Bob Irving
CFL.ca
If you are going to end a losing streak, you might as well do it in spectacular fashion, and that’s exactly what the Winnipeg Blue Bombers did on Sunday, crushing the Saskatchewan Roughriders 31-2 in the 7th edition of the Banjo Bowl.
The Bombers set the tone by putting together a seven play, 66-yard touchdown drive on their first offensive possession, and never looked back. Fred Reid had a huge game, rushing for 148 yards and two touchdowns, including a 61-yard touchdown romp early in the second quarter that put the Bombers in front 17-0.
Receiver Chris Davis had his best game as a Bomber, hauling in six passes for 88 yards while quarterback Steven Jyles was an efficient 19 of 23 passing for 169 yards and one touchdown.
Defensively, the Bombers pitched a near shutout, allowing only a pair of punt singles by Eddie Johnson, limiting the Riders to a measly 180 yards of net offence. They consistently pressured Saskatchewan quarterback Darian Durant, and held Riders running back Wes Cates to just 18 yards rushing on eight carries.
The Bombers also caught a few breaks, something that wasn’t happening during their five game losing streak. Saskatchewan intercepted a pair of Jyles passes, but both picks were wiped out by Rider penalties. And Roughrider kick returner Dominique Dorsey repeatedly messed up on kick returns costing his team valuable field position.
It was interesting to watch Blue Bomber GM and VP of Football Operations Joe Mack as he went down to the sideline near the end of the game to shake hands and share hugs with many of his players. Mack had never done that before.
He is typically a behind-the-scenes guy, he shuns the limelight and is more than happy to allow coach Paul Lapolice and the players get all the attention. But he is also an emotional competitor who had more than a few sleepless nights during the losing streak.
Sunday’s big win provided a much-needed release for Mack and the entire Blue Bomber organization. Mack has never wavered in his belief that the Bombers were on the right track with their coaching philosophy and their player personnel decisions. And he was rewarded with the big win over Saskatchewan.
As usual, veteran defensive tackle Doug Brown put things in the proper perspective though. Brown said the win was special and worth celebrating. However, it was just ONE win, and now the Bombers have to go into Toronto on Sunday and defeat the Argos to prove they have turned the corner and can be a factor down the stretch of the CFL season.
Winnipeg will take a 3-7 record into Rogers Centre against the 5-5 Argos. A win there would really represent a turn-around of the Bomber season.
