Oct 18, 2009 - 8:43 PM
0 shoutsWINNIPEG, Manitoba (CP) - B.C. running back A.J. Harris' first start of the season ended with the game-winning touchdown in the Lions' 24-21 come-from-behind win Sunday over the Blue Bombers.
Harris, replacing injured starter Martel Mallet, scored his key TD on a 30-yard pass from quarterback Travis Lulay following a Bomber turnover early in the fourth quarter.
B.C. starting QB Buck Pierce was sidelined midway through the first quarter after injuring his shoulder after he fumbled the ball.
The victory was B.C.'s third in a row and improved their record to 8-7. They're one point behind Calgary and Saskatchewan, who are tied for first in the CFL West Division with 8-6-1 records.
The loss stopped Winnipeg's three-game winning streak and took their record to 6-9 in front of 24,048 fans at Canad Inns Stadium. They remain tied with Hamilton for second in the East.
B.C. cornerback Dante Marsh also scored a TD off an 18-yard interception return.
Lions Kicker Paul McCallum connected on his three field-goal tries from 13, 37 and 47 yards. He added a punt single.
Winnipeg got its lone TD off a 10-yard Brock Ralph catch.
Bombers Kicker Alexis Serna was good on four of six field-goal attempts from 39, 30, 12 and 17 yards. He notched singles off missed tries from 38 and 47 yards.
The teams committed nine turnovers, five by B.C.
Winnipeg scored seven points off B.C.'s miscues, while the Lions used their gifts to add 17 points to their score.
Winnipeg led 14-0 after the first quarter, but the game was tied 17-17 at halftime.
The teams committed five turnovers in the first half, three in the first quarter by B.C.
The Bombers had all the first-quarter's scoring, beginning with their first series that ended with Ralph's TD. The three-play, 65-yard drive included a 52-yard catch-and-run play by receiver Adarius Bowman.
Pierce was intercepted by Winnipeg cornerback Jovon Johnson on his team's first series, but the Bombers only came away with a single from Serna's missed 38-yard attempt.
Pierce then fumbled the ball after his arm was knocked by Bombers defensive end Odell Willis. In the scramble to get the ball, Pierce injured his shoulder and was done for the day with 8:24 left in the opening quarter.
Winnipeg defensive tackle Doug Brown recovered the ball, but the Bombers only scored Serna's 39-yard field goal.
Lulay entered the game and B.C.'s struggles continued.
Lulay pitched the ball to receiver Ryan Grice-Mullen, but he couldn't grab a hold of it and fumbled. Winnipeg DT Dorian Smith jumped on it.
Bombers QB Michael Bishop couldn't hit the end zone and they settled for Serna's 30-yarder that made it 14-0 at 11:06.
Luck finally turned the Lions' way in the second quarter.
Bishop was intercepted by Marsh, who ran for the TD at 2:57.
McCallum made it 14-10 midway through the quarter with a 13-yard field goal and then added a 66-yard punt single.
Bishop then fumbled the ball and it was recovered by DT Aaron Hunt. The turnover ended with McCallum's 37-yarder.
With just over a minute to go, Lions DT Stephen Williams was ejected after punching Bomber centre Obby Khan just under his ribs.
Serna booted a 12-yarder and McCallum sailed through his 47-yarder as time expired to end the first-half scoring.
Winnipeg had the only scoring in the third quarter. The Bombers gambled on third down and almost two yards to go when backup QB Ricky Santos got into his first game with a successful sneak.
Bishop then overthrew receiver Terrence Edwards for a likely TD and the Bombers made it 20-17 with Serna's 17-yarder at 11:42 of the third quarter.
As time expired on the quarter, Bombers rookie defensive back Jonathan Hefney stepped in front of B.C. receiver Geroy Simon in the end zone and intercepted Lulay's pass.
Winnipeg didn't get anything from Hefney's fourth interception of the season because Bishop was soon picked off by DB Barron Miles.
Lulay made good on the gift with his TD pass to Harris that gave his team the 24-20 lead at 2:03.
Serna's second field-goal miss made it 24-21 and then his team squandered a great opportunity to regain the lead.
Johnson snagged his second interception of the game when Lulay's pass bounced off O'Neil Wilson's hands, but Winnipeg's offence ended up punting.
