Jason Halstead/CFL.ca
WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers offence was dominant on Friday night, leading the charge in a 29-9 victory over the Ottawa REDBLACKS.
The run and pass game were equally impressive, with the Bombers racking up 361 passing yards and another 192 yards on the ground. Winnipeg’s 521 yards of net offence against the REDBLACKS was their second highest output this season. What is even more impressive is that they accomplished the feat under extremely wet and windy conditions.
“I think it stems from being rested from the bye week,” head coach Mike O’Shea replied when asked about the offensive performance. “Guys came back really wanting to be back at work, if you call it that. They wanted to be back on the field with their teammates. Very focused through the week I thought. They didn’t take anything for granted and they didn’t take this team lightly.”
Darvin Adams led all receivers with an astounding 195 yards and a touchdown on seven catches. In the words of O’Shea; “Darvin was spot on tonight.”
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» Stats: REDBLACKS, Bombers Box Score
» Images: OTT at WPG
Darvin Adams surpassed the 100 yard receiving mark on Friday for the first time this season (CFL/Jason Halstead)
Running backs Andrew Harris and Timothy Flanders both made the most of their opportunities when they got touches on the ball. The dynamic duo split the run game and added a one-two punch on the ground. Harris ran for 83 yards including a rushing major while Flanders added 55 yards and a receiving touchdown.
“I thought it was excellent,” O’Shea responded when asked about the run game. “You have to give credit to the offensive line too, but I thought Andrew was hitting it hard and I thought Timothy made some yards when it didn’t look like there were yards there. He made guys miss. Both guys were on point tonight. They’re both extremely good football players.”
The victory was the Bombers’ fifth straight at home. Winnipeg has struggled to put up wins at Investors Group Field in previous years, but have now established their home turf as a tough place for opponents to play. O’Shea says he is not sure of the reasoning behind the shift.
“I wish I could pin point what that was or why it’s changed,” said O’Shea. “I’ve always said, even when we started here, I believe our players respect the fan base here. They know they’ve got a great group of fans that show up. The conditions today were not great, but when the fans needed to be loud, they were loud… for the fans that stuck around, it was unbelievable.”
– With files from BlueBombers.com
