As I predicted the Bombers cleaned up their play from Week 1 and went “1-0” in Week 2. The Bombers beat the Riders by a score of 45-27 but the game was close at times.

However, Winnipeg broke the game open, ad with that we will head straight to the Game Ball.

Game Ball

While Janarion Grant only had one carry for 13 yards, it was his kick return touchdown that earns him the Game Ball! (If there was a runner up it would be Dalton Schoen for his shoestring catch in the end zone for a touchdown, or Zach Collaros who is not known for running but had a big run for a first down as well as his first rushing touchdown in many years)! As an explosive returner, Grant returned three punts for 121 yards. He also returned four kickoffs for 87 yards. But as mentioned it was the game breaker return for Grant that earns him this award from Week 2.

The game was close for much of it with both teams exchanging the lead. With 11:53 remaining in the third quarter, Saskatchewan took the lead again going up 21-17. However, with 5:59 remaining in the third quarter, Grant takes a punt return to the house going 90 yards to pay dirt! In reality he probably covered well over 120 yards as he zigged, zagged, and broke tackles.

To see a thing of beauty, here it is again!

A great effort by the whole return team, but the Bomber’s review crew…but Grant wins the Game Ball!

Jock

While the game was close the tide began to turn when Saskatchewan’s defender, Jeremy Clark, took a defensive pass interference on a ball thrown into the end zone. The ball was thrown under pressure as Saskatchewan blitzed, and it would have been a tough catch…but you simply cannot bail out the Bombers – they are too good!

That penalty was the beginning of the end for Saskatchewan. I am not sure if the ball would have been caught without that penalty as the replay shows that the ball was still catchable, but Carlton Agudosi dropped the ball when coming down.

I am of the mindset that you have to give yourself a chance to win. But when you take a pass interference penalty that moves the ball to the one yard line you start taking that chance away…from yourself. If the receiver makes the catch for a touchdown you look at that play and say, “I could not have covered him any better…he made a play.”

For giving a team that need no extra spark a boost – in a game that until that point was back and forth – Jeremy Clark, you get the jock.

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