Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/540064
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2015 HOME GAME PLAYBOOK 3 What a difference a week can make, eh? T he Winnipeg Blue Bombers went from the talk of the league after a convincing win in Saskatchewan in Week 1 – their first in Regina in 11 years – to a frustrating 52-26 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at home. Adding to the pain, quarterback Drew Willy appeared to get his bell rung on a questionable hit in the first half, knocking him out of the game. But a change of fortune can swing both ways, and the team and fans will be looking for a rebound in Week 3 — and a date with the 1-1 Montreal Alouettes today is an opportunity to right the ship. It's been tough going for the Blue Bombers over the past few seasons. But when the Bombers and Als have renewed acquaintances, Winnipeg has seemed to bring their A-game and more often than not gotten the upper hand. In 2013, the team faced the Alouettes three times, winning twice and dropping a heartbreaker at the inaugural game at the then-new Investors Group Field by a 38-33 margin. Fast-forward a year and the Bombers got the better of the Als in both of their contests, starting with a last second 34-33 win in their first meeting of the season. In fact, since 2011 — the last time the Bombers made a trip to the Grey Cup — they own an 8-4 record. Not bad, considering since 2008 the Als are 12-9 against the Bombers. Flashing back to last season, when the Bombers and Als met in late August in their final meeting of the year, the teams were on different wavelengths. The Bombers, unbeknownst to them, were heading for a fall. Despite owning a 6-3 record after the win, dropping the Als to 1-6 on the year, the Bombers would be the ones to miss the playoffs while the Als rallied to a 9-9 record, good for second in the East Division. The win for the Bombers would be their last until a triumph in the final game against the Calgary Stampeders — who ended this season's Week 2 on a 1-1 par with Winnipeg. The Alouettes are expected to return to Rakeem Cato for the second straight week after losing both starter Jonathan Crompton and second-stringer Dan LeFevour to injuries in Week 1. Cato was impressive in a 29-11 win over the defending Grey Cup champions, posting 241 yards on 20 of 25 completions, three of those being touchdowns. The Bombers will also have to contend with running back Tyrell Sutton, who rumbled for 134 yards on 25 carries in Week 2. If the Bombers are to pull out the victory, they're going to need a higher performance from their defence. Although the team came out on top in Week 1, Winnipeg gave up 495 total yards of offence in Saskatchewan, including 212 on the ground. Last week, the Bombers gave up another 429. However, head coach Mike O'Shea wasn't pushing any panic buttons after their Week 2 performance. Drew Willy was already back on the field Monday, practicing with his teammates, and the Bombers are looking for a win at Investors Group Field tonight. Let's see what a difference this week makes. Home Field Advantage vs July 10 at Investors Group Field - 6:00 p.m. BLUE BOMBERS AND MONTREAL ALOUETTES MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEW SEASON By Scott Billeck for the Winnipeg Free Press H uddle with the Winnipeg Free Press before every Winnipeg Blue Bombers home game throughout the regular season. Meet members of the Blue Bomber Cheer & Dance Team, collect player profiles, catch up with Blue Bomber alumni and peruse the latest news on concessions, entertainment and Bombers in the community. Leading up to the 103rd Grey Cup Festival in Winnipeg Nov. 25 - 29, we're revisiting the home team's championship wins from 1935 to 1990 — and looking forward to a home field advantage with a special Grey Cup edition. Z Friday, June 19 Hamilton vs Winnipeg 26 15 Thursday, July 2 Hamilton vs Winnipeg 52 26 Friday, July 10 Montreal vs Winnipeg 6 p.m. Thursday, July 30 B.C. vs Winnipeg 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14 Toronto vs Winnipeg 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 Calgary vs Winnipeg 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 Saskatchewan vs Winnipeg 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25 Calgary vs Winnipeg 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 Edmonton vs Winnipeg 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 Ottawa vs Winnipeg 3 p.m. 2015 Home Game Schedule See www.bluebombers.com or www.ticketmaster.ca for season and single-game ticket information. Playoff Schedule Sunday, Nov. 15 Eastern and Western Semi-Finals Sunday, Nov. 22 Eastern and Western Finals Sunday, Nov. 29 103rd Grey Cup in Winnipeg 5 p.m. Winning Big One lucky fan scored a big 50/50 win at the July 2 game, picking up a cheque for $58,623. 50/50 tickets are sold at all Blue Bomber home games at Investors Group Field, with half the proceeds going to support amateur football and the other half going to a winning ticket holder. The winner at the June 19 preseason game received $36,695. Field of Dreams Last weekend, kids from the Big Brothers Big Sisters Winnipeg program had a dream sleepover at Investors Group Field, as part of the Dream Big Experience with Dufresne and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Kids got to hang out with players, members of the Bomber Cheer & Dance Team and mascots Buzz and Boomer, and unpack a sleepover kit containing a jersey, hat and T-shirt and pyjamas. Best of all, they got to take their beds home in the morning. It was the second year in a row that families received a new mattress and box spring from Dufresne, which also partners with the team to host a Big Brothers Big Sisters pair at each home game in the Better Game Seats Experience VIP area at the 55 yard line. Blue Bomber QB # 5 Drew Willy, looks over plays during practice at Investors Group Field Tuesday. Photo by Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press Drew Willy was already back on the field Monday, practicing with his teammates, and the Bombers are looking for a win at Investors Group Field tonight. Let's see what a difference this week makes.