It was a pretty impressive performance from a quarterback with a sore knee who didn't even know he would play until Wednesday morning.

Drew Willy threw a pair of touchdown passes and ran for 72 yards as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeated the B.C. Lions 23-13 Thursday night at Investors Group Field.

"I'm confident in my ability," said Willy who suffered a knee injury in the third quarter of Winnipeg's 32-3 loss to the Eskimos in Edmonton this past Saturday. "I'm obviously a dropback quarterback but at the same time, try to be athletic out there and get yards when I can. I'm just going to fight for my teammates. Guys made big plays for us - offense, defense and specialty teams. It's great to get a win for our crowd. They helped out tonight and they deserve it."

Willy tossed an eight-yard touchdown pass to Justin Veltung 4:13 into the second quarter and hooked up with Darvin Adams on a 56-yard catch and run for a major on the first play of the second half.

Adams, who had a huge night as he caught four passes for 127 yards, said Willy was the difference maker.

"That just shows how tough he is and that makes everyone around him want to play harder," Adams said. "They tried to give me the game ball and I had to give it back to Drew because he's the man. He's coming off an injury and he comes back and plays tough. He's trying to run people over and everything and you gotta love that. I play hard for him."

The Lions scored on their opening drive of the game as Travis Lulay marched the B.C. offense 95 yards in 14 plays before tossing a 17-yard touchdown pass to Courtney Taylor.

That drive chewed up 8:32 of the first quarter.

And that was the only time the Bombers defense allowed the Lions to find the end zone.

"We're very proud of the defense," said Winnipeg defensive back Demond Washington. "We all came together after that first drive and said we can't let them get anymore."

Washington, Sam Hurl and Johnny Adams intercepted Lulay.

Lirim Hajrullahu was good on field goal attempts from 19, 20 and 26 yards out.

With the win Winnipeg improved to 3-3.

The Blue Bombers next game is Sunday, August 9th against the Tiger-Cats in Hamilton.

 

photos by Merle Peters