The fifth quarter

Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Saturday, Jul. 3, 2010

GAME BALLS: OFFENCE

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/07/2010 (5637 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

GAME BALLS:

OFFENCE

As far as debuts go, yeah…well, we guess that was OK. Winnipeg QB Buck Pierce was smart and steady, going 17-of-25 for 291 yards and two TD passes. He rushed six times for 89 yards, ending most of those scampers with a slide. He also ran one in for a major, too.

DEFENCE

The push was relentless and Hamilton’s run game was non-existent for long stretches, so this goes to the Bombers defensive line, led by Phillip Hunt. The DE had three sacks, a forced fumble, and terrorized Ticats QB Kevin Glenn all night.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Marcus Thigpen provided a good chunk of Hamilton offence. First, he returned the opening kick-off 90 yards for a touchdown. He followed that up with a 118-yard missed field goal return for another major in the fourth quarter.

CRITICAL NUMBERS:

-2 That was the net offence for Hamilton at halftime. The Winnipeg front seven was stifling, forcing Glenn to hurry throws and holding RB Deandra Cobb to just 12 yards in the first 30 minutes. Glenn kept his team afloat in the second half, but the slow start cost the Ticats.

90 That was the yardage on the touchdown pass from Pierce to Terrence Edwards in the second quarter. Not only did it give Winnipeg a lead they wouldn’t relinquish, but it also eclipsed Winnipeg’s longest play from scrimmage last season (a 65-yard pass and run from Michael Bishop to Titus Ryan).

26,302 The attendance was maybe the only disappointing number for the Blue and Gold Friday night. Season opener, beautiful night, division rival, new Bombers leadership – and it’s not a sell-out?

3 The number of field goals knocked through the posts by Bombers kicker Alexis Serna. That would usually be a good night, but the special teams unit struggled off the human tee, missing as many as they made.

— Adam Wazny

Winnipeg Hamilton

First downs 19 15

Yds rushing 211 93

Yds passing 291 197

Total offence 504 290

Time of possession 33:43 26:17

Turnovers 2 4

Sacks 6 4

Penalties-Yards 8-55 10-70