Bombers improve playoff hopes with win over Als
By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Winnipeg, MB – Winnipeg quarterback Michael Bishop threw for 411 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while former Alouette receiver Terrence Edwards brought in six catches for 156 yards and a score as the Blue Bombers (7-9-0), took it to the visiting Alouettes (13-3-0) 41-24 on Saturday afternoon at Canad Inns Stadium.
With starting quarterback Anthony Calvillo nursing a minor leg injury on the sidelines, Adrian McPherson made his first career start and looked much better than the score would indicate.
McPherson showed great calmness and composure in the loss, completing 20 of 35 passes for 232 yards and a touchdown pass to Andrew Hawkins, while rushing for 95 yards and a touchdown of his own.
The sophomore quarterback provided the Alouette offence with an exciting new dimension, rushing at ease whenever his receivers were unable to find an open seam downfield. Needless to say, head coach Marc Trestman must have been impressed with the 26-year old’s play as he opted to keep McPherson in for the remainder of the game after a very modest first half of play.
In that first half, it was McPherson’s counterpart, Bishop, providing the fireworks for his Bombers, throwing both of his touchdowns late in the second quarter.
Bishop’s first major came with just 1:17 remaining in the half, connecting with Edwards for a 57-yard score to give the Bombers a 17-8 lead, only to strike again less than a minute later, this time finding receiver Titus Ryan for his first touchdown in a Winnipeg uniform to extend their lead to 24-9 at the half.
The second frame brought on much of the same for the Alouettes, as they were unable to build off of anything they may have materialized offensively.
On a brighter note for the Als however, Larry Taylor seemed back to his old self; the electrifying kick-returner registered 151 yards on nine kick-returns, providing the Als` with great field position all through the ball game.
The loss halts Montreal`s perfect record against East Division opponents and it also marks the first time this season that they have allowed more than 40 points in a game.
Notes
Ben Cahoon extended his streak of games with at least one reception to 125… He is now just 22 yards shy of his eight-consecutive 1,000-yard season.
The Als return home to Montreal for a rematch with the Blue Bombers on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 1:00 p.m., Eastern (RDS HD, TSN HD, CKAC SPORTS, CJAD 800 AM).
