Flanders flat-out fabulous in debut

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This article was published 18/09/2016 (3303 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NOTHING surprised Mike O’Shea about the stand-out performance of stand-in tailback Timothy Flanders Saturday afternoon.

“That’s why he’s here,” the Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach said after his team’s 46-29 win over the Toronto Argonauts.

The Blue Bombers invoked their running back insurance policy just minutes prior to their date with the visiting Argos at Investors Group Field.

Flanders, who said he found out he’d be starting roughly an hour before kickoff, took the lion’s share of first-team reps this week with starter Andrew Harris on the mend following a knock sustained in Winnipeg’s victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in last Sunday’s Banjo Bowl.

Harris didn’t practise all week, but as was the case heading into Week 1 of the season, became a game-time decision. Harris featured in Week 1, and every week since up until Saturday, making it a long wait for Flanders, who has spent much of the season the club’s practice roster.

“It’s hard, I’m a competitor. I always want to play,” Flanders said following his first CFL start. “I’ve never just sat there and practised, you know, practise, practise, practise. It’s something I had to get used to but I feel like I’m good now.”

Flanders made the most of his opportunity eclipsing the century mark in rushing yards with 102 on 19 carries.

The 24-year-old from Sam Houston State made his mark on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter, punching the ball across the goal line from two yards out. His major proved to be the game winner as the Bombers’ offence dropped 27 unanswered points after the Argos went up 29-19 early in the third.

“I can’t say enough about Timothy Flanders,” O’Shea said. “He does all the scout team work on special teams and he pays such close attention to what the opponent is doing.

“Those are the little things a coach notices and says, ‘Holy man, that is awesome.’ So I’m very happy for Timothy Flanders that he got his opportunity and did great with it.”

Flanders didn’t pull a fast one on his quarterback either.

“I follow the FCS (Football Conference Subdivision of NCAA Division I), he’s from Sam Houston State on (Nichols’ alma mater) Eastern Washington (State’s) level,” said Matt Nichols. “I remember seeing his name for about four straight years, seemed like he was rushing for 200 yards a game. I just remember his name because Flanders is easy to remember.

“He’s a hard worker and a guy I knew was ready to go. I knew he was going to have that type of day today.”

What’s next for Flanders? After Saturday’s performance, and the pending return of Harris, he’s not sure.

“We’ll see what the coaches do and do what they ask,” he said.”

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @scottbilleck

Scott Billeck
Reporter

Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the Free Press. A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade’s worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024.  Read more about Scott.

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