The Canadian Press
WINNIPEG — A pick six and a big rushing performance from Andrew Harris led the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to a 35-24 home win over the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday. The Bombers notched four interceptions and snapped a three game losing streak, improving their record to 10-6 to keep pace in the West.
Harris led the Bombers to a touchdown on their opening drive, and Winnipeg’s defence held the Als to a field goal on their first series. Special teams gave Montreal a major spark later in the first quarter when Mario Alford came through with a punt return touchdown for the second straight game.
Winnipeg grabbed the lead back in the second quarter on a touchdown pass from Chris Streveler to Drew Wolitarsky, and the Blue and Gold led by five points heading into half-time.
The Als retook the lead when Vernon Adams Jr. threw a 30-yard touchdown to Jake Wieneke, but three straight field goals from Justin Medlock gave Winnipeg a 24-17 lead later in the third quarter.
Winnipeg extended the lead in the fourth quarter with a huge pick six from Nick Taylor and another Medlock field goal. Marcus Sayles’ second interception of the game sealed the victory for the Bombers.
Harris gained 106 rushing yards in the first half and finished with a career-high 166 yards on 24 carries, bringing his league-leading rushing total to 1,261 yards.
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A slashing 14-yard run from Harris converted an early second down on the Bombers’ opening drive. Streveler followed it up with another first down gain on the ground, accelerating to the left edge of the Als’ defence for 11 yards. Harris then added a five-yard carry before capping off the drive with a 16-yard touchdown run to put Winnipeg on top.
Montreal responded with a solid drive that saw Adams throw 21-yard strikes to both Eugene Lewis and Quan Bray, but the Bombers’ defence held strong and forced the Als to settle for a 30-yard field goal from Boris Bede.
But the Als grabbed the lead with a bang later in the opening quarter when Alford turned on the jets and returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown. Alford zoomed up the left sideline for the score, and Bede added the extra point to put Montreal up 10-7.
Winnipeg regained the lead in the second quarter when Streveler led a 65-yard scoring drive that he finished off with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Wolitarsky. Streveler moved the chains three times on the drive with big throws to Kenny Lawler, Wolitarsky and Janarion Grant. Medlock kicked the convert to give the Bombers a 14-10 advantage.
The Bombers added another point to their lead on the following kickoff when Alford was tackled in the Als’ end zone for a single.
But frustration set in for Winnipeg just before half-time, as Streveler was picked off in the red zone by defensive back Tommie Campbell. The Bombers were marching down the field and looked poised to extend their lead before the turnover.
Montreal retook the lead in the third quarter when Adams displayed his athleticism on a beautiful 30-yard touchdown throw to Wieneke. Adams scrambled to the left and froze defensive back Marcus Rios in his tracks before throwing an accurate strike to Wieneke. Bede kicked the convert to give Montreal a 17-15 lead.
The Als’ lead did not last long, as Grant immediately came through with a huge 74-yard kickoff return that set up a 43-yard field goal from Medlock.
The Bombers’ special teams followed up with another big play after their defence came up with a stop. Boris Bede was set to punt for the Als, but heavy pressure forced the punter to hold onto the ball and take a loss for a turnover on downs.
Harris moved the ball inside the 10-yard line with a 21-yard run on the next play, but Montreal stood tall on defence and forced Winnipeg to settle for a 14-yard field goal from Medlock.
Adams was picked off on the very first play of the next drive when his pass was tipped by Winston Rose and intercepted by Sayles. Streveler followed the turnover up one play later with a big 35-yard pass to Rasheed Bailey. Bailey beat Campbell in coverage, and the big gain set up a 42-yard field goal from Medlock that gave Winnipeg a 24-17 lead.
Winnipeg came up with a pick six on defence in the fourth quarter, as Taylor intercepted Adams after the quarterback rolled to his right and attempted to complete a pass to Bray. Taylor returned the pick 37 yards for the score, and Medlock’s extra point gave the Bombers a 31-17 lead.
Streveler was intercepted on the Bombers’ next possession by linebacker Boseko Lokombo, giving Montreal solid field position and a jolt of momentum. But the Bombers’ defence bailed Streveler out when Chandler Fenner picked off Adams in the end zone three plays later.
Medlock extended Winnipeg’s lead to 17 points with a 46-yard field goal, and Sayles stepped up with his second pick in the final minutes.
The Als made things interesting late with a 37-yard touchdown strike from Adams to Bray, but it was too little too late as Winnipeg took the win.
Week 19 will see the Montreal Alouettes host the Toronto Argonauts next Friday at 7:00 p.m. EDT., while the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will travel to take on the Calgary Stampeders the following Saturday at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
