WINNIPEG – Moe Leggett silenced the Saskatchewan Roughriders with a pick-six and punt return touchdown on Saturday to lead his Winnipeg Blue Bombers to a 48-28 victory in the 14th Banjo Bowl at Investors Group Field.
The win marks the Bombers’ sixth in their last seven games. It’s also the eighth time they’ve beaten the Roughriders in the annual post-Labour Day clash since it was first played in 2004.
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Winnipeg led 29-20 at halftime despite allowing the Roughriders to pile up 311 yards of offence. Bombers receiver Clarence Denmark caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Matt Nichols mid-way through the opening quarter to start the scoring. The two later hooked up for another major, this time an 18-yard score.
Leggett hauled a Josh Bartel kick 97 yards in the second quarter to break the franchise record for the longest punt return for a touchdown. The Bombers also had a one-yard major in the opening half from backup quarterback Dan LeFevour in the final seconds of the half.
Saskatchewan replied with touchdowns from Duron Carter, Naaman Roosevelt and Kienan LaFrance. Two of the scores came off of a deep pass from quarterback Kevin Glenn. Carter hauled in an 88-yard major in the first quarter. It marked the sixth straight game the Roughriders receiver posted a touchdown pass, tying a club record. Glenn connected with Roosevelt in the second quarter for a 75-yard score.
Leggett intercepted Kevin Glenn roughly eight minutes into the third quarter, bringing it back 54 yards for a touchdown. Roughriders backup Brandon Bridge later ran in a 10-yard major to make it 38-27.
The Bombers added to their lead in the fourth with a 23-yard Ryan Lankford touchdown catch.
Winnipeg kicker Justin Medlock completed a 36-yard field goal in the victory. He also had three kicks roll into the endzone for a single.
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Safety Taylor Loffler fell ill a few hours prior to kickoff, forcing the Bombers to change their roster. Derek Jones started in Loffler’s place while Kahlen Branning was pulled off the practice roster to back him up.
Saturday’s game was a sellout with 33,134 filling Investors Group Field.
The Bombers (8-3) will get next week off with their final bye of the season. Saskatchewan (5-5) visits the last place Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1-8) on Sept 15.
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