FIFTH QUARTER

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This article was published 24/10/2010 (5704 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

GAME BALLS:

�ñº OFFENCE

Cory Boyd may have given up some of his rushing lead to the Bombers’ Fred Reid (the Winnipeg back rushed for 105 yards to pull within 36 yards of Boyd’s 1,291 yards season total), but the Argos running back was a solid force for the visitors all afternoon. He averaged 7.8 yards per carry Saturday.

�ñº DEFENCE

He’s quietly turned into a solid defender for the Bombers, so let’s give it to LB Clint Kent. He finished his day with five tackles, had a huge sack ,and also forced a fumble on a play where Argos QB Cleo Lemon tried to slide to the turf. Kent belted Lemon before the pivot had a chance to give himself up.

�ñº SPECIAL TEAMS

The game changed with four seconds left in the first half, when Argos KR Chad Owens crossed the goal line after a 109-yard TD return following a missed field goal. Owens was never touched on the play, pausing slightly at his own 10-yard line before busting out on the left side for the major. Owens is the best return man in the CFL — no doubt about it.

FAN-O-METER:

Sadly for Bomber fans, there wasn’t much to choose from in this one — we have to be honest — but SB Terence Jeffers-Harris had the crowd buzzing with his solo run into the end zone following a strange play in the third quarter. After catching a five-yard pass from Joey Elliott, Jeffers-Harris was tackled by Argos S Willie Pile. Problem is, the Bomber receiver never touched the turf (he rolled over on-top of Pile). Despite hearing the whistle, Jeffers-Harris, knowing his knee or elbow wasn’t down from the contact, continued the play and ran it 83-yards into the end zone. Officials ruled the play dead, sending the boo-birds into full song.

QUOTABLE:

“As soon as my butt hit his stomach, I knew I wasn’t down. I was so mad they blew the whistle, but I knew if I finished the play… maybe there would be an outside chance. I never went down. Please refs, let the man go to the turf.” — Jeffers-Harris on his slow run into the end zone.

CRITICAL NUMBERS:

111

The number of quarterbacks the Bombers have gone through since the start of the 2009 season. Stefan Lefors, Bryan Randall, Richie Williams, Michael Bishop, Casey Bramlet, Buck Pierce, Steven Jyles, Alex Brink and Joey Elliott.

2With his takedown of Lemon in the third quarter, Bombers DE Phillip Hunt has put up the most sacks by a Bomber player since Joe Fleming hit the number in 1998. Hunt leads the CFL sack race this season.

1Here’s a total that doesn’t flatter the Bombers special teams: That’s the number of touchdowns given up by the unit this season — with three of those coming against the Argos.

6The announced crowd for the game, the lowest of the season. Disturbing trend for the Bombers: Since the Banjo Bowl, the crowds have been 26,154; 25,016; and 23,446. With one more home game left (Nov. 5 against Calgary) and the playoff chase over, how does the front office sell it?

2The longest play from scrimmage for the Bombers, from the legs of RB Fred Reid. Unfortunately for Winnipeg, it came with just over two minutes left in the game with the score 27-8 for the Argos.

— Adam Wazny

YARDSTICKS

Winnipeg Toronto

First Downs 16 18

Yards Passing 150 212

Yards Rushing 166 133

Total Offence 290 310

Time of Possession 28:19 31:41

Sacks 4 4

Turnovers 4 1

Penalties/Yards 9/75 11/75