Final
Edmonton explodes in 42-10 win
Jul 14, 2012 - 5:55 AM Edmonton, AB (Sports Network) - After managing just one point in a loss at Saskatchewan on Sunday, the Eskimos broke out for 35 points in the first half before holding on late to beat the Blue Bombers, 42-10.With their offense sputtering, the Eskimos (2-1) needed all aspects of their game to come to play and they did on Friday as they got majors from their special teams, defense and offense en route to the victory.
"It's just one game. There's still a lot of work for us to offensively," said Eskimos head coach Kavis Reed. "I'm very proud of the character the guys showed. I'm very proud that they quieted all the noise that was around them this week and concentrated on playing football."
Steven Jyles led the offense with 272 yards and one touchdown through the air on 15-of-27 passing. Backup Kerry Joseph was 3-of-3 for 102 yards and two touchdowns, including a 76-yard major to Hugh Charles, who finished with three catches for 145 yards.
"We did a better job today. We still have some improving to do but we showed up today," said Lyles. "We scored points, our defense played great and we got a great team win."
Edmonton has now won three of the last four meetings between these teams.
Winnipeg (0-3) starting quarterback Buck Pierce left the game with a foot injury early and backup Alex Brink came on but had a forgettable performance.
He completed just 8-of-18 passes for 75 yards and an interception before a vicious hit on the first play of the fourth quarter forced third-stringer Joey Elliott into the game.
Elliott went 11-of-18 for 193 yards and a touchdown in relief, while Chris Matthews hauled in seven passes for 171 yards and one major for the Blue Bombers, who haven't held a lead in any of their three losses this season after appearing in the Grey Cup title game just a season ago.
Edmonton's special teams unit stepped up first by forcing a fumble on a punt return for the first score of the game.
Demond Washington received the punt for Winnipeg, but was stripped by Lee Robinson before Clint Kent scooped up the loose ball and took it 29 yards for the major.
Next it was the defense's turn as Donovan Alexander's interception later in the opening stanza set up a 43-yard field goal for Grant Shaw as the Eskimos grabbed a 10-0 lead.
The offense then came to life in the second as Jyles found Cary Koch for a 33- yard touchdown to extend the advantage to 17-0.
Edmonton's defense continued to force mistakes from the Blue Bombers as T.J. Hill picked off a Brink pass on Winnipeg's ensuing possession and took it 32 yards for the major and the rout was on.
Edmonton forced another Winnipeg turnover on its next possession, but managed only a single as Shaw missed a 44-yard field goal attempt to give the Eskimos a 25-0 lead.
Shaw then buried a 24-yard field goal later in the second to extend the lead before Edmonton drove the length of the field with under two minutes to play.
The big play of the drive was a 60-yard pass from Jyles to Charles before Joseph finished off the 97-yard drive with a four-yard pass to Shamawd Chambers to make it a 35-0 blowout heading into the locker room.
The Edmonton defense continued to stifle the Blue Bombers in the third, allowing the only score on a 44-yard field goal field goal from Justin Palardy.
Brink left the game early in the fourth quarter after sustaining a vicious hit and Elliott connected with Matthews on his first pass for a 72-yard touchdown to bring the Blue Bombers within 35-10.
Winnipeg then recovered Jyles' fumble on a sack, but Elliott was intercepted by Joe Burnett in the end zone to end the threat.
Charles then put the game away late in the fourth when he took a screen pass 77 yards for the major to give the Eskimos a 32-point lead.
Game Notes
Julius Williams and Marcus Howard from Edmonton and Len January from Winnipeg were all disqualified after a fight late in the third quarter...The Eskimos scored 25 points off of Winnipeg turnovers ...Both teams used all three quarterbacks on their rosters.
- WINNIPEG: 10
EDMONTON: 42
Final
Jul 14 12:16 AM - WINNIPEG: 10
EDMONTON: 42
End of Regulation
Jul 14 12:16 AM - Edmonton Touchdown - Kerry Joseph pass to Hugh Charles for 77 yards.
Blue Bombers 10, Eskimos 41 4th - 5:15Jul 13 11:58 PM - Winnipeg Touchdown - Joey Elliott pass to Chris Matthews for 72 yards.
Blue Bombers 9, Eskimos 35 4th - 14:14Jul 13 11:39 PM - WINNIPEG: 3
EDMONTON: 35
End of 3rd
Jul 13 11:34 PM - Winnipeg Field Goal - 44-yarder by Justin Palardy.
Blue Bombers 3, Eskimos 35 3rd - 2:58Jul 13 11:29 PM - WINNIPEG: 0
EDMONTON: 35
Halftime
Jul 13 10:32 PM - Edmonton Touchdown - Steven Jyles pass to Shamawd Chambers for 4 yards.
Blue Bombers 0, Eskimos 34 2nd - 0:07Jul 13 10:29 PM - Edmonton Touchdown - Alex Brink pass intercepted by T.J. Hill at the Winnipeg 31 and returned for 31 yards.
Blue Bombers 0, Eskimos 23 2nd - 11:15Jul 13 9:53 PM - Edmonton Touchdown - Steven Jyles pass to Cary Koch for 33 yards.
Blue Bombers 0, Eskimos 16 2nd - 12:30Jul 13 9:47 PM - WINNIPEG: 0
EDMONTON: 10
End of 1st
Jul 13 9:41 PM - Edmonton Touchdown - Burke Dales punted 48 yards from the Winnipeg 54 to the Winnipeg 6. Demond Washington returned to the Winnipeg 27 for 21 yards. Demond Washington fumble recovered by Clint Kent at the Winnipeg 27, returned into the end zone.
Blue Bombers 0, Eskimos 6 1st - 7:30Jul 13 9:23 PM - WINNIPEG: 0
EDMONTON: 0
1st Quarter - 15:00
Jul 13 9:10 PM
Related News
- Bombers tangle with Tiger-Cats Jul 1
- Harris, Fuller, Willy named top performers for Week 1 Jun 30
- Blue Bombers down Roughriders Jun 27
- Argos cruise to season-opening win behind Harris Jun 27
- Roughriders host Blue Bombers to open new season Jun 24
- Eskimos and Argonauts square off in season opener Jun 24
- Blue Bombers extend QB Willy May 1
- Eskimos QB White retires Mar 19
- Owners of Bombers' stadium suing architect, builder Mar 4
- Bombers bring back Brohm Feb 17
- Bombers' Renaud calls it a career Feb 5
- Riders pick up Watson from Bombers Jan 29