Winnipeg Blue Bombers defender Willie Jefferson was underestimated for his interception in the fourth quarter for a touchdown on Friday.
The veteran caught a pass from Hamilton quarterback Dane Evans to support Winnipeg’s 26-12 victory over the visiting Tigers-Cots.
The Bombers (3-0) remained undefeated to start the CFL season, while the Ticats were unbeaten in three starts.
“It was a good night. Good night at the office, “Jefferson said. “Offense, defense, special teams came out and we did what we had to do to win.”
After firing Evans early in the fourth quarter, Jefferson intercepted 30 yards to score in the remaining 8:40 in the game.
Jefferson’s touchdown was the fifth in his eight-year CFL career.
“I live right. That’s all I can say, man, “Jefferson said. “Yes, I just have the opportunity to run to the ball. The ball accidentally found me.
“I just have to be hungry. You don’t get rewarded for being lazy. “
Evans had a 25-for-42 pass on 237 yards with two interceptions. Jefferson’s choice was not Evans’ first throw, which diverted the receiver’s hands into the enemy’s hands.
“Bad luck right now, man,” Evans said. “Every one of these guys was open and just unhappy, man. Just a string of bad luck.
“Just like the striker is in crisis, this is hitting us right now. Shoot, it can happen so many times, you know. Eventually, this will start to go our way. “
Blue Bomber defender Brady Oliveira scored a one-yard touchdown, while Winnipeg striker Mark Liegio had a perfect outcome.
Lieggio kicked fields from 45, 30 and 41 yards, hit both converted and added three single shots.
The tiger cats relied on kicker Michael Domagala when they could not find the end zone.
He was good in 27, 49, 32 and 41 yard attempts, but was wide in 45 and 52 yard attempts.
The start of the opening was postponed until 8 pm local time due to lightning, as thunderstorms passed through Winnipeg.
The team had asked IG Field fans to wear white for a “white out”. Many of the 23,600 present did so, but covered with a rain poncho.
The bombers wore white road shirts, which they wore for their next victories in the Gray Cup over Tiger-Cats in 2019 and 2021.
“I really think they are a great football team. I don’t care what their records say, “said Bombers quarterback Zack Colaros.
“They will be there in the end, for sure. Both teams have mutual respect for each other. At the same time, we don’t like each other very much because we’ve played in some big games over the last few seasons. “
Colaros completed 21 of 32 30-yard passes with a single interception.
Tiger cats need to turn field goals into touchdowns, said their head coach Orlondo Steinauer.
“But I was definitely proud of the efforts of our football team,” he said.
“I did not see a refusal. I thought we just didn’t take advantage of our opportunities when momentum hit us. “
Winnipeg led 6-3 after the first quarter, 14-9 at halftime and 18-9 after three quarters.
Both quarterbacks connected in long passes in the result of the first half.
Colaros hit Greg Ellingson with a 46-yard finish to strengthen the drive, limited by Liege’s 45-yard field.
Colaros and Rashid Bailey combined to receive 35 yards in the next series, which ended with 30 yards by Liegio to make it 6-0 at 9:29.
After coming second down and 27 after a penalty, Evans slipped out and threw a 41-yard shot at David Unger III.
The shot ended with a goal from 27 yards of Domagala at 12:05.
Hamilton made it 6-6 in just 21 seconds after the second quarter when Domagala pushed 49 yards.
Winnipeg responded with a hit single at 3:35.
Domagala missed a 45-yard lead, but was good at 32 yards with 2:22 until the end of the first half.
With 18 seconds left, Oliveira finished a 5-game, 59-yard drive with a one-yard TD car.
Bomber receiver Nick Demski appeared to have injured his leg when he was hit two minutes after the third quarter. He did not return to the game and the club did not provide an update after the match for him.
Liegio increased Winnipeg’s lead to 18-9 by one point at 3:33 and added a 41-yard goal in 11:52 from the third.
After Jefferson hit the pay with a 6, Domagala made the score 25-12 with his 41 yard at 9:56 from the fourth. Liegio added another pound single.
Evans was also spotted by Winnipeg defender Nick Taylor at the end of the fourth quarter.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 24, 2022.
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