Winnipeg Blue Bombers Game Day

September 12

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WINNIPEG FREE PRESS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2015 HOME GAME PLAYBOOK 3 T he marquee game on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers schedule often gives the Bombers a chance to redeem themselves after a disappointing result a week earlier. And this year is no different. The Bombers extended their Labour Day Classic losing streak to 11 games last Sunday, falling 37-19 to the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, and fans are once again looking for comfort and a tick in the win column with the annual rematch at Investors Group Field today. The Banjo Bowl has been somewhat kinder to the Blue and Gold — the Bombers have won four times in the last 10 years. It's not perfect, but it beats the heck out of the Labour Day Classic record. The Roughriders and their fans are arriving in Winnipeg with a modicum of momentum on their side, having broken a 0-9 losing streak with their first win of the season last Sunday. Their first loss of the season also came courtesy of the Blue Bombers, who ended an 11-year losing streak at Mosaic Stadium by winning the season opener in Regina. The Riders turnaround came after the club cut loose general manager Brendan Taman and head coach Corey Chamblin. Bob Dyce took on the head coach job for the Labour Day Classic, putting Brett Smith in as starting quarterback, and he'll be looking to the team to repeat its winning performance today. The question of who will start at pivot for the Bombers has been a mainstay this season, with Drew Willy being injured on three separate occasions, leading to weeks filled with uncertainty. The acquisition of Edmonton Eskimos quarterback Matt Nichols by the Bombers for a conditional seventh-round selection in 2017 may provide the stop-gap the Bombers have been looking for. Nichols' career numbers are serviceable, completing 61% of his passes, with 19 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. His career quarterback rating rests at 82.1. He completed 27 of 39 attempts for 300 yards in a 30-5 win over Saskatchewan on July 31. In his last game with the Eskimos, he completed 12 of 19 passes for 138 yards and an interception against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. With Robert Marve being placed on the six- game injured list, and with Brian Brohm's quarterback rating at a lower number than his age, the Bombers will likely lean on Nichols until either he becomes a victim of the injury bug or Willy returns. Regardless of who starts, this is the eighth year in a row that the Bombers will see a different quarterback at the helm of the offence. Perhaps the most memorable win in Banjo Bowl history for the Bombers came back in 2013 — the lead changed five times and they were down 12-10 after the first half. The Bombers ended up winning the game — chalking up their first ever victory at Investors Group Field — with former Saskatchewan Huskies star Rory Kohlert and former Roughrider Drew Willy in instrumental roles for the Blue and Gold. Defensive back Graig Newman, Chad Rempel and Dominic Picard are among the Bombers who've suited up for the Roughriders in the past, and doubtless many fans at IGF will be cheering for players on both teams. The Banjo Bowl marks the third and final match between the Bombers and Roughriders this season. ❚ vs September 12 at Investors Group Field - 5:30 p.m. Home Field Advantage 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 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. Friday, June 19 Hamilton vs Winnipeg 26 15 Thursday, July 2 Hamilton vs Winnipeg 52 26 Friday, July 10 Montreal vs Winnipeg 23 25 Thursday, July 30 B.C. vs Winnipeg 13 23 Friday, Aug. 14 Toronto vs Winnipeg 27 20 Saturday, Aug. 29 Calgary vs Winnipeg 36 8 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. Left: New Winnipeg Blue Bomber quarterback Matt Nichols at practice at Investors Group Field. Photo by Joe Bryska Below: Former Roughrider, and current Blue Bomber Graig Newman. Photo by Boris Minkevich Video Replays Post-game interviews and game recaps are posted on the Blue Bombers website at www.bluebombers. com/video. Bookmark the site for frequent updates, along with just-for-fun features. ❚ Spread Some Luck Around Last season, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers raised more than $200,000 for the Winnipeg Rifles Football Club and Football Manitoba through 50/50 ticket sales at Investors Group Field. This season, 50/50 ticket proceeds are already up almost 50%, and supporting amateur sport has been good karma for fans, too. Proceeds from ticket sales are split 50/50 with winning ticket holders, who have taken home more than $289,000 so far this season. The payouts by game date: June 19 — $36,695 July 2 — $58,623 July 10 — $46,658 July 30 — $51,748 Aug. 14 — $46, 830 Aug. 29 — $49,163 BOMBERS NEED PLUCK ON THEIR SIDE IN BANJO BOWL Strike a hot chord, it's time for the Banjo Bowl. BATTLE & STRUM Practice Makes Perfect You don't always need a ticket to see the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in action — team practices are open to the public. Occasionally, practices are held on the field beside the Winnipeg Indoor Soccer Complex rather than at Investors Group Field, but you can still bring your Blue Bombers lawn chair and watch from the sidelines. Keep tabs on the location and practice schedule at www. bluebombers.com/media_schedule. ❚ Family of the Game Enter to be named the Manitoba Beef Producers Family of the Game and you could win four tickets to a Blue Bombers home game, where you'll enjoy a sideline experience and appear on the video boards before kickoff. Go to www.bluebombers.com/manitoba-beef- producers-family-of-the-game to learn about families who have won tickets so far this season, then submit an entry that explains why your family should win. ❚

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