Turnovers cost Lions in late loss to Blue Bombers.
Posted October 8, 2016 4:10 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
WINNIPEG (NEWS 1130) – On a day when the Lions could’ve clinched a playoff spot, it was the Winnipeg Blue Bombers who executed like a post-season team late to get a 37-35 win.
BC had a chance to win it with less than a minute left but Maurice Leggett tackled running back Chris Rainey short of the sticks on third and a yard from the Bombers four.
There was some controversy when it looked like former Lion Andrew Harris fumbled on Winnipeg’s next possession. The officials looked at the replay and determined he was down, and the Bombers kept the ball.
Lions quarterback Jonathon Jennings finished with 427 yards in the air, but had two interceptions. Harris had 66 yards on the ground in his first game against his former team.
The Bombers are one game behind BC in the loss column.
Winnipeg got off to a good start. Harris caught a seven yard pass in the end zone from Nichols to open the scoring. Nichols then hit Rory Kohlert from the four, followed by a 16 yard score by Tim Flanders.
Justin Medlock’s 15 yard field goal midway through the second gave the Bombers a 21 point lead. The Lions came roaring back before the break. Rainey ran for a 56 yard score, while Anthony Allen had a three yard touchdown. Richie Leone kicked a field as time expired, cutting the lead to 24-20 at the half.
Leone and Medlock exchanged field goals early in the third, before Travis Lulay scored on a sneak giving the Lions a 30-27 lead after three.
The Lions had a 33-30 lead midway through the final quarter when Nichols had third touchdown pass of the game. He found Clarence Denmark for a 22 yard score putting the Bombers up four. Leggett’s tackle on Rainey sealed the win for Winnipeg.
The two teams will play the second of half of home and home Friday at BC Place.
