Bombers downed 39 – 17 by Als

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/08/2010 (5722 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MONTREAL — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers lost 39 – 17 to the Montreal Alouettes tonight. The Bombers fall to 2 – 6 for the year.

Trailing 24-0 at one point in the second quarter, the Bombers rallied briefly, and were trailing the Grey Cup champion Als 24-17 at the end of the third quarter at Percival Molson Stadium.

Jovon Johnson returned a Damon Duval punt 74 yards for a touchdown with 1:45 left in the third to pull the Bombers to within one TD. Couple that with a 45-yard field goal by newcomer Justin Palardy and Winnipeg has erased a 24-7 Alouette lead at the intermission.

Interestingly, the Bombers resurgence has come with Alouette star QB Anthony Calvillo out of the game. The all-star pivot left with 4:52 left in the first half after being sacked by Bomber ends Odell Willis and Phillip Hunt. He was down for several minutes, attempted to get up and walk off on his own steam but then had to go down again before leaving on a cart. Just before half-time he left the facility sitting upright on a stretcher. He was replaced by Chris Leak after completing 13 of 21 passes for 164 yards and two scores to S.J. Green. Chip Cox has the other Alouette TD after returning a Steven Jyles’ fumble 14 yards .

Jyles has fumbled three times, including one late in the first half with the Bombers inside the Alouette 20-yard line. But he did hook up with Brock Ralph for a 29-yard score with 49 seconds left in the first half.

Winnipeg has injury issues of its own as left tackle Luke Fritz left the game, causing a shuffle on the O-line with Steve Morley moving to tackle and rookie Chris Greaves lining up at guard.

Ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca