Bombers debut with 34-10 victory over Alouettes

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This article was published 13/06/2010 (5655 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG – As far as debuts go, you couldn’t ask for much more than that.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers opened the pre-season schedule with a 34-10 victory over the Montreal Alouettes at Canad Inns Stadium this afternoon, but the real cause for celebration has to be the first impression the two new quarterbacks left with the Blue and Gold faithful.

Buck Pierce and Steven Jyles – castaways from the B.C. Lions and Saskatchewan Roughriders, respectively – both put in impressive bids to be the No. 1 guy for the Bombers when the regular season kicks off at home July 2 against Hamilton.

Pierce started the game and after putting a scare in the 28,792 in attendance with a scramble up the middle in his first play as a Blue Bomber, he marched the club down the field on an 11-play, 104-yard drive that ended with a Fred Reid touchdown scamper to open the scoring. Pierce followed up with a 26-yard strike to Brock Ralph for another major at the end of the quarter.

The 28-year-old pivot was 6-of-10 for 105 yards through the air and rushed for another 34 yards on three carries in his first look as a Blue Bomber.

Jyles wasn’t nearly as effective through the air (2-of-8, 42 yards, with an interception), but he showed to be a threat with his legs. The Alouette defence, a collection of back-ups and depth chart fodder as Montreal didn’t bring many starters for the contest, had a hard time containing Jyles in the pocket.

The former Riders back-up QB rushed for 54 yards on just five carries, pacing Winnipeg to 279 yards offence in the first half.

By comparison, Montreal, led by quarterbacks Adrian McPherson and Chris Leak (starter Anthony Calvillo didn’t make the trip) could only muster 91 yards of total offence in the first 30 minutes.

Pierce and Jyles weren’t the only Winnipeg players who put up good numbers against the Alouettes depth chart. Other Winnipeg stand-outs on the day:

• WR Terence Jeffers-Harris had three catches for 54 yards and showed some quickness in open space. His outing was tainted by a wide-open drop in the second quarter.
• Reid rushed for 30 yards on four carries, and a touchdown.
• FB Daryl Stephenson and running back Emmanuel Marc also had TDs for the Bombers.
• DE Odell Willis and Phillip Hunt were in the Montreal backfield most of the game, forcing the Als into hurried throws and unwanted cutbacks.
• QB Adam DiMichele was 5-of-7 for 91 yards in the battle for the No. 3 pivot spot

Alexis Serna hit field goals of 28 and 48 yards for the Bombers. Leak was the lone bright spot for the defending Grey Cup champs, going 21-of-32 for 181 yards and a touchdown.

Winnipeg left tackle Glenn January left the game in the first quarter with an upper body injury. He later appeared on the sidelines in the second quarter with his right arm in a sling.

The Bombers will take tomorrow off before resuming training camp workouts Tuesday. The club’s final pre-season game is a week from today, when they travel to Hamilton to take on the Tiger-Cats.