Nichols determined to get season back on track

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This article was published 01/08/2019 (2228 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TORONTO — Matt Nichols came into Winnipeg’s southern Ontario road trip riding a hot hand, a winner of 10 consecutive games as a starting quarterback.

The 32-year-old emerged from disappointing losses in Hamilton and Toronto with a determination to turn his season back on a successful track.

“We need to work harder and come out and execute better. I mean, it’s pro football, it’s minor details,” said Nichols, who completed 21 of 31 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown in the Blue Bombers’ 28-27 loss to the Argonauts at BMO Field Thursday night.

“I’m going to do everything I can to work even harder and get guys around me working harder and make sure we get back on track.”

After throwing three interceptions against the Ticats, Nichols kept a clean sheet against the Argos but it wasn’t enough. It didn’t help that Toronto’s offence had it’s best game of the season with quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson going 37-for-49 for 343 and three majors. After tossing nine interceptions earlier in the season, Bethel-Thompson also avoided giveaways.”

“They did a good job staying on the field as an offence, which limited our possessions,” said Nichols. “And then, yeah, it was the minor details here and there. Coming up just short of first downs. I know I missed a throw on an out route. It just comes down to minor details; we talk about it all the time.”

Toronto had 28 first downs to Winnipeg’s 20.

“They did a good job staying on the field as an offence, which limited our possessions,” added Nichols. “And then, yeah, it was the minor details here and there. Coming up just short of first downs. I know I missed a throw on an out route. It just comes down to minor details; we talk about it all the time.”

Slotback Nic Demski caught four passes for 19 yards and admitted he needed to do better.

“We’ve gotta finish drives, that’s the main thing,” said Demski. “That’s all I can really say. Receivers have to do a good job of catching the ball and making plays after the ball is in their hands. Can’t rely on Matt making great throws every play. That’s on us, too. I just wish we could’ve put more points on the board because I know we left a lot of points on the field today.”

The loss to the East Division cellar-dwellars was difficult to accept.

“We had a tough night last week and we had one tough night tonight,” said Nichols. “I mean, it’s not a skid. We haven’t played our best football the last two weeks. It’s just getting back to the details.”

Head coach Mike O’Shea was asked what Nichols needed to do better.

“That’s a question after we, unfortunately, look at the film,” said O’Shea. “I mean, I thought he delivered the ball. I thought he was patient, especially on that last touchdown. He stood in and delivered. Every player, not just Matt, wants a play back. If you add that up, that’s 24 plays so that’s a lot of football.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14