O’Shea stands behind his No. 1 gun

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This article was published 26/08/2018 (2620 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CALGARY — Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea didn’t mince words when asked whether a quarterback controversy might be brewing following another tough outing for Matt Nichols and the Bombers offence Saturday afternoon.

“No,” O’Shea said, in what was the final question of his post-game scrum.

Nichols struggled to find his groove in a 39-26 loss to the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium. The Bombers No. 1 quarterback completed 66 per cent of his passes for a modest 258 yards and a touchdown, which came with just minutes remaining and with the game out of reach. He also had two costly interceptions, including one late in the fourth quarter that was returned for a touchdown.

His performance followed up another stagnant display by the offence in a loss to the Ottawa Redblacks just over a week ago. Winnipeg fell 44-21 that night, and though Nichols threw for his season-high 291 passing yards, and connected on two touchdowns, it wasn’t enough to guide his team to victory.

Nichols has yet to record a 300-yard passing game this season. Since returning in Week 4 from a knee injury, he has 10 touchdowns in seven games to go with seven interceptions.

For comparison, Calgary’s Bo Levi Mitchell, considered among the best quarterbacks in the CFL, ended Saturday with a career-high 452 yards and three touchdowns.

Still, if you were to ask Nichols’ teammates, whatever trust might be lost in the veteran pivot is only coming from those outside the locker room. Inside the room, those wearing blue and gold are more than confident they’ve got their guy.

“None, not at all,” Bombers right guard Sukh Chungh said when asked about No. 15 and the trust they have in him.

“It’s just continuity, man, we’ve been together for a while — the same front, the same QB, the same running back. There’s no questions on that.”

Left guard Patrick Neufeld echoed Chungh’s sentiments, he too saying “not at all” to any QB controversy. “It’s not even crossing anyone’s mind.”

Needless to say, Nichols, who is 25-12 as a starter for Winnipeg, will be back under centre next week when the Bombers take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the annual Labour Day Classic game Sunday in Regina.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jeffkhamilton