Blue Bombers clinch playoff berth with rare home win over Calgary

WINNIPEG — Matt Nichols threw for more than 300 yards for the first time this season to help the Winnipeg Blue Bombers clinch a playoff spot with a 29-21 victory over the Calgary Stampeders on Friday night.

The Bombers’ win (10-7) also eliminated the Edmonton Eskimos (8-9) from post-season contention.

Winnipeg ends the regular season in Edmonton next weekend.

Calgary (12-5), which has lost three straight, can still finish first in the CFL West Division if Saskatchewan (11-6) loses or ties tonight in hosting B.C. (9-7). If the Roughriders win, the Stampeders can get top spot if they beat the Lions in Vancouver on the final weekend.

It was the first time Winnipeg has defeated Calgary at home since July 2009. The Stamps had nine straight victories in Manitoba.

Nichols completed 24-of-33 pass attempts for 358 yards and threw touchdown passes to Darvin Adams and Drew Wolitarsky. He had no interceptions in front of 25,173 fans at Investors Group Field, which was covered in fog for the second half.

Calgary’s Bo Levi Mitchell was 22-for-35 for 274 yards with one touchdown toss to Markeith Ambles and no picks.

Adams caught a 50-yard TD pass and Wolitarsky hauled in a 60-yard reception for Winnipeg’s touchdowns through the air. Backup quarterback Chris Streveler had a two-yard run for a TD.

Justin Medlock booted a pair of field goals from 13 and 35 yards for Winnipeg. He made a pair of converts, and Nichols was sacked on a two-point convert attempt.

Calgary’s backup quarterback Nick Arbuckle pushed in for a two-yard touchdown and Ambles had a oneyard TD catch. Two Calgary converts were unsuccessful. Rene Paredes made field goals from 43, 31 and 51 yards.

Calgary led 3-0 after the first quarter and 12-6 at halftime, but Winnipeg went ahead 26-18 in the third quarter. Both teams scored field goals off turnovers in the first half.

Four touchdowns were scored in the third quarter.

Nichols still had a clear shot of Adams despite the fog. Adams got behind rookie Calgary defensive back DaShaun Amos to haul in a 50-yard pass in the end zone at 4:48 of the third. With Medlock’s convert, the Bombers took a 13-12 lead.

The Bombers turned the ball over with 4:20 left in the fourth quarter, but the Stamps were unable to mount a comeback.