Two big plays.

One by the defense and the other by the specialty teams and that was the difference as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeated the Montreal Alouettes 25-23 Friday night at Investors Group Field.

Johnny Adams intercepted Montreal quarterback Rakeem Cato's pass and scampered untouched 40 yards for Winnipeg's first major with five minutes gone in the second quarter.

“It was fun,” said Adams who also had an interception in the Blue Bombers season opening victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina. “I'm just glad I'm out here having fun. I'm blessed. I made a play.”

That play was huge but the play that got the crowd of just over 25,600 whipped into a frenzy was Lin-J Shell's blocked punt that Teague Sherman recovered in the Alouettes end zone with just 17 seconds remaining in the first half.

“It was awesome,” Sherman said after the game. “I've got to give full credit to Lin-J Shell. It was all him. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. I won the race. There was a few of us but I won the race. I think my speed increased incredibly as soon as I saw the ball out there knowing I want to try to get there first.”

That touchdown by Sherman gave the Blue & Gold a 19-10 lead.

Lirim Hajrullahu also had a big night as he kicked four field goals – from 52, 21, 25 & 34 yards out.

The 52-yarder was a career best.

“It just felt great,” said Hajrullahu who also averaged 45.3 yards a punt. “Brian (Brohm) and Chad (Rempel) – the operation just felt awesome and that also builds my confidence in being able to hit those kinds of shots and it just helps our team. Those points meant a lot at the end.”

Tyrell Sutton had a pair of rushing touchdowns for the Alouettes.

Boris Bede kicked three field goals.

His third from 38 yards out with 2:49 left got Montreal within two points.

The Winnipeg offense didn't find the end zone but quarterback Drew Willy completed 20-of-29 passes for 251 yards.

The Blue Bombers improve to 2-1 and will meet the defending Grey Cup champion Stampeders in Calgary on Saturday, July 18th.

 

photos by Merle Peters