The Fifth Quarter

By: Adam Wazny Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Friday, Jul. 15, 2011

GAME BALLS

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/07/2011 (5168 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

GAME BALLS

Offence

Let’s give the ball to WR Cory Watson, who above being the busiest Bomber receiver (six catches for 98 yards) is showing an ability to catch the football in traffic. That’s an attractive quality given the uncertainty at quarterback following the game.

Defence

A group ball for the Bombers here. Odell Willis continues to be a sack machine. Two more Thursday, pushing his season total to five. He also had a forced fumble. Also tough to overlook the CFL debut of DE Kenny Mainor, what with his two sacks and blocked field goal in the first

half.

Special Teams

Though Winnipeg P Mike Renaud shanked one into a gusty wind early in the evening, he gets high marks for the one punt he angled out of bounds at the Calgary six-inch line. Quality work. He finished with eight punts for a 46 yard average.

FAN-O-METER

Gasps — not cheers — were some of the loudest sounds emanating from the 27,890 in attendance every time QB Buck Pierce took a hard shot in the opening half. This is the new reality of the Winnipeg pivot position: Holding onto the ball that extra second leaves everyone in

Blue and Gold holding their collective breath.

BY THE NUMBERS

The number of points the impressive Winnipeg defence gave up in the first half. Calgary’s lone touchdown came on a 66-yard interception return by Keon Raymond in the second quarter.

4, 2

The number of interceptions and touchdowns thrown by Pierce through the first two and a half games this season. He hasn’t looked sharp and now he’s banged up. Bad combination.

— Adam Wazny