THE CANADIAN PRESS/ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO — Newly acquired WR Chad Lucas caught his first CFL touchdown but a last-second Argos field goal try to win the game by K Justin Medlock hit the uprights and bounced out as the Argos fell to the Bombers 13-12.
Alexis Serna’s 48-yard field goal with 4:05 remaining earned the win for the Bombers.
Serna’s boot might’ve provided the winning margin, but it was Winnipeg’s defence that anchored the victory, forcing seven Toronto turnovers (four interceptions, three fumbles). Barrin Simpson’s recovery of a Jamal Robertson fumble at the Bombers’ 20-yard snuffed out a promising Toronto drive.
Toronto (2-3) had one final chance for the win, but Jason Medlock’s 57-yard field goal try with 19 seconds remaining hit the goalpost. It came after the Argos were called for a timecount violation — a 10-yard penalty — while setting up a 47-yard boot.
Winnipeg’s defence also earned quarterback Michael Bishop the win in his ’09 debut. Bishop — who spent nearly seven years with Toronto before being dealt to Saskatchewan last season — started off well, leading the Bombers (2-3) to 10 first-quarter points before fizzling badly in the second half. Still, the 33-year-old certainly did a lot better than the trio of Stefan LeFors, Richie Williams and Bryan Randall, who combined for just 66 yards passing in the Bombers’ embarrassing 19-5 home loss to Toronto.
Bishop finished 16-of-30 passing for 213 yards with a touchdown and interception. He also had 25 yards rushing.
Serna’s field goal came after Medlock’s 35-yard boot put Toronto ahead 12-10 at 4:10 before just 23,821 spectators with the Rogers Centre roof peeled back on a gorgeous, sunny afternoon.
Bishop made the start for Winnipeg despite just practising four times with the CFL team last week. But Bishop guided the Riders to consecutive victories after joining them.
Toronto’s Kerry Joseph finished 20-of-32 passing for 219 yards and a TD but had the four picks and also lost a fumble. He ran 10 times for 84 yards.
Early on, the six-foot-one, 215-pound Bishop, in his eighth CFL season, was able to move Winnipeg’s offence, using his mobility to roll out and effectively buy more time for the Bombers’ receivers. And if he didn’t see anyone open, Bishop didn’t hesitate to head upfield and get what he could while keeping the drive alive.
The former Kansas State star’s experience also showed when Toronto attempted to blitz to get pressure on him. He used his feet to evade the rush and was cool in the pocket in making his progressions quickly and throwing the ball away if no receiver was open.
But Bishop was ineffective in the second half as Winnipeg’s offence struggled to move the football against Toronto’s defence.
Toronto twice threatened to go ahead in the third, only to have Winnipeg linebacker Siddeez Shabazz end both drives with interceptions. His first pick came at the Bombers’ goal-line — the Argos still pulled to within 10-9 with the conceded safety at 10:12 — with the second coming on a ball that deflected off receiver Dovonte Edwards’ hands at the Winnipeg 42.
Terrence Edwards had Winnipeg’s touchdown. Serna booted the convert and two field goals.
Lucas scored Toronto’s touchdown. Medlock added the convert and a field goal. The other points came on a safety.
Serna’s 40-yard field goal in the opening quarter was the difference in giving Winnipeg a 10-7 half-time lead. But Toronto was its own worst enemy, committing four turnovers (two interceptions, two fumbles) in the half.
Punter Mike Renaud attempted a fake but let off a 20-yard boot on the run when Toronto effectively snuffed it out. The ball went right to Winnipeg’s Jonathan Hefney, who instead of letting it go made the catch and was promptly flagged for no yards, giving Toronto the ball at the Bombers’ 48-yard line.
NOTES — Bishop spent six-plus seasons and appeared in 100 career games with Toronto before being dealt to Saskatchewan on Aug. 23, 2008 . . . Edwards attended his first CFL training camp with the Argos in 2005 but was injured early and released prior to the start of the regular season . . . Winnipeg’s scratches were receiver Adarius Bowman, linebackers Joe Lobendahn and Pierre-Luc Labbe and defensive back Brandon Stewart. For Toronto, receivers Reggie McNeal and James Robinson, tackle Shannon Boatman and defensive tackle Walter Curry didn’t dress.