Winnipeg Bombers, with several stars resting, put up a heck of a fight against a B.C. Lions a team that was battling for a home playoff game, but ultimately made too many crucial mistakes before falling 40-32.
Although the Bombers had already clinched first place in the West Division, Winnipeg fell to 14-3 for the season and will host either the Lions or the Calgary Stampeders in the West Final at IG Field on Nov. 13.
The Bombers rested multiple starters, including quarterback Zach Collaros and offensive linemen Stanley Bryant, Jermarcus Hardrick, and Pat Neufeld and they played like a B-team at times, making critical errors that cost them points.
Winnipeg put up 375 yards of offence, including 325 through the air.
Quarterback Dru Brown, making his first professional start, threw two interceptions for touchdowns, the special teams unit gave up 341 return yards, and the defence had trouble stopping the run.
After the match, Bombers receiver Rasheed Bailey said:
“We talked all week about coming in here to battle. Like our coach said, we came here to win. We don’t play to lose.”
“We fought to the end. Unfortunately we missed a couple plays and we didn’t come out with a W. All the guys were ready, suited, and booted and we just didn’t make it happen.”
Bombers coach Mike O’Shea was salty after the loss, as he hated to win:
“I hate losing and we lost. I liked the way we battled, I liked the way we gave ourselves a chance at the end, but frick, we came here prepared to win a football game and it didn’t work out. It stinks.”
Winnipeg trailed 27-10 at half-time and it looked like it might be a runaway for the Lions, but Winnipeg moved the ball very well and put up three offensive touchdowns in the second half.
Dalton Schoen had four catches for 82 yards, and his league-leading 15th touchdown, and is now just 16 yards shy of the Bombers’ record for yards by a rookie receiver.
The record of 1,373 yards was set by Perry Tuttle in 1986. Schoen has 1,357 yards and leads the entire CFL.
