WINNIPEG — Fortunate Whitehead ended up being the fortunate appeal the Winnipeg Blue Bombers wanted this week.
Whitehead caught a 19-yard landing cross in his season debut and Sergio Castillo booted six subject objectives to assist the Blue Bombers upset the B.C. Lions 25-0 and snap their two-game dropping skid on Thursday.
The final time B.C. was shutout was a 45-0 Blue Bombers’ victory in Winnipeg on Oct. 23, 2021.
“All the pieces was superb. To simply come out that tunnel, from the beginning, all of it felt excellent and proper,” stated Whitehead, who completed with six receptions for 56 yards.
Whitehead performed the previous three seasons with the Lions however wasn’t re-signed. He inked a deal in early July with the Blue Bombers, the workforce he started his profession with in 2019.
Castillo related on subject objectives from 37, 60, 32, 51, 32 and 11 yards. It was his second profitable kick from 60 yards this season, making him the one kicker in CFL historical past to hit twice from 60-plus yards in a profession.
The victory in entrance of 31,589 followers at Princess Auto Stadium moved Winnipeg’s document to 3-6 and evened their season collection with B.C. at one win apiece.
The Lions dropped to 5-3. The fewest factors that they had scored this season previous to Thursday’s sport was 24, recorded in two separate video games.
Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. left the sport after being sacked at 2:29 of the fourth quarter and appeared to injure his proper knee. He was changed by Jake Dolegala.
“The preliminary evaluation from what they instructed me it’s most likely one thing on the order of weeks, not months or longer, in order that’s the excellent news a part of it,” B.C. Lions head coach and co-general supervisor Rick Campbell stated.
“It might be irresponsible to say that’s 100 per cent. He must get some exams achieved and all that, but it surely doesn’t look season-ending or something like that.”
Adams was 8-of-17 passing for 74 yards and was sacked 4 occasions.
Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros accomplished 27 of 33 cross makes an attempt for 295 yards with one TD and no interceptions.
Winnipeg rookie receiver Ontaria Wilson led all receivers with seven catches for 112 yards. Operating again Brady Oliveira rushed 17 occasions for 100 yards.
B.C. placekicker Sean Whyte didn’t try any subject objectives.
The Lions completed with 4 first downs and 102 yards of internet offence.
“Like coach (Mike O’Shea) stated, so long as he’s been within the league teaching, he’s solely seen that 4 occasions,” Bombers rush finish Willie Jefferson stated.
“That’s a giant testomony to our defensive employees, our coaches and simply the defence all-around. The again finish, the linebackers and the D-line simply locking in, stopping an actual potent offence.”
Winnipeg led 3-0 after the primary quarter, 13-0 at halftime and 19-0 heading into the fourth quarter.
B.C. began the sport with three straight two-and-outs.
“They’re a greater workforce than we gave them credit score for,” Lions defensive again T.J. Lee stated. “We knew that, however they got here out and performed a greater sport. Truthful and sq. they gained.”
Adams was intercepted by Bombers defensive again Tyrell Ford with 6:05 left within the opening quarter. Winnipeg used the turnover for a Castillo 37-yard subject purpose.
Winnipeg’s subsequent drive obtained to the Lions’ 13-yard line, however backup quarterback Chris Streveler was denied on third and one and the Bombers turned the ball over on downs.
Castillo hit his 60-yarder to make it 6-0 at 10:27 of the second.
Whitehead’s 19-yard TD catch with 28 seconds left within the half was secured when he dove over the purpose line for the 13-0 lead.
When it appeared like Whyte was lining up for a 48-yard field-goal try early within the third quarter, he booted a nine-yard onside kick and Bombers linebacker Tanner Cadwallader grabbed the ball.
Castillo then knocked by means of subject objectives from 32, 51 and 36 yards to make it 22-0 at 1:24 of the fourth quarter.
After Dolegala took over, the Lions turned the ball over on downs and Castillo chipped by means of an 11-yarder.
“I believe we obtained our butts beat, is what I believe occurred, from begin to end,” Campbell stated. “We couldn’t get something going and also you don’t see that too typically within the CFL, so I’ll credit score them.”
POOR FIRST HALF
The Lions went into the sport because the CFL’s top-ranked offence, however had been held to 2 first downs and 59 yards of internet offence within the first half.
Adams was sacked twice and accomplished six of 11 cross makes an attempt for 46 yards with the choose by Ford.
By comparability, Collaros was 20-of-23 passing for 213 yards and one TD within the first half and ran as soon as for 17 yards earlier than sliding.
SECOND SEASON DEBUT
Lions receiver Keon Hatcher returned to motion from an Achilles harm he suffered in B.C.’s division last loss to Winnipeg final season.
He caught three passes for 28 yards.
UP NEXT
Bombers: Go on their first bye week of the season.
Lions: Journey to play the Edmonton Elks on Aug. 11.
