BOMBERS OVER ARGOS IN NAILBITER

Michael Bishop’s debut as Winnipeg Blue Bombers QB may not have been earth shattering, but it was successful.  Behind a tenacious defense and some timely special teams play, the Bombers used an Alexis Serna field goal with just over two minutes left to pull out a hard fought 13-12 win over the host Toronto Argonauts.

The Bombers financial backers cashed tickets with Winnipeg’s outright win as a +5 road underdog.  Both teams are now 2-3 straight up.  Toronto is also 2-3 against the spread while the Blue Bombers are 3-2 versus the number. The combined 25 points went well under the posted total of 44.  For both teams, it was their 4th UNDER in 5 games this season and the 8th in the last 9 games head to head.
 
The game was in doubt until the closing minute of play, when the Bombers’ Barrin Simpson recovered a fumble deep in their own territory to preserve the victory.  After the game, he gave his thoughts:

"That's our mindset every week, get turnovers and make plays, big plays rather than just force two and out all the time. A lot of times we were backed up and we came up with big plays and big plays win the game for you."

Michael Bishop talked of the challenges he faced in his first taste of CFL football:

"I was tired in the second quarter. "It (playing) is different from practice because you can pace yourself whereas during a game you have the clock going, guys are hustling to the line of scrimmage and your mind is just racing. I was good in the first quarter but that jumped on me in the second quarter. You have to credit our defence for getting the ball. We have to do a better job of putting it into the end zone when they get it for us."

Bishop ‘s numbers weren’t particularly impressive on 16-30 passing, but he earned the praise of teammates and coaches with his cool play under pressure.  On several occasions he demonstrated veteran poise in the pocket, choosing to run or throw the ball away rather than try to force something.  After the game, Bishop commented:

"Young guys, they want to try and fit it in there. But you definitely need to know when to throw it out of bounds, live to fight another day and let the punt team kick it away."

The Argos had two long drives in the fourth quarter broken up on Siddeez Shabazz interceptions.  In his post game comments to media, Bombers’ coach  Mike Kelly praised the play of both his ball hawking defense and his young quarterback:

"Michael was knocking the rust off as we went along. He started to lose his legs there a bit but that was something you kind of anticipated. Right now, if our defence continues to keep us in games I'm sure we'll see Michael improve each week as he gets more familiar with what we're doing and with our receiving corps. The way they play with that grit and determination, I think it's a special unit. Those guys are keeping us in games right now."

Toronto’s schedule doesn’t get any easier as they’ll travel to Montreal next Friday to face the CFL leading Alouettes.  Winnipeg will head west to take on the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday night.