Matt Nichols gave the offense a spark but it just wasn't enough as Winnipeg Blue Bombers dropped a 33-18 decision to the Calgary Stampeders Thursday night at Investors Group Field and fell to 1-4 on the season.

Nichols made his first appearance of the 2016 CFL season and hooked up with Weston Dressler for an 18-yard touchdown pass with 7:49 left in the fourth quarter.

The successful two-point convert - Nichols to Dressler - cut the Stampeders lead to 26-18 but Calgary answered right back as Bo Levi Mitchell threw his third touchdown pass of the game to Simon Charbonneau-Campeau which clinched the outcome.

Dressler finished the night with 12 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown.

Nichols replaced Drew Willy after the Bombers starting quarterback was intercepted by Stamps linebacker Joe Burnett who went 34 yards for a touchdown with 4:07 gone in the fourth quarter.

"All three phases kind of take turns shooting ourselves in the foot," answered Nichols when he tried to explain the football team's lack of success. "As a team, all you can really do is show up the next day and put in the work and try to correct the mistakes."

Head coach Mike O'Shea was in no hurry to name his starting quarterback when the Blue Bombers face the Grey Cup champion Edmonton Eskimos next Thursday at Commonwealth Stadium.

"That's a decision we'll make later on in the week. Matt's been ready to go as every backup is. Quincy McDuffie has a great return, gives us a spark, puts us in good field position and we capitalized. I'll sit down with the offensive coaching staff and we'll watch the film together and we'll figure things out."

Justin Medlock accounted for Winnipeg's first 10 points with three field goals and a 60-yard punt single.

The running game struggled again on Thursday night.

Andrew Harris carried the ball 10 times for 28 yards and was asked where his frustration level is?

"It's pretty high but I've been around this before," answered Harris. "I was 0-5 before when we won the Grey Cup. I've been around the worst of it and fought back and been successful. It can be done. I think we have the right tools in this room to get it done. We just need to rally around it and play our hearts out every day. That starts from recovery day tomorrow. We need to fight hard and stick together."

Injuries also hurt the Blue Bombers as cornerback Macho Harris, safety Chris Randle, halfback Julian Posey and offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick were all sidelined.


photos by Merle Peters