Unbeaten Blue Bombers survive scare to beat Stampeders 26-19
WINNIPEG — Carlton Agudosi had a CFL debut most receivers can solely dream about.
The Blue Bombers slotback caught two landing passes to assist Winnipeg stay the league’s solely unbeaten group after a tense 26-19 victory over the Calgary Stampeders on Friday.
The six-foot-six Agudosi caught a 16-yard TD move from quarterback Zach Collaros late within the third quarter, after which jumped within the nook of the top zone to haul in a 10-yard landing move with 3:56 remaining within the fourth.
“It was wonderful. I am on Cloud 9,” mentioned the 28-year-old Agudosi, who hails from Somerset, N.J., and spent final season on Winnipeg’s observe roster. “I will take pleasure in if for tonight after which transfer on.”
The Bombers improved to 6-0 within the standings in entrance of a season-high 29,746 followers at IG Area. It is the primary time they’ve opened a season 6-0 since 1960. Their residence win streak additionally bumped as much as 13 video games (together with the playoffs).
The Stampeders missed various scoring alternatives and sit at 4-1 after a wild ending.
Calgary began at Winnipeg’s 53-yard line with 1:25 remaining, however Bo Levi Mitchell was sacked straight away by defensive finish Willie Jefferson. The drive ended with a move to Calgary receiver Kamar Jorden bouncing out of his fingers ultimately zone and into the open palms of Winnipeg defensive again Demerio Houston.
“I noticed the ball pop up and mentioned, ‘I gotta get this,’” Houston mentioned.
Jorden, who solely caught certainly one of seven passes thrown his manner, vowed to enhance when Calgary returns after a bye week.
“The group generally, they bought my again they usually’re undoubtedly saying it isn’t my fault,” Jorden mentioned. “However, , I maintain myself at a excessive customary. I anticipate to make these performs and I’ll subsequent time.”
Agudosi completed with six catches for 70 yards. Bombers receiver Greg Ellingson had 11 receptions for 152 yards.
Collaros accomplished 27-of-38 move makes an attempt for 315 yards with two TDs and no interceptions. Mitchell was 12-for-28 passing for 187 yards with one TD and one decide.
Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea praised Houston’s effort.
“There’s clearly a purpose why you run to the soccer. If you wish to be a very good professional soccer participant, it’s essential run on a regular basis,” O’Shea mentioned. “There’s Demerio operating after a crumb and it simply occurs to pop up and he’s proper on the spot to make the play.”
Winnipeg backup quarterback Dru Brown additionally pushed in for a one-yard TD.
Bombers kicker Marc Liegghio hit his longest discipline aim of the season from 48 yards out and related on one other from 17 yards. He was good on two of three converts.
Reggie Begelton caught a 19-yard TD move for Calgary. Rene Paredes made discipline objectives from 50, 39, 14 and 48 yards and added one convert.
Calgary led 7-3 after the primary quarter, the rating was tied 13-13 at halftime and Winnipeg led 20-16 after the third.
Mitchell mentioned the Stamps damage themselves.
“They’re who they’re for a purpose as a result of they pull out video games,” he mentioned of the two-time defending Gray Cup-champion Bombers. “They usually did not make these errors, we did.”
Liegghio opened the scoring along with his 48-yarder at 3:17, however the cheering did not final lengthy.
Calgary was pressured to punt on its subsequent collection, however Bombers returner Janarion Grant fumbled the ball and Stamps linebacker Silas Stewart recovered it. The subsequent play was Mitchell’s 19-yard TD move to Begelton for a 7-3 lead at 5:28.
After buying and selling discipline objectives early within the second quarter, Winnipeg went up 13-10 when Collaros related with Agudosi at 13:08.
Calgary tied it 13-13 with Paredes’ 39-yarder as time expired after Liegghio could not get a punt off or run sufficient to keep away from a turnover on downs.
The Stamps rolled out a six-play, 92-yard drive within the third quarter, but it surely ended with solely a 14-yard discipline aim at 5:33.
Brown’s TD made it 20-16 after a expensive Calgary penalty.
The Stamps had been known as for roughing the kicker after Liegghio went broad left on a 36-yard field-goal try. That gave the Bombers a primary down at Calgary’s 19-yard line and Brown scored at 11:10.
Calgary bought to Winnipeg’s two-yard line, however some miscommunication led to a turnover on downs. As Mitchell threw a move into the top zone, Begelton and Malik Henry bumped into one another attempting to catch the ball.
Stamps returner Peyton Logan additionally had a 63-yard TD on a punt return nixed due to a holding name at 3:07 into the fourth. They settled with Paredes’ 48-yarder at 5:22 to make it 20-19.
Liegghio missed the convert after Agudosi’s TD at 11:04.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Friday, July 15, 2022
Judy Owen, The Canadian Press
