Big weekend for CFL East teams
In Riderville, the universal reaction seemed to be,”Did I just see/hear that as the Riders beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 32-27 in the Banjo Bowl?”
For Rider fans leaving Dollarama Field, their beer was made more palatable by the bitter tears of Bomber fans who thought their Grey Cup titles in June, July and August would continue in September and maybe lead to a real Grey Cup title in November.
The goat of the game for Bomber fans was Matt Nichol, the sensitive quarterback who was touted as an elite CFL quarterback at the start of the season but who served up two interceptions for touchdowns that essentially clinched the win for the Riders. Nichols turnovers were the result of a quarterback feeling the pressure to try to do anything to turn around a three game losing streak.
Nichols was not helped by the Riders putting Andrew Harris under wraps for the game, forcing the Bombers to go their receiving corps, which is not amongst the leagues most impressive. The Bomber defense for its part, which was taken apart by Calgary and Winnipeg, played well, but was worn down by a Rider offense that with the exception of an early pick six, managed to put a lid on the Bombers ability to make big plays.