The Winnipeg Blue Bombers concluded their pre-season schedule with a loss. In their first exhibition game of the year, the Ottawa RedBlacks defeated the Bombers 18-14 on Monday in Ottawa.
The Blue Bombers projected starters played into the third quarter and the first string offence failed to find the end zone in scoring just six points while only managing 101 net yards of offence.
Drew Willy completed 11 of his 15 passes for 87 yards before leaving the game. The Bombers also got a bit of a scare late in the second quarter when Willy was taken down hard in the backfield. He was slow to get up but stayed in the game.
Andrew Harris carried the ball four times for only seven yards. He also made four catches for 33 yards before leaving the game with the rest of the first string offence.
Brad Sinopoli scored the only touchdown in the first half on a seven yard pass from Henry Burris.
The Bombers failed on two separate third down gambles in short yardage situations in the opening half. Winnipeg trailed 17-6 at halftime.
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Matt Nichols replaced Willy at quarterback midway through the third quarter and in his third series, orchestrated a touchdown drive capped off by a five yard touchdown pass to Quincy McDuffie. The RedBlacks blocked the convert though and the Bombers trailed 17-13.
Nichols completed six of his nine passes for 73 yards and a touchdown before giving way to Dominique Davis. Davis only threw two passes and both were caught for 30 yards.
Bryan Bennett closed out the game at quarterback and made three of his five pass attempts for 22 yards. He also ran the ball four times for 29 yards.
Gerrard Sheppard was the Bombers leading receiver as he made three catches for 45 yards. Tim Flanders had six rushes for 29 yards in the battle for the backup running back job while McDuffie might have done enough to nail down the returners job. He ran back four kicks for 112 yards which included a 59 yard return.
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With the exception of a punt single, the Bombers defence kept the RedBlacks off the scoreboard in the second half. Khalil Bass, Adrian Hubbard and Shayon Green were all credited with sacks while C.J. Roberts intercepted a fourth quarter pass by Danny O’Brien. The Bombers left their veteran defensive linemen in Winnipeg as Jamaal Westerman, Keith Shologan and Euclid Cummings all sat out.
The Bombers have to cut down their roster to 65 players plus draft picks by Tuesday night.
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