Simpson busts out for biggest game of season

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This article was published 22/09/2012 (5125 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG Blue Bombers rookie running back Chad Simpson had the first 100-plus yard rushing game of his pro career and the first by a Bomber this season Friday night at Canad Inns Stadium, helping the Bombers snap a four-game losing skid.

The 5-9, 204-pound Simpson had 19 carries for 134 yards to help lead the Bombers (3-9) to a 34-12 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (4-8) before a crowd of 26,577, which was hungry for a win.

“It’s satisfying, we got one (win) under the belt, but we’ve got to keep going. A good running back doesn’t get 100 yards once,” said Simpson who also had four catches for 58 yards.

“We’ve just got to keep climbing, that’s the thing. We’ve got to keep building off this. We can’t win this game and take four steps back by losing a game. We’ve got to build off this win and keep the mojo going.”

Simpson pointed to the return of Bombers quarterback Buck Pierce, who had missed the past eight games due to a left-foot tendon injury, as the key to the production on offence. Pierce completed 21-of-31 passes for 288 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He was sacked four times.

“It was Buck coming back, pitching the ball as he was, coach (offensive co-ordinator Gary) Crowton doing a nice mix-up of calling the plays and the O-line, they were doing well tonight,” Simpson said. “We had fun. And I think that contributed.”

Bombers head coach Tim Burke, who got his first win as a CFL head coach, said he talked to the team before the game about needing to get the ground game rolling.

“With the wind conditions (gusting up to 59 kilometres per hour), that dictated we needed to run the ball more,” Burke said. “Once we got it going there was a lot of confidence, so we kept running.”

After going nearly 15 quarters with no offensive touchdowns, there were three offensive TDs on Friday night — one by air and two on the ground. Simpson helped set up the second one, catching a pass for 34 yards to set the stage for a seven-yard TD catch by Kito Poblah, the first of his CFL career.

Simpson took some good-natured ribbing from backup quarterback Justin Goltz in the dressing room afterwards about getting tripped up on the play as he tried to gain more yards after the catch.

“First of all, I should have scored. A running back shouldn’t get tripped up by one guy. (Goltz) is saying you’re never supposed to get tackled by an arm,” Simpson said. “As long as we won, that’s what I’m happy about.”

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPAshleyPrest