Streveler shines in professional debut

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This article was published 01/06/2018 (2706 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CFL pre-season games are normally forgotten the moment they’re over but rookie Winnipeg quarterback Chris Streveler probably couldn’t have asked for a more memorable pro debut.

The 23-year-old from the University of South Dakota guided the Blue Bombers to points on three of his five possessions (17 points), including an 80-yard touchdown strike to Myles White in the third quarter as Winnipeg rolled to a 33-13 triumph over the Edmonton Eskimos at Investors Group Field Friday.

“It just felt really good to get out there and play in a game,” said Streveler. “I mean, we’ve been putting in a lot of work, obviously, as every team has and just practising. To go out there in a game setting and play against somebody else was so fun.”

Streveler went 10-for-10 passing for 140 yards and ran the ball four times for 37 more yards.

“You don’t go 10 for 10 if you don’t have a bunch of time back there and the running game was setting up second and shorts for us,” said Streveler. “It was really a team effort and everyone did really well.”

His game was mostly smart and safe — the only glaring blemish on his performance came in the fourth quarter when he lost a fumble after scrambling for a 20-yard gain and the putting Blue Bombers deep in scoring position again.

“I think I got a little excited,” said Streveler. “I was breaking some tackles and I kinda thought I might score there for a second. I felt like my ball security was OK, but I was a little disappointed.

“Coach harps on ball security so much and to have a good play result in something like that, it’s disappointing. It’s definitely something I’m gonna have to continue to work on.”

Streveler didn’t show any sign of nerves, even though it was his first game action with CFL rules.

“I felt comfortable,” he said. “I didn’t know there was a three-minute warning (in the CFL). I knew the clock stopped after three minutes — I saw that — and that was really the only surprise rule.”

Streveler wasn’t the only newcomer to make a big impression for Winnipeg. Running back Johnny Augustine, an undrafted Canadian free-agent signing from Guelph, romped for 81 yards and one touchdown on eight carries.

“It’s about seizing the opportunity,” said the 24-year-old, who had failed tryouts with the Eskimos and Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2017. “I came into camp, obviously, learning the system, learning from the guys and things happen quick. You’re one injury away, you’re one play away and today, you know, I knew they were going to call me in.”

The 5-9, 190-pounder reilished the post-game attention. “At a professional level, this is surreal,” said Augustine. “After tonight, after resting and eating, I’m going to wash it away and learn from my mistakes and hopefully there’s big moments like this in the future.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @sawa14