The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4-3) hosted the Toronto Argonauts (2-6) from Princess Auto Stadium on Friday night in a rematch from last week. Chris Streveler got the start at quarterback as Zach Collaros was out with a neck injury.
First Quarter:
Winnipeg got the ball to start the game at the 35-yard line. Quarterback Chris Streveler threw two passes for 15 yards, leading the offense to the 37-yard line. The drive stalled, and kicker Sergio Castillo missed a 45-yard field goal when the ball hit the left upright, resulting in a dead ball.
Later in the first quarter, Winnipeg quarterback Chris Streveler’s pass intended for Kevens Clercius, was deflected by Toronto defensive lineman Anthony Lanier II. Toronto linebacker Cameron Judge intercepted it and took it to the house for a 47-yard pick-six touchdown. Toronto took a 7-0 lead with 8:29 left.
On the kickoff, Toronto kicker Lirim Hajrullahu kicked the ball to Trey Vaval. Vaval followed his blockers and avoided several tackles on his way to scoring a 93-yard touchdown. The game was tied 7-7 with 8:26 left.
Late in the first quarter, Winnipeg quarterback Chris Streveler threw an 11-yard pass to Jerreth Sterns, followed by Nic Demski rushing for 20 yards to the 29-yard line. Winnipeg’s offense continued to move the ball until reaching the nine-yard line.
On the next play, Winnipeg was set in a quarterback sneak position. Streveler’s blockers opened a hole for him, and he scored the touchdown. The Blue Bombers took a 14-7 lead heading into the second quarter to cap off a six-play drive for 60 yards.
Winnipeg’s offense had 76 yards (30 yards passing, 51 yards rushing, 5 yards lost), and Toronto’s offense had 17 yards (14 yards passing, 5 yards rushing, 2 yards lost). Toronto was undisciplined with five penalties for 50 yards.
Second Quarter:
In the second quarter, Toronto quarterback Nick Arbuckle threw three passes for 39 yards to the 36-yard line. After the drive stalled, kicker Lirim Hajrullahu made a 43-yard field goal. Toronto trailed Winnipeg 14-10 with 5:07 left. Later, Winnipeg’s offense marched down to the 38-yard line before the drive stalled. Kicker Sergio Castillo made a 46-yard field goal for a 17-10 lead with 2:12 left.
On first down, Winnipeg’s defense pressured Nick Arbuckle. Defensive lineman Willie Jefferson stripped the ball out of Arbuckle’s hand. Jay Person scooped up the ball and scored a 28-yard touchdown. Winnipeg extended its lead to 24-10 with 2:03 left.
After Toronto went two-and-out, punter Josh Haggerty punted the ball 50 yards to Trey Vaval. Vaval made several juke moves and followed his blockers to score a 97-yard touchdown. It was now 31-10 with 50 seconds left before the half.
Toronto’s offense marched down to the 18-yard line. Kicker Lirim Hajrullahu made a 25-yard field goal. The Argonauts trailed the Blue Bombers 31-13 at halftime.
Third Quarter:
In the third quarter, Toronto’s offense moved the ball to the 16-yard line. On the next play, quarterback Nick Arbuckle bought himself time by scrambling out of the pocket. Then, he threw the ball to Damonte Coxie, who made the catch for a 16-yard touchdown. The Argonauts trailed the Blue Bombers 31-20 with 11:23 left to cap off a seven-play drive for 75 yards.
Later in the third quarter, Toronto quarterback Nick Arbuckle threw two passes for 24 yards to the 17-yard line. On the next play, Arbuckle threw the ball in the endzone intended for Damonte Coxie, but it was incomplete. However, a pass interference penalty on Winnipeg placed the ball on the one-yard line. Toronto was unable to get into the endzone, and kicker Lirim Hajrullahu made a nine-yard field goal. Toronto trailed Winnipeg 31-23 with 5:42 left.
Late in the third quarter, Winnipeg’s offense moved the ball to the 41-yard line. Kicker Sergio Castillo made a 49-yard field goal. The Blue Bombers led the Argonauts 34-23 with 2:33 left.
On Winnipeg’s next possession, quarterback Chris Streveler attempted to throw the ball to Keric Wheatfall. The ball tipped off the hands of Toronto defensive back Mark Milton, and it was intercepted by Benjie Franklin at the 45-yard line. After going two-and-out, Toronto punter Josh Haggerty punted the ball 85 yards. The ball bounced into the endzone and out of bounds for a single point. The Argonauts trailed the Blue Bombers 34-24 heading into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter:
In the fourth quarter, Winnipeg’s offense moved the ball to the 25-yard line before the drive stalled. Kicker Sergio Castillo made a 33-yard field goal for a 37-24 lead with 8:47 left.
Toronto quarterback Nick Arbuckle threw a 14-yard pass to Damonte Coxie at the 54-yard line. On the next play, Arbuckle threw the ball again to Coxie, this time for a 54-yard touchdown. The Argonauts trailed the Blue Bombers 37-31 with 8:05 left.
On the kickoff, kicker Lirim Hajrullahu kicked the ball 43 yards. The ball hit Quinton Cooley, and it was recovered by Toronto defensive back Jonathan Edouard at the 37-yard line. On the next play, Nick Arbuckle attempted to throw the ball to David Ungerer III. However, Winnipeg linebacker Tony Jones extended his arms to make the interception. He returned it for 15 yards to the 49-yard line.
Winnipeg’s offense marched down the field to the 14-yard line. On the next play, quarterback Chris Streveler attempted to throw the ball to Jerreth Sterns. Toronto defensive back Tarvarus McFadden got in front of Sterns to make a leaping interception in the endzone with 2:50 left.
Toronto went two-and-out. Late in the fourth quarter, Winnipeg put the game away when kicker Sergio Castillo made a 31-yard field goal. The Blue Bombers defeated the Argonauts 40-31 to snap a three-game losing streak.
Final Stats:
Winnipeg had 265 yards on offense (173 yards passing, 116 yards rushing, 24 yards lost), 17 first downs, 1 for 3 in the redzone, and the team was penalized five times for 51 yards. Quarterback Chris Streveler completed 17 of 21 passes (81%) for 173 yards, three interceptions, four carries for 25 yards, and one rushing touchdown.
Running back Brady Oliveira had 17 carries for 50 yards. Wide receiver Nic Demski led the receivers making five catches for 67 yards, while Jerreth Sterns made six catches for 53 yards.
The defense made 29 tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one interception, and one touchdown. Winnipeg defensive lineman Willie Jefferson had six knockdowns and a strip sack that led to a touchdown. Trey Vaval had a good night with one kick return for 93 yards, one touchdown, seven punt returns for 145 yards, and one touchdown.
Toronto had 321 yards on offense (327 yards passing, 8 yards rushing, 14 yards lost), 14 first downs, 1 for 3 in the redzone, and the team was penalized nine times for 97 yards. Quarterback Nick Arbuckle completed 22 of 39 passes (56.4%) for 327 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
Running back Deonta McMahon had three carries for five yards. Wide receiver Damonte Coxie led the receivers making nine catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns, while DaVaris Daniels made four catches for 52 yards. The defense made 52 tackles, one tackle for loss, five sacks, and three interceptions.
Next week, the Toronto Argonauts host the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday at 3 pm on TSN, CTV, CBS Sports Network, and CFL+, followed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers visiting the Calgary Stampeders at 7 pm on TSN, CBS Sports Network, and CFL+.
