The Canadian Press
EDMONTON — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers came out on top with a 34-28 road win against the Edmonton Eskimos on Friday night, improving their record to 8-2 while being the first team to score 30 points against the Esks this season.
A 46-yard pick-six from defensive back Marcus Rios and a two-yard rushing touchdown from Andrew Harris helped give the Bombers a 20-9 lead going into half-time, but seven field goals from kicker Sean Whyte kept Edmonton close throughout the game, with Whyte cutting the Bombers’ lead down to just five points with under ten minutes to play in the fourth quarter.
Chris Streveler led Winnipeg’s offence down the field late in the fourth quarter before capping off the drive with a six-yard touchdown run, but Trevor Harris gave Edmonton renewed life with a minute left after connecting with receiver Tevaun Smith for a 75-yard touchdown. Justin Medlock hit a 50-yard field goal in the final minute to help seal the victory for Winnipeg.
Defensive end Willie Jefferson led the way by forcing two fumbles and recording three sacks for the Bombers, bringing his season sack total to eight. Jefferson also helped prevent an onside kick recovery from the Esks in the final minute.
Streveler had a big game on the ground with 14 carries for 95 yards, while Medlock made all four of his field goal attempts for the Bombers, including two 50-yard kicks.
Harris continued his strong rushing season for Winnipeg, carrying the ball 13 times for 89 yards. Harris improved his league-leading rushing total to 908 yards.
DaVaris Daniels had another standout performance for Edmonton, racking up five catches for 142 yards in the first half alone. Daniels finished the game with 10 catches on 13 targets for 207 yards
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Trevor Harris and Daniels continued their chemistry from last week by connecting on a 41-yard pass on the Esks’ opening drive, but Winnipeg’s defence played tight coverage to force a 20-yard field goal from Whyte.
Andrew Harris broke free for a 36-yard run on his first carry of the game, helping set up a 28-yard field goal from Medlock to even the score. The Bombers gained momentum after that when Jefferson knocked the ball out of the grasp of Trevor Harris as the quarterback set up to throw, and linebacker Kyrie Wilson recovered the fumble for Winnipeg.
But momentum swung back the other way when defensive tackle Almondo Sewell stripped the ball from Andrew Harris as the Bombers’ offence moved into scoring position, with safety Jordan Hoover recovering the ball for Edmonton. Trevor Harris began to move the Esks’ offence by finding Daniels down the field again for a 32-yard pass, but Winnipeg’s overwhelming defensive pressure continued to create major issues when defensive end Alex McCalister tipped a Harris pass and Rios made the diving interception.
Rios returned the pick 46 yards to reach the end zone for the touchdown, and Medlock added the extra point to give the Bombers a 10-3 lead heading into the second quarter.
Harris bounced back from the interception to throw a 54-yard strike to Daniels deep down the field, but Edmonton had to settle for a field goal once again after another solid defensive stop from Winnipeg. Whyte made the 37-yard field goal to cut Winnipeg’s lead down to four points.
The Bombers’ offence put together a solid drive on their next possession to extend the lead, and Streveler got the drive rolling by picking up first downs through the air on completions to receivers Nic Demski and Chris Matthews. Streveler then showcased his athleticism on a 30-yard run that set up a two-yard touchdown run from Harris. Medlock kicked the extra point to give the Bombers a 17-6 lead.
C.J. Gable burst through a wide hole opened up by Edmonton’s offensive line for a 34-yard run towards the end of the half, but Bombers linebacker Adam Bighill came up with a big tackle on second down to halt the drive and force another Edmonton field goal. Whyte knocked the 24-yard kick through to make it a 17-9 game with just over a minute remaining in the quarter.
But Winnipeg managed to add to its total just before half-time after a 17-yard catch-and-run from Demski and an 11-yard run from Streveler put Medlock in range to hit a long 51-yard field goal that gave the Bombers a 20-9 lead.
The Esks managed to make it a one-possession game in the third quarter after Whyte made a 29-yard field goal, but Winnipeg responded with a 37-yard field goal from Medlock to extend its lead to 11 points.
Trevor Harris broke free for his longest rush of the season after getting the ball back, with a 27-yard rush up the right side of the field. Gable then caught a short pass from Harris and gained 27 yards to put Edmonton in the red zone, but Jefferson reached Harris for a key sack on second down to force Whyte’s fifth field goal of the night, making it a 23-15 game early in the fourth quarter.
Trevor Harris moved the chains on third down with a two-yard quarterback sneak, leading to a 21-yard field goal from Whyte that made it a five-point game with under ten minutes to play. Streveler then helped lead a late scoring drive and reached the end zone on a six-yard run, but Trevor Harris helped the Esks gain ground in the final minutes with a 75-yard touchdown strike to Smith. Whyte added the convert to make it a 31-25 game with just over a minute remaining.
Both teams traded field goals once again in the final minute as the Bombers walked off with a 34-38 win.
Week 12 will see the Winnipeg Blue Bombers face the Saskatchewan Roughriders on the road next Sunday, while the Edmonton Eskimos will face the Calgary Stampeders on the road next Monday.
