Winnipeg Blue Bombers Game Day

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015 HOME GAME PLAYBOOK 3 WHEN THE BLUE BOMBERS TAKE THE FIELD AGAINST THE CALGARY STAMPEDERS TONIGHT AT INVESTORS GROUP FIELD, THEIR MISSION WILL BE TWO-PRONGED. P riority number one will be to win the game to keep their playoff hopes alive. At the same time – call it priority 1-a – their secondary mission will be to avenge a 36-8 loss to the Stamps suffered back on Aug. 29. Winnipeg (4-8) enters tonight's tilt looking for consistency in all phases of their game. And make no mistake about it, a complete 60-minute effort will be required to beat the western division leaders, who sport a sparkling 9-3 record coming into this important western division match-up. On defence, the Bombers' mission — and this one is mandatory — will be to stifle quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell. Through 12 games, the Texas native — who sports a passer rating of 95.3% — has thrown for 3,245 yards, good for 18 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. The key to limiting Mitchell — and a receiving corps that features the talented likes of Eric Rogers, Jeff Fuller, Marquay McDaniel and Canadian wide receiver Anthony Parker — will be the defensive line's ability to put consistent pressure on the QB. Back on July 18 — when the Blue Bombers suffered a narrow 26-25 loss to the Stamps — pressure from the front four was consistent, resulting in Mitchell going 12/21 for only 165 yards. Consequently, big games will be required from the main cogs in that front line — standout Jamaal Westerman, Bryant Turner Jr., Greg Peach, Justin Cole, Jake Thomas and Zach Anderson — to limit his effectiveness. At the same time, coverage from linebackers and the defensive backfield will need to be air- tight. Thanks to their size — Rogers goes 6-3, and 210 pounds while Fuller is even bigger at 6-4 and 217 pounds — the two super-sized wide-outs have dominated defensive backs all year long. Provided the Bombers' offence is productive enough to give the defence a rest and the D-line does its job, there's a very good chance that the linebackers and defensive backs will be able to shut down Calgary's receivers, much as they did when they shut out the Saskatchewan Roughriders during the second half of the Banjo Bowl. Of late, the Bombers' linebackers have been solid, led by Khalil Bass and steadily improving middle linebacker Sam Hurl. While the season-ending injury to linebacker Chris Randle was a blow, Maurice Leggett has stepped in and filled his spot more than capably, and the imminent return of Ian Wild at inside linebacker won't hurt, either. If the defensive backfield — newly re-signed Bruce Johnson, Matt Bucknor, Demond Washington, Johnny Adams and safety Lin-J Shell — are solid as per usual, Mitchell and company could get all, and quite possibly more, than they bargained for from the Bombers' defence. While the Big Blue's defence has, for the most part, been consistently good through the first two-thirds of the CFL season, the same can't be said for both the offence and special teams. Offensive production has been sporadic, while special teams play has consistently let the team down, often at critical junctures in games. The offensive line will need to provide vs September 25 at Investors Group Field - 7:30 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 7 22 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. 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. Z 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. Z 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. Z BLUE BOMBERS LOOK FOR SWEET REVENGE AGAINST CALGARY By Todd Lewys for the Winnipeg Free Press consistent (there's that word again) protection for quarterback Matt Nichols and open holes for running backs Chevon Walker and Cameron Marshall. Marshall was a bright spot in the 35- 14 loss to Montreal, rushing for 68 yards on 11 carries. Given a seam, Walker has the speed to break loose for long runs. Without question, pressure will be on the O-line to produce. Likewise, the club's special teams — coverage and kick returns — simply have to be better. Stamps return specialist Tim Brown will need to be held in check; and it's critical that returners provide the team with good field position. With a consistent effort in all phases of the game, the Blue Bombers can accomplish their main missions: keeping their playoff drive alive — and exacting some sweet revenge on the Stampeders. Z Supporting Amateur Sport The Winnipeg Rifles Football Club and 10 amateur football clubs and organizations under the Football Manitoba umbrella got plenty of support from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers last season, including more than $200,000 raised through 50/50 ticket sales at Investors Group Field. With three games left in the regular season, 50/50 ticket proceeds are on track to more than double this season — standing at more than $367,000 after rising by a whopping $78,213 at the Banjo Bowl. Proceeds from ticket sales are split 50/50, with half going to amateur sport and half going to winning ticket holders. Feeling lucky? Here are the payouts to 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 Sept. 12 — $78,213 COWBELLS Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Khalil Bass, left, tackles Calgary Stampeders' Jon Cornish during first half CFL football action in Calgary, Saturday, July 18, 2015. Photo by Jeff McIntosh, The Canadian Press

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