The Winnipeg Blue Bombers desperately needed a spark.

The football club had played a solid first half but someone hit the snooze button and the Bombers watched the Calgary Stampeders score 11 unanswered second half points to take a 25-14 lead late in the fourth quarter Friday night at Investors Group Field.

Cue the wake-up call.

Winnipeg quarterback Matt Nichols threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Rory Kohlert with 1:54 left.

Cameron Marshall ran it in for the two point convert and that cut Calgary's lead to just three points.

The Blue Bombers defense forced a two-and-out and after Rob Maver's 43-yard punt, Winnipeg got the ball back on their own 51-yard line with 77 seconds left.

Nichols completed a 12-yard pass to Nick Moore.

Three plays later, on third-and-one from the reigning Grey Cup champions 37-yard line, with a chance to move deeper into Calgary territory where a field goal would be automatic and would send the game into overtime, or even better, the Bombers perhaps score a go-ahead touchdown – Winnipeg was flagged for procedure – no end.

Lirim Hajrullahu was sent out to attempt a 49-yard field goal with 50 seconds remaining but missed wide right.

Final score – Calgary 25 Winnipeg 23



Blue Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea talked about the penalty his football team took on third and one





Hajrullahu faced the media after the game and was adamant that he should have made the 49-yarder.

“It was swirling. Obviously there was a little wind towards me but I had enough leg. I knew I had enough leg for it. I didn't let that bother me. Just lost focus a little bit at the end and shouldn't have let that happen.”

Nichols completed 18-of-28 pass attempts for 234 yards and two touchdowns while Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell was 27-of-35 for 333 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

That pick belonged to Troy Stoudermire.

Winnipeg's record is now 4-9.

“It's hard to work hard and keep getting the outcomes that we're getting but I guess that's the beauty of the game,” said Bombers defensive tackle Bryant Turner. “You just got to keep working hard and just hope for the best basically. We'll come in next week and work just as hard if not harder for the next game and just go out there and try to play our best.”

Winnipeg's next game is Saturday, October 3rd at Investors Group Field against the Edmonton Eskimos.

 

photos by Merle Peters