HAMILTON — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers finally overcame their slow starts they’ve been used to so far in 2016.
Drew Willy led his Bombers to their first victory of the season on Thursday night, beating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 28-24. Willy and his Bombers scored 22 points in the first half, that’s 15 more points than they have scored in the first halves in both games combined.
Winnipeg’s offence seemed to come alive in the first half. Andrew Harris led the Winnipeg ground game, rushing 63 yards on 13 carries and Ryan Smith led the receivers with seven catches for 44 yards.
Hamilton’s night started out on the right foot, with Brandon Banks returning Justin Medlock’s missed field goal for a touchdown early in the first quarter.
After that, everything seemed to go right for the Blue Bombers.
Medlock, who made his first return to Hamilton since signing with Winnipeg, kicked and missed a field goal that turned out to be a dagger. Brandon Banks took off down the field and showed everyone exactly why he’s known as Speedy B, returning it 120 yards for a touchdown. Brett Maher made the extra point to put the ‘Cats up 7-1.
For the rest of the first half, it was all Winnipeg.
The Bombers responded to Banks’ touchdown with a 25 yard field goal from Medlock to pull the Bombers within three.
Winnipeg’s defence was solid, not allowing Jeremiah Masoli and his offence to get anything going through the first two quarters with the only score coming on special teams.
Hamilton’s defensive tackle Drake Nevis sacked Drew Willy. The sack was Willy’s ninth of the season, the most in the league.
The Blue Bombers wouldn’t allow Hamilton to steal any momentum.
Winnipeg tied things up 7-7 after Medlock kicked an 18-yard field goal.
Just when things were possibly looking a little better for Hamilton, cornerback Maurice Leggett picked off a Masoli pass that was intended for Chad Owens and brought it back 50 yards for a touchdown. The Blue Bombers increased their lead to 15-7 with 1:54 left in the second quarter.
Just over a minute later, the Bombers found the end zone again. Willy threw the ball to Ryan Smith, who caught it under his arm without even looking. With the score, the Bombers led 22-10 at the half. Smith finished his night
Right away in the beginning of the second half, the Ticats forced a turnover and made the Blue Bombers pay for it.
With the Cats on a 2nd-and-goal, Masoli found receiver Andy Fantuz in the end zone to score at 12:08 of the third quarter. Maher’s 32 yard convert was good to cut Winnipeg’s lead to 22-17.
Medlock made his third field goal of the night, hitting a 38-yarder at 7:14 of the third quarter putting the Bombers up 25-17.
Banks, who had himself quite the night, had a 32-yard return to bring Masoli and his offence back on the field.
Late in the third quarter, Masoli tossed a 36-yard throw to Owens in the end zone to cut the Bombers lead to 25-25.
Willy tried to get his offence going on their next possession, but couldn’t get anything going and Hamilton forced Medlock to kick a 45-yard field goal to increase the Bombers’ lead to 28-24.
Tiquan Underwood had the go-ahead touchdown in his hands, but it was ruled an incomplete pass. Masoli’s next throw was intercepted by Loffler to give the ball back to Winnipeg.
With no score from either team in the fourth quarter, and 10 seconds left in the game, the Ticats started pressing down the field. Masoli eventually fumbled the ball and Winnipeg recovered to seal the victory.
Hamilton will look to rebound with a win next week against Montreal and Winnipeg will hope they can continue their winning streak next week against Edmonton.
