WINNIPEG – Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Matt Nichols said prior to the 12th annual Banjo Bowl he had been having the most fun playing football this week than the last few years.
That enjoyment hit a whole new level Saturday as his team beat the Saskatchewan Roughriders 22-7 to even the all-time Banjo Bowl series 6-6.
The Bombers scored 22 unanswered points en route to the victory which snaps Winnipeg’s four game losing streak and improves its record to 4-7.
Receiver Julian Feoli-Gudino hauled in a 37-yard Matt Nichols pass in the dying second of the third quarter to give Winnipeg its first lead. Linebacker Khalil Bass rubbed salt in the wound by returning a four quarter interception 59-yards. The Bombers also had points off two successful Lirim Hajrullahu field goals – one from 25-yards out, the other from 31-yards. Hajrullahu also added singles off a missed 35-yard attempt and a punt.
Winnipeg struggled in the opening half, giving up five turnovers. Nichols fumbled the ball twice and was picked off once in the first two quarters of his Bombers debut. The interception was Nichols’ league leading 11th of the season. The pivot was also sacked four times during the first thirty minutes of play. Nichols completed 21 of 30 passes in the game for 283 yards, a touchdown and interception.
Saskatchewan scored the game’s only touchdown following one of the Bombers’ turnovers. Quarterback Brett Smith connected with wide receiver Robb Bagg for an 11-yard touchdown mid-way through the first quarter. Kicker Paul McCallum missed the convert attempt.
The Bombers now head to Montreal to face the Alouettes Sunday, September 20.
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