Blue Bombers pulverize Argos, Denmark hauls down two TD passes

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This article was published 12/08/2016 (3627 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TORONTO — On the eve of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ game against the Toronto Argonauts Friday night at BMO Field, Argos head coach Scott Milanovich offered up some early praise for his opponent.

Milanovich, a friend and former colleague of Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea, bestowed a vote of confidence in Winnipeg, which he said, much like his team over the past two weeks, had performed well in all three phases of the game — offence, defence and special teams.

“This, to me, is the first team he’s had that has enough talent to really make a run,” Milanovich said of O’Shea following the Argos’ walk-through Thursday.

Friday, that belief became more than just lip service as the Bombers rallied from a first-quarter deficit to defeat the Argos 34-17, knocking off a team that had the chance to sneak into first place in the East Division with a win.

THE POWER OF THREE

The win marks the third consecutive victory for the Blue and Gold, tying their longest winning streak since opening the 2014 season 3-0. It’s also the first time in more than a year the Bombers have boasted a .500 record, now 4-4 on the season.

Perhaps most importantly, though, the victory over Toronto (4-3) suggests the Bombers aren’t just treading water anymore, the two straight wins over the Edmonton Eskimos and Hamilton Tiger-Cats were no fluke, and maybe — just maybe — what fans are starting to see is a Bombers team starting to hit its stride — for real.

A SLOW START

It certainly looked that way on this night, even if it didn’t show early on.

Indeed, the Bombers didn’t look much like themselves out of the gate, showing off a much different version of offence from the last two games. After dominating from the opening kickoff against Edmonton and Hamilton, outscoring both by a combined 32-0, Winnipeg struggled to get anything going in the early stages against Toronto.

By the end of the first quarter, the Bombers had just 25 yards of net offence, running just 14 plays, including consecutive two-and-outs to open the game. Quarterback Matt Nichols, who was a combined 18-for-21 for 239 yards and two touchdowns against the Esks and Ticats, finished the first quarter three-for-six for eight yards, his longest toss going for just five yards.

Toronto took a 10-3 lead into the second quarter with a late touchdown pass — the longest play from scrimmage for the Argos this season — as second-year pivot Logan Kilgore, in his second career start in place of the injured Ricky Ray, hit Diontae Spencer for a 62-yard score. Lirim Hajrullahu, the former Bombers kicker, opened the scoring eight minutes and 14 seconds into the game with a 32-yard field goal. It marked the first time the Bombers have trailed in a game since Week 5.

THE REST WAS HISTORY

None that of that seemed to matter as Nichols regained his form, showing once again his ability to lead. Nichols, now with three wins in three starts since taking over for Drew Willy, finished 17-for-28 for 246 yards and two touchdowns to go with one interception. The interception was the first by Nichols this season, and first turnover for the Bombers in the last three games. Safe to say, it’s Nichols’ team now — and should be for some time.

It wasn’t just Nichols’ air attack that was in tune, but a stellar running game. Running back Andrew Harris, who entered the game with a two-week running total of 40 carries for 176 yards and two touchdowns, had another big game, ending the night with 19 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown. His four-yard score, which came late in the third quarter, was his third in as many games.

Then there was the defence, led by halfback Kevin Fogg. Fogg, who had already proven to be the most durable defender in the lineup — he’s the only starter to have played every game — may have become the mightiest Friday.

Fogg stormed all over the Argonauts, reeling in two of Kilgore’s five interceptions. Kilgore finished 26-for-44 for 301 yards and touchdown to go with those picks, before being replaced by Cody Fajardo, who engineered a late TD.

He also recovered a fumble and added a sack on what may be the most dominant performance by a Blue defender this season.

Maurice Leggett got in on the act, stepping in front of a Kilgore pass to return it 98 yards to put the Bombers up 33-10 less than seven minutes into the fourth quarter.

In total, the Bombers forced six turnovers, converting them into 24 points. Winnipeg has now forced 12 turnovers — nine interceptions, three fumbles — in the last three games.

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BEST FOR LAST

But the greatest performance came from perhaps the most unlikely of players. Clarence Denmark, in just his second game since returning to the Bombers lineup after being released in the off-season, had more than just a statement game.

By the 7:41 mark of the second quarter he had reeled in a 29-yard touchdown catch, giving the Bombers a 13-10 lead, one they wouldn’t relinquish. He’d score his second of the night 27 seconds into the fourth quarter, reeling in a 79-yard catch that put the game out of reach, 26-10.

By the end of the night, Denmark had done it all, finishing with seven catches for 195 yards and two touchdowns. His performance was the best in what was a complete team effort on the night.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

twitter: @jeffkhamilton

Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer

Jeff Hamilton joined the Free Press newsroom in 2015, reporting on the sports and investigative beats until he left the Free Press in July 2026.

Every piece of reporting Jeff produced was reviewed by an editing team before it was posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.