WINNIPEG – Andrew Harris rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers overcame six turnovers in a 21-17 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the West Division final on Sunday.
The result set up a Gray Cup rematch next weekend in Hamilton. Defending Gray Cup champion Blue Bombers will face the Tiger-Cats at Tim Hortons Field after Hamilton defeated Toronto 27-19 in the Eastern final.
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Harris, who played his first game since Oct. 15 due to a knee injury, had 23 carries and a three-yard TD run in front of 31,160 fans at IG Field, who braved intermittent snow, gusty winds and the icy wind. that made it feel like minus -20 C.
Winnipeg ended a 28-season CFL title drought by defeating Hamilton 33-12 in the 2019 championship game. The 2020 Gray Cup was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Bombers finished first in the Western Division this season and earned a free pass to the Finals after posting an 11-3 record in a shortened 14-game season. Saskatchewan went 9-5 and beat the Calgary Stampeders 33-30 in overtime in the semifinal.
Winnipeg also got touchdowns Sunday from catcher Rasheed Bailey and backup quarterback Sean McGuire in one attempt. Kicker Sergio Castillo made all three conversions.
William Powell had a one-yard touchdown run for Saskatchewan and Duke Williams caught a pass for a 67-yard touchdown to catch and run. Brett Lauther was good on two conversions, kicking a 16-yard field goal and missing a 36-yard attempt.
Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros, the Division West nominee for outstanding player, completed 17 of 21 pass attempts for 229 yards with one TD and three interceptions.
Cody Fajardo completed 19 of 27 passes for 265 yards and a TD for the visitors.
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The score was tied 7-7 after the first quarter, Saskatchewan led 10-7 at halftime and the Riders held a 17-14 lead after the third.
Five of Winnipeg’s six first-half drives ended on turnovers, including three interceptions and a pair of fumbles. A sixth was added in the third quarter.
On the game’s first possession, Collaro threw Nic Demski into the back of the end zone, but the ball bounced off his hands and fell into the hands of Riders defensive back Ed Gainey. The turnover did not lead to any points.
On Winnipeg’s next drive, Collaros completed a pass to Drew Wolitarsky near the Saskatchewan goal line, but Riders defensive back Loucheiz Purifoy snatched the ball out of his hands and teammate Elie Bouka picked it up. and ran 94 yards.
This time, the loss led Powell to a one-yard touchdown at 7:00.
The Bombers responded with a 71-yard six-play drive capped by Bailey’s TD catch at 11:21.
The second quarter opened with Riders defensive back Nick Marshall intercepting Collaros, a turnover that led to an eight-play, 65-yard drive and a 16-yard field goal by Lauther at 5:02.
With five minutes to go in the second quarter, Collaros was under pressure and threw the ball into the hands of Riders linebacker Nigel Harris at Saskatchewan’s 29-yard line. The visitors could not increase their advantage.
Saskatchewan would force a fifth fumble after Collaros connected with Bailey, who was punched by Bouka at the Riders’ 31-yard line. Linebacker Deon Lacey picked up the fumble, but Saskatchewan again couldn’t capitalize on the gift.
The Riders opened the second half with their first loss, but Winnipeg soon added a sixth loss.
After Fajardo toppled Duke Williams, Bombers defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat forced the quarterback to turn the ball over on the next possession and Jake Thomas recovered.
Winnipeg took control at his own 37-yard line, but on the third and three Bombers kickers, Marc Liegghio appeared to fake a punt, or missed one, and ran and was stopped before the first attempt, counting a turnover. in bad times.
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Lauther ended up swinging to the right on a 36-yard field goal attempt and Janarion Grant ran the ball 58 yards to Winnipeg’s 39-yard line.
The Bombers used their effort to march down the field for Harris’ three-yard TD run at 13:39 for their first lead of the game, 14-10.
The leader then changed hands twice. Williams had his TD, but the Bombers responded with a one-yard quarterback from McGuire for a 21-17 lead at Winnipeg at 6:34 of the quarter.
Williams was injured during a 31-yard reception with 2:14 remaining. The work was reviewed and the reception was maintained.
The Riders continued the drive from Winnipeg 53, but turned the ball over on downs.
This Canadian Press report was first published on December 5, 2021.
© 2021 The Canadian Press
Reference-globalnews.ca