Matt Nichols threw a pair of touchdown passes and the Winnipeg defense forced three turnovers in the Blue Bombers 29-23 victory over the Hamilton Tiger Cats Friday night at Investors Group Field.

“That was a tough game,” said Winnipeg head coach Mike O’Shea. “Hamilton’s a good football team and our guys played tough. What really helped us was our first half, taking the ball away a couple of times and playing close to penalty free football in the first half. That helped a lot. I’m sure we probably took some points off the board there for them. Excellent special teams, defense had very good pressure on Hamilton and we scored 29 points. I said it was going to take all three phases. It wasn’t perfect but it was a really good win.”

Weston Dressler and Nic Demski hauled in touchdown passes from Nichols who completed 13-of-24 for 180 yards and did not throw an interception.

Andrew Harris carried the ball 16 times for 82 yards and had a three-yard touchdown run.

The CFL’s leading rusher also caught four passes for 46 yards.

“Every yard we got in that second half was a tough one,” said Harris. “Our defense was lights out in the first half and came through in the second half late in the game. It was one of those games where you had to grind every yard out, every inch, and it was nice to come out on top.”

Justin Medlock kicked a pair of field goals.

His second of the night from 33 yards out with 1:22 left extended Winnipeg’s lead to six points.

The Blue Bombers defense sealed the deal forcing a turnover on downs with 43 seconds remaining.

“At the end of the day, that’s what great defenses do,” said linebacker Adam Bighill who recorded seven tackles, one quarterback sack and one forced fumble. “You finish games and you play all four quarters. It continues to add confidence when you play that way. We’re really building that chemistry and that brotherhood in the room and that trust for each other.”

Winnipeg’s record improved to 5-3.

The Blue Bombers will reach the midway point of the season on Friday, August 17th when they host the Ottawa Redblacks.


photo courtesy Winnipeg Football Club