assistant James Stanley in the booth, along with injured linebacker Jesse Briggs. Calling the plays on the sideline were front seven coach Glen Young and defensive backs coach Jordan Younger.


3.  The Bombers were killed by three critical mistakes in the second half, all three which took a minimum of nine points off the board in what was primarily a defensive slugfest. First, Chris Streveler was sacked and fumbled on the Rider 24-yard line, he then saw a pass attempted for Nic Demski at the back of the end zone intercepted by Ed Gainey. And then with less than six minutes remaining Streveler had another attempt picked off at the goal line by L.J. McCray.


4. Other notable numbers:

  • Streveler finished the night 26 of 40 for 254 yards with no TDs and the two interceptions. Fajardo was 18 of 28 for 299 yards with a 61-yard TD strike to Shaq Evans with under three minutes remaining and no interceptions.
  • Andrew Harris finished with 67 yards rushing on 11 carries. He did leave the game late in the first half, but did return in the second.
  • Riders receiver Shaq Evans finished the night with seven catches for 193 yards and one TD and in the process went over the 1,000-yard mark.

5. The Bombers are home on Saturday, October 12th vs. the Alouettes in a game that is both Family Day and when the club’s two 2019 Hall of Fame inductees — cornerback Less Browne and Dr. Bert Longstaffe – will be saluted.