Blue Bombers Get Taught Lesson—Esks Dominate and End Losing Streak

Three in a row, in second place and up by two scores after their first two possessions it looked as if the Bombers were going to mop the floor with the lifeless Eskies.  But one quarter does not a game make. 

Kevin Glenn was on fire at the start spreading the ball around hitting Derick Armstrong for big gains, and Romby Bryant for a huge touchdown and Fred Reid dominated early as the Bombers looked to wreak havoc on the struggling Eskimos. 

But the turning point in the game came in the second quarter, with the Esks being completely shut down and in another punting situation Noel Prefontaine faked the punt and hit Calvin McCarty for a 19 yard gain that eventually led to a Maurice Mann touchdown that opened the floodgates. 

With the momentum turned Tristan Jackson electrified the crowd with a 67 yard punt return for a touchdown that put the Esks ahead for good but they weren't done there.  Ray hit Andrew Nowaki for a 12 yard strike and before the half was done Calvin McCarty scored long a four-yard run that came off a Jonte Buhl interception.  The Eskimos looked like the team of old as they return to the win column following two straight losses.

The Bombers were unable to generate anything after the first quarter and were left far too often in two and out situations, something they have not been accustomed to in this last month.  Bad blood boiled over near the end of the game as it did last week when Kenny Onaolu took a cheap shot near the end of the game on Bombers receiver Derrick Armstrong hitting him after he was out of bounds. 

With the game already settled and the play being over the hit was uncalled for and was incredibly boneheaded seeing as the Esks were about to win the game.  It will be very interesting to see if the league cracks down on anything from this game after the ridiculous slap on the wrist given to Barrenchea last week for his blatant cheap shot that could have ended Glenn's career. 

After the game running back Fred Reid was disappointed that the Bombers led up, We can't have a letdown like that," said Bombers running back Fred Reid of the second quarter collapse. "We had them going in the first quarter and then we let them right back into it. We have to play all four quarters. You can't take a quarter off because every time we do that teams seem to get right back into the game." 

Alexis Serna was once again a disappointment missing a field goal and going one for two in the loss and has not made Brendan Taman look good after cutting longtime kicker Troy Westwood in preseason. 

Following last weeks shenanigans there were more quarterback shenanigans this game as Brandon Guillorey had a cheap shot on Glenn in the third with a late hit, along with that Bombers DE Gavin Walls escaped with no call after hitting Ricky Ray late. 

The time has come for the Canadian Football League to man up and start suspending guys for these cheap shots but after the slap on the wrist to Barrenchea they may be too late in making a statement to the players.  Whatever the case should these teams meet again in the playoffs I would not want to be the referee as things have gotten personal with these two teams and things will boil over. 

With the win the Esks improve to 8-6 while the Bombers drop to 5-9 and have a pivotal match-up next week against the reeling Toronto Argonauts who are only two points back of the Bombers for the final playoff spot in the East.