WINNIPEG – A strong second quarter helped the Edmonton Eskimos overpower the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 40-26 at Investors Group Field on Friday.
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The victory brings Edmonton (7-7) within two points of Winnipeg (8-6) for third place in the West Division.
Both teams traded touchdowns in the opening quarter starting with a 49-yard pass by Matt Nichols to Weston Dressler on the Bombers’ second possession of the game. The Eskimos replied with a three-yard run from John White.
Edmonton broke a 10-10 tie in the second quarter when Mike Reilly completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to Adarius Bowman. White later ran in his second major of the game, this time from the five-yard line to put the Eskimos up 24-10 at halftime.
Penalties also proved to be a problem for the Bombers as they committed 15 infractions for 166 yards. Defensive back Kevin Fogg returned a punt for a touchdown late in the second quarter but the score was cancelled by an illegal blocking penalty. Fogg has now had four majors nullified by penalties this season.
Edmonton once again outscored Winnipeg in the fourth quarter thanks in part to a 61-yard touchdown catch by Derel Walker. The Bombers found the endzone earlier in the frame as Nichols connected with Clarence Denmark for a 36-yard major.
Nichols completed 26 of 41 passes for 330 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the game. Reilly went 32 for 38 for 355 yards and two touchdowns.
Bombers kicker Justin Medlock hit four of five field goal including one from the 54-yard line. Edmonton’s Sean Whyte was perfect in his attempts, splitting the uprights three times.
Winnipeg defensive back Bruce Johnson and running back Pascal Lochard were not able to finish the game after getting hurt in the opening half. Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea did not have an update on their status at the end of the night.
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The Bombers honoured former player and head coach Bud Grant during the game by inducting him into their Ring of Honour. Grant’s name is the seventh added to the shrine during in its inaugural season.
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