Bombers tame Lions 37-35

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This article was published 08/10/2016 (3289 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A 22-yard touchdown reception by Clarence Denmark in the fourth quarter gave the Winnipeg Blue Bombers a lead they wouldn’t relinquish in a 37-35 win over the visiting B.C. Lions on Saturday afternoon at Investors Group Field.

FOURTH QUARTER

The Bombers tied the game on the first play of the fourth quarter as Justin Medlock booted a 48-yard field goal. B.C. took back the lead immediately on their next drive via a 46-yard field goal of their own.

Nichols found Denmark 22-yards out in the end zone to cap off a two-play, 35-yard drive that proved to be the game-winning score.

The Bombers defence stuffed the Lions on a 3rd and 1 attempt on the Bombers four-yard line.

THIRD QUARTER

The Blue Bombers watched their lead vanish and now trail the Lions 30-27 after three quarters of play.

Both teams exchanged field goals in the early stages of the quarter, but it was the Lions who took over the reins.

Lions backup pivot Travis Lulay punched in from one yard out late in the quarter to cap off a 11-play, 38-yard scoring drive for their first lead of the night.

SECOND QUARTER

The Blue Bombers lead the Lions 24-20 at halftime.

Timothy Flanders rushed 16 yards on the second play of the second quarter to increase the Bombers first quarter lead to 21-3.

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B.C. responded by scoring majors on consecutive drives, first through a 56-yard touchdown scamper by slotback Chris Rainey, who converted on third down with one to go on B.C.’s 54-yard line, and then care of a three-yard touchdown rumble from tailback Anthony Allen.

The Lions added a last second field goal.

FIRST QUARTER

Mike O’Shea’s successful coach’s challenge on an early Matt Nichols’ interception sparked a 95-yard touchdown drive by the Blue Bombers, who lead the Lions 14-3 after the first quarter.

Andrew Harris drew first blood on his former team with a seven-yard touchdown reception to cap off the drive.

The Bombers added a dash of trickery on their next drive. The Bombers extended the possession on a fake field goal attempt and then scored on a direct snap to Harris, who lateralled the ball to receiver Rory Kohlert, who then passed the ball to Nichols wide open in the end zone.

Scott Billeck
Reporter

Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the Free Press. A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade’s worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024.  Read more about Scott.

Every piece of reporting Scott produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is 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.