15 penalties for 166 yards.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were flagged for illegal blocks, pass interference, holding, face mask, procedure – even tripping.

Too many penalties and the Grey Cup champions made the home team pay as the Edmonton Eskimos defeated the Blue Bombers 40-26.

“That's just undisciplined,” said Winnipeg cornerback Chris Randle. “That's uncharacteristic of us. We had a lot less penalties last week and we got to get back to that.”

The Bombers have lost two in a row after winning seven straight and what really hurt was Winnipeg could have buried the Eskimos even deeper into fourth place in the CFL's West Division.

As a matter of fact Edmonton would have been closer to the last place Saskatchewan Roughriders than the Blue Bombers had Winnipeg pulled out a victory on Friday night at Investors Group Field.

Instead the Eskimos (7-7) are just two points back of the Bombers (8-6) and Edmonton has won the season series.

“That was the goal this week, to win the game and create some separation.” said Winnipeg receiver Weston Dressler who combined with Matt Nichols for a 49-yard catch and run that went for a touchdown 6:18 into the first quarter. “Now we just have a little tougher road ahead of us.”

Nichols also threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Clarence Denmark.

Justin Medlock kicked four field goals.

His 54-yarder with just under three minutes left in the game got the Blue Bombers with six points at 32-26.

But the Eskimos answered right back as Mike Reilly threw an eight yard out to Derel Walker who shook off a tackle attempt by Terrence Frederick and went untouched down the sidelines 61 yards for a touchdown.

Reilly finished the night completing 32-of-36 passes for 355 yards and two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Edmonton running back John White ran for 104 yards and two touchdowns and caught seven passes for 64 yards.

“We lost to a good football team,” said Winnipeg head coach Mike O'Shea. “They played good football and capitalized on our mistakes and we gave them too many opportunities with our mistakes. It's pretty clear and simple.”

The Blue Bombers next game is Saturday, October 8th at Investors Group Field against the B.C. Lions.

The Lions are 8-4 and host the Ottawa RedBlacks tonight.


photos courtesy Merle Peters