WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers made it five straight wins and improved to 5-0 vs CFL East Division opponents this season by edging the Montreal Alouettes in overtime Thursday.
The game ended with a nail-biting 39 yard Justin Medlock field goal after Chris Randle picked off a Darian Durant pass for his second interception of the game.
The kick – and the pick — meant the Bombers left Molson Stadium with a 34-31 double-overtime win.
“We were in cut coverage. They set 2 routes down near me…one on the inside and one on the outside,” explained Randle on the 680 CJOB Post Game Show. “I had to do a judgement call and play in between them. I broke on the inside one, and that’s the one he threw to.”
The teams had exchanged touchdowns and two point converts on their first possessions of overtime after Montreal had forced the extra time on a field goal by Boris Bede that caromed off the right post. It tied the score at 23-23 with nine seconds left in the fourth quarter.
The Montreal loss put a damper on what was a record setting night for veteran receiver Nik Lewis, who caught 10 passes for 88 yards to become the CFL’s all-time leader with 1,030 career receptions.
The 10th and final catch of the night by Lewis came on a late Als’ drive that led to the game tying field goal.
READ MORE: Andrew Harris and Matt Nichols snag performer awards for CFL’s week nine
The 7-2 Blue Bombers jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter on a Medlock 47 yard field goal and a Matt Nichols six yard pass to Clarence Denmark that was set up by Randle’s first interception of the night.
Montreal (3-6) evened the score in the second quarter on a Bede 19 yard field goal that was followed by a 31 yard pass from Durant to Canadian rookie George Johnson with just 30 seconds remaining in the half.
An unsuccessful fake punt attempt early in the 3rd quarter resulted in the Alouettes’ third turnover of the game, and Winnipeg took advantage just two plays later when Nichols found Julian Feoli-Gudino for a six yard pass and run play to make it 17-10.
Both teams had their defenses take over the game until Durant connected with Ernest Jackson on a 38 yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to make it a one possession game.
“I’m sure fans are enjoying these; I’m enjoying winning,” Bombers Head Coach Mike O’Shea told 680 CJOB after the game.
Matt Nichols delivered another strong performance for the Blue Bombers, completing 26 of 38 passes for 227 yards, three touchdowns, and an inconsequential interception on the final play of the first half to improve to 17-5 as a starter in Winnipeg.
Darian Durant connected on 31 of 43 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns, but his ninth and tenth interceptions of the season proved costly.
Andrew Harris ran the ball 13 times for 75 yards while Montreal’s Brandon Rutley had almost identical stats with 12 carries for 78 yards.
Lewis led all receivers in the game in receptions, while Denmark caught 8 passes for 47 yards and two touchdowns.
The Bombers begin their second half schedule with the annual trek to Regina for the Labor Day Classic a week from Sunday. Montreal will kick off week 11 of the schedule next Thursday at home to Ottawa.
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