For the first time since the 2004 season, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have recorded back-to-back wins over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in September.

The Bombers, who beat the Riders 28-25 in the Labour Day Classic last Sunday in Regina, made it two straight thanks to a 17-10 victory in the Banjo Bowl in front of a full house of 33,234 Saturday at Investors Group Field.

”We did a good job of protecting the ball,” said Winnipeg receiver Weston Dressler who caught seven passes for 135 yards. “We were backed up quite a bit throughout that first quarter but I thought offensively we did a good job of taking advantage of our shots when they presented themselves. Not forcing that issue, but wait till we had that opportunity, take it and execute at that time.”

The biggest play of the game happened early in the fourth quarter.

With the two teams deadlocked at 10-10 and quarterback Darian Durant driving the Riders downfield, Kevin Fogg stripped Saskatchewan receiver Caleb Holley of the ball and Johnny Adams recovered at the Winnipeg 16 yard line. Quarterback Matt Nichols then took the Bombers offense 94 yards in six plays for the go-ahead score.

“We needed that,” said Fogg. “I'm glad that play happened because that was a huge momentum shift for us. I'm glad that our offense went down the field and punched it in. That's how we have to do it. That's how we have to capitalize off of turnovers and just play off of each other.”

The injury bug bit the Bombers offense hard.

Running back Andrew Harris and receiver Ryan Smith both left the game in the first half.

Pascal Lochard and Julian Feoli-Gudino stepped up and contributed big time.

“Every week it seems like guys are stepping in and you don't even notice it hardly,” said Nichols who had a pair of one-yard touchdown plunges. “Julian came in and made a few big catches for us, move us right down the field and Pascal came in in the backfield, really his first solid game action - picked up a few blitzes, had a few nice runs and really did some nice things for us.”

“For those guys to just be ready when their number is called, because it's something we always talk about around here. Lot of times it's a cliche - next man up - well we've been living it this year and guys have stepped right in and made plays for us. I'm proud of those guys and can't say enough good things about my teammates.”

The Blue Bombers (7-4) have won six in a row and are just two points back of the B.C. Lions who hold down second place in the CFL's West Division.

Winnipeg is also four points ahead of the fourth place Edmonton Eskimos.

And what did the Blue Bombers head coach think of the atmosphere of the 13th Banjo Bowl?

“It was fantastic,” replied Mike O'Shea. “The guys understood what they were going to walk into when they came out of that tunnel. They were going to see this stadium that was packed and the fans were going to be going crazy. It's extremely nice to reward the fans for their patience and their perseverance. They stick with us and they're loud and they're obnoxious to the opposition which is fantastic. You can't ask for anything more.”

The Blue Bombers next game is Saturday, September 17th against the Toronto Argonauts at Investors Group Field.


photos courtesy Merle Peters