BLUE BOMBERS HOLD OFF STAMPEDERS 26-19, REMAIN UNBEATEN

WINNIPEG – Carlton Agudosi had a CFL debut most receivers can only dream about.

The Blue Bombers slotback caught two touchdown passes to help Winnipeg remain the league’s only unbeaten team after a tense 26-19 victory over the Calgary Stampeders on Friday.

The six-foot-six Agudosi caught a 16-yard TD pass from quarterback Zach Collaros late in the third quarter, and then jumped in the corner of the end zone to haul in a 10-yard touchdown pass with 3:56 remaining in the fourth.

“It was amazing. I’m on Cloud 9,” said the 28-year-old Agudosi, who hails from Somerset, N.J., and spent last season on Winnipeg’s practice roster. “I’m going to enjoy if for tonight and then move on.”

The Bombers improved to 6-0 in the standings in front of a season-high 29,746 fans at IG Field. It’s the first time they’ve opened a season 6-0 since 1960. Their home win streak also bumped up to 13 games (including the playoffs).

The Stampeders missed a number of scoring opportunities and sit at 4-1 after a wild ending.

Calgary started at Winnipeg’s 53-yard line with 1:25 remaining, but Bo Levi Mitchell was sacked right away by defensive end Willie Jefferson. The drive ended with a pass to Calgary receiver Kamar Jorden bouncing out of his hands in the end zone and into the open palms of Winnipeg defensive back Demerio Houston.

“I saw the ball pop up and said, ‘I gotta get this,”’ Houston said.

Jorden, who only caught one of seven passes thrown his way, vowed to improve when Calgary returns after a bye week.

“The team in general, they got my back and they’re definitely saying it’s not my fault,” Jorden said. “But, you know, I hold myself at a high standard. I expect to make those plays and I will next time.”

Agudosi finished with six catches for 70 yards. Bombers receiver Greg Ellingson had 11 receptions for 152 yards.

Collaros completed 27-of-38 pass attempts for 315 yards with two TDs and no interceptions. Mitchell was 12-for-28 passing for 187 yards with one TD and one pick.

Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea praised Houston’s effort.

“There’s obviously a reason why you run to the football. If you want to be a good pro football player, you need to run all the time,” O’Shea said. “There’s Demerio running after a crumb and it just happens to pop up and he’s right on the spot to make the play.”

Winnipeg backup quarterback Dru Brown also pushed in for a one-yard TD.

Bombers kicker Marc Liegghio hit his longest field goal of the season from 48 yards out and connected on another from 17 yards. He was good on two of three converts.

Reggie Begelton caught a 19-yard TD pass for Calgary. Rene Paredes made field goals from 50, 39, 14 and 48 yards and added one convert.

Calgary led 7-3 after the first quarter, the score was tied 13-13 at halftime and Winnipeg led 20-16 after the third.

Mitchell said the Stamps hurt themselves.

“They are who they are for a reason because they pull out games,” he said of the two-time defending Grey Cup-champion Bombers. “And they didn’t make those mistakes, we did.”

The Stampeders have a bye win Week 7 while the Blue Bombers visit the Edmonton Elks on Friday, July 22.

(Canadian Press/Photo: Dave Petrishen)