Bombers’ Whitehead electrifies IG Field crowd

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This article was published 28/06/2019 (2263 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE Winnipeg Blue Bombers lost the stats war but were overwhelming better when it came to finishing drives Thursday night.

It was just enough. Barely.

Winnipeg scored four touchdowns while the Edmonton Eskimos could manage only seven Sean Whyte field goals in a 28-21 victory for the Blue Bombers at IG Field.

Remarkably, the Esks trailed 14-12 at halftime despite holding a 37-19 lead in offensive plays, a 268-158 advantage in net offence and a 15-8 edge in first downs. By the end of the game, Winnipeg’s totals hadn’t improved, with Edmonton holding a 77-41 edge in offensive plays, 440-270 in net offence and 29-14 in first downs.

On another night, it would have been a recipe for disaster.

Winnipeg’s all-star tailback Andrew Harris knew how close his team had come to blowing it. Harris had a tough night, managing only 34 yards on 10 carries and making two critical fumbles, including an astonishing drop on the Winnipeg 51-yard line in the final minute of the fourth quarter.

Harris had broken loose for a six-yard gain and was looking for more when the pigskin was stripped loose by linebacker Vontae Diggs and recovered by Jordan Hoover.

“Excuse my language — that was a horse(bleep) game for me,” said Harris. “I mean, to cough up the ball that late in the game in that area of the field. I’ve just gotta be better. I mean, it’s a team game and our defence held it down, made some big plays, but… I’ve gotta be better overall in those situations… We’ve gotta re-evaluate everything tomorrow and come back to work.”

Harris could not remember fumbling twice in game during his professional career… or ever, for that matter.

“It’s the worst feeling in the world,” he said. “I saw an opening, made a move. It’s second nature to do that and they got a hand on it underneath and popped it out.”

The Blue Bombers were bailed out by the heroics of slotback Lucky Whitehead, who scored a pair of touchdowns and caught seven passes for 155 yards in his second CFL game.

“It was a great team win,” said Harris. “We saw some flashes. Lucky Whitehead had an amazing game. I thought our defence was unreal and (Nic) Demski had some nice carries but overall we need to be better as a full unit.”

Harris was asked to explain Winnipeg’s wonky offensive production.

“We just didn’t get in a rhythm,” said Harris. “We’re streaky, we had some big plays but overall we couldn’t get in a rhythm for whatever reason. I mean, that’s a great defence. That’s probably the best defence in the league I’d say and it’s tough to get in a rhythm against a team that’s that physical and makes plays.

“But again, we got enough points to win the game. That’s the most important thing. A ‘W’ against a western team is always a plus.”

He also credited the bend-but-don’t break Winnipeg D.

“That was unreal,” said Harris. “They made play after play after play. They were getting pressure and made life hard for Trevor Harris so they did an amazing job.”

NOTEWORTHY: rookie Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira was carted off after being injured while on special-teams duty in the first half. Oliveira, favouring his right ankle, did not return. “(He’s) definitely a kid that’s close to my heart,” said Harris. “You could tell he was in a lot of pain there, so I wish him a speedy recovery.” … Bombers linebacker Anthony Gaitor also left the game in the third quarter, favouring his left foot.

 

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14