Winnipeg Blue Bombers Game Day

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2015 HOME GAME PLAYBOOK 3 A fter last week's heartbreaking 25-23 loss to Calgary — in which a phantom penalty call (no end) derailed the Bombers' chances of winning, or at the very least tying the game in its waning moments — the Big Blue need to erase that frustrating defeat from their memories and concentrate on finding a way to bounce back and beat Edmonton. The ability to rebound is crucial. With five games left to play in the 2015 season, the Blue Bombers are still in the hunt for a playoff spot, thanks to losses by Montreal and B.C. last weekend. Consequently, Winnipeg's sole focus will be to put a win on the board against the 9-4 Eskimos, who themselves are in a battle for first place in the west with the 10-3 Stampeders. To accomplish that goal, the Bombers will need to focus tightly on the positives that came out of the Calgary game, namely a complete team effort that saw the club, for the most part, play well in every facet of the game. For starters, quarterback Matt Nichols and the offence will need to replicate their effort — at least, the effort they put up in quarters one, two and four — against Calgary. Nichols was solid, completing 18 of 28 passes for 234 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Meanwhile, the running game was serviceable, putting up 69 yards on a combined 15 carries —10 by Cameron Marshall, 21 by Chevon Walker, 11 by Nichols (for a key first down) and eight by Michel-Pierre Pontbriand. On the downside, the same O-line that opened up some nice holes for the running backs allowed five sacks, a figure that must be improved upon against the Eskimos, who lead the CFL with 34 sacks. The onus will also be on Nichols to manage the game as well as he did against Calgary, with the exception of the third quarter, in which the offence ground to a halt. With Edmonton allowing only 18.3 points per game, offensive production will need to be consistent through 60 minutes, a formidable task against tackle master J.C. Sherritt, and a defence that's strong from the front four to the linebackers and back into the secondary. At the same time, the Bombers' defence will need to replicate last week's spirited effort against the Stamps. While the Eskimos' offence isn't quite as potent as Calgary's — it's ranked fourth in the league, two spots behind the Stamps — Winnipeg will have to deal with the return of quarterback Mike Reilly, who's killed the Bombers in the past. As was the case last week, defensive end Jamaal Westerman will have to have a big game (he recorded two sacks and three tackles against Calgary), while mates Maurice Leggett (six tackles) and Khalil Bass (six tackles) — along with DB Demond Washington (five tackles) — will also have to post similar numbers for the defensive line to limit the offensive exploits of Reilly and company. And much like the game with Calgary, the Big Blue's secondary must limit big plays. In the past, former Bomber Adarius Bowman — with his height and overall size — has been a thorn in their side. An Edmonton receiving corps that features the likes of fine Canadian Nate Coehoorn, Devon Bailey and Derel Walker, who hauled in eight passes for 121 yards against the Lions last week, will also have to be neutralized. Focus will also be the key to the success of special teams who, for the first time in a long while, were much better last week against Calgary. The return game was solid, with Troy Stoudermire — who also recorded an interception on defence — racking up a total of 137 yards on punt and kickoff returns. A similar effort will be required to ensure the Bombers start with a good field position, a must against the Esks' tenacious defence. With a playoff spot on the line, the coverage unit can not afford any lapses against the elusive Kendial Lawrence, who averaged over 22 yards on kickoffs last week against the Lions. The Bombers' coverage unit allowed only one big return (by Joe Burnett) and no touchdowns versus Calgary. Coverage will need to be as solid — or better — against the Eskimos. If the Blue Bombers can build on their gritty effort against the Stamps and focus on the present rather than the past, the result could be a win that will put them right back in the centre of the western division playoff race. Z vs October 3 at Investors Group Field - 3:00 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 25 23 Saturday, Oct. 3 Edmonton vs Winnipeg 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 Ottawa vs Winnipeg 3 p.m. Video Replays Post-game interviews with players and coaches 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 videos and other features. 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 for your own family. Happy Birthday, True Blue Belated birthday greetings to Bombers running back Paris Cotton, who turned 26 yesterday. Injured quarterback Drew Willy's birthday is coming up right after Thanksgiving, too. Want to wish someone on your team a happy birthday or make another announcement on the video board during a Blue Bomber home game? There is limited space to accommodate requests on a first-come, first- served basis. Requests must be made at least three days in advance of the game, and there is a fee. For information, see www.bluebombers.com/video- board-birthday-and-anniversary- messages. FOCUS IS KEY TO BOMBERS SUCCESS By Todd Lewys for the Winnipeg Free Press TODAY'S MID-AFTERNOON WEST DIVISION CLASH BETWEEN THE WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS AND THE SURGING EDMONTON ESKIMOS WILL BE ABOUT ONE THING — FOCUS. From Left: Winnipeg Blue Bombers #15 Matt Nichols, #24 Chevon Walker and #1 Troy Stoudermire during CFL action against the Calgary Stampeders, September 25. Photos by David Lipnowski Raising the 50/50 Bar 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 two games left in the regular season, 50/50 ticket proceeds have already more than doubled this season — standing at over $400,000. 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 Sept. 25 — $41,700

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