Bombers game balls

By: Paul Wiecek Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014

OFFENCE

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/11/2014 (3990 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OFFENCE

Calgary running back Jon Cornish was well on his way to what looked like was going to be another very big day against the Bombers (12 carries, 105 yards) when he hit his head hard on the turf in the second quarter after a hit by Bombers defensive back Bruce Johnson. Cornish left the game after that, and the Stamps offence never did get back on track.

Bombers slotback Clarence Denmark had three catches for 58 yards — including a huge 42-yarder from Robert Marve in the third quarter — and ultimately accounted for almost one-third of Winnipeg’s 204 yards of net offence.

DEFENCE

Bombers linebacker Johnny Sears had a monster game, recovering three fumbles and dropping a fourth one on a blocked punt that would have been a Bombers touchdown. An honourable mention goes to Bombers defensive back Demond Washington, who did rare double duty — making five tackles on defence, while also playing a few offensive series as a receiver and recording a four-yard catch and a two-yard carry.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Bombers kicker Lirim Hajrullahu went 4-5 on field goals to finish 40-46 for the season. That’s an 87.0 per cent accuracy rate, which sets a new Bombers field-goal accuracy record, surpassing the 86.7 per cent record previously held by Justin Palardy. Hajrullahu also tied the CFL field-goal accuracy record for a rookie kicker, matching the 40-46 performance Justin Medlock also put up as a rookie in 2009.

CRITICAL NUMBERS

1,082

With 105 yards rushing in just a quarter and a bit against the Bombers, Calgary running back Jon Cornish went over 1,000 yards for the third straight season. Cornish has played just nine games in an injury-riddled 2014 season — and just six full games.

74-10

Including Saturday’s Winnipeg win, the record of CFL teams this season when they either win or tie the turnover battle.

The number of Calgary running backs who ran for 100-plus yards on Saturday (Matt Walter — 109; Jon Cornish — 105).

CONCERN FOR CORNISH:

Word out of the Stampeders locker-room Saturday night was running back Jon Cornish underwent standard concussion protocols after he left the game in the second quarter.

Cornish struck his head hard on the turf after he was tackled by Bombers defensive back Bruce Johnson. Cornish immediately went to the Stampeders locker-room but returned to stand on the Calgary sideline during the second half.

Cornish also sustained a concussion on opening weekend this season and he has played just six complete games and portions of three others this season.

Later Cornish tweeted:

“I learned last time that concussions are no joke. With that said I’ll wait a few days to see how I feel. Right now though, I’m pissed off.”

— Wiecek