The Winnipeg Blue Bombers continued their impressive season Friday night at BC Place in a convincing 30-8 win against the Lions. The Blue Bombers are now on a five-game winning streak and sit atop the West Division with a 7-1 record.
After a slow start from both teams, the Lions marched down to the Blue Bombers’ six-yard line before kicker Jimmy Camacho’s 13-yard field put the Lions on top 3-0 with 7:41 left in the first quarter.
Then, the Blue Bombers got to work. They went on a thirteen-play drive before settling for a 13-yard field goal from Ali Mourtada to tie the game 3-3 at the end of the first quarter. The Lions had the ball to start the second quarter.
On the first play of the second quarter, Lions leading receiver Lucky Whitehead was injured after making a catch. Whitehead would return in the third quarter.
Zach Collaros led the team on a four-play drive on the Blue Bombers’ first possession of the second quarter. He put the ball in the air as Kenny Lawler fought off a Lions defender to make the catch for the touchdown. The Blue Bombers were up 10-3 with 11:08 left.
The Lions’ offense made little progress on the next possession as the Blue Bombers’ defense stopped them. On the next Blue Bombers drive, they went on a nine-play drive that capped off when Collaros scrambled out of the pocket to find Rasheed Bailey for a ten-yard touchdown. The Blue Bombers led 17-3 with 1:50 left in the second quarter.
On the Lions final possession of the second quarter, quarterback Mike Reilly led the team on an eight-play drive that resulted in a 49-yard field by Jimmy Camacho to trail 17-6 at halftime.
In the third quarter, both defenses kept one another from scoring. The Lions seemed to have had momentum after defensive back Bejour Wilson knocked the ball out of Blue Bombers running back Andrew Harris’s hands, and the defense recovered. However, they were unable to capitalize on the turnover.
The Blue Bombers increased their lead 20-6 on a 29-yard field goal from Ali Mourtada with 7:27 left in the third quarter. The Lion’s defense forced another turnover when T.J. Lee stripped the ball away from Kenny Lawler. The Lions settled for a 43-yard field goal from Jimmy Camacho trailing 20-9 with 2:22 left in the third quarter.
The Blue Bombers’ offense marched down to the Lions’ 19-yard line before the third quarter ended up 20-9. However, they settled for a 23-yard field goal by Ali Mourtada for a 23-9 lead.
The Blue Bombers’ defense prevented the Lions from moving the ball early in the fourth quarter. Then, the Blue Bombers went on a ten-play drive that resulted in a one-yard touchdown run by backup quarterback Sean McGuire for a 30-9 lead with 2:54 left in the game.
The Lions put backup quarterback Nathan Rourke on the last Lions drive of the game. However, Rourke’s pass was intercepted by defensive back Mike Jones with 1:15 left in the game. The Blue Bombers defeated the Lions 30-9.
Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros went 28/33 for 417-yards and two touchdowns. Running back, Andrew Harris had 14-carries for 81-yards. Wide receiver Kenny Lawler led the receivers with 12 receptions for 205-yards and one touchdown. The defense recorded six sacks, one interception, and two forced fumbles.
For the Lions, quarterback Mike Reilly was 17/27 for 117-yards and led in rushing with nine yards. Wide receiver Bryan Burnham led the receivers with seven receptions for 82-yards. The defense recorded two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Next week, the Blue Bombers host the Edmonton Elks on Friday, October 8th, at 8:30 pm on ESPN+. The BC Lions are on a bye week.
