ALOUETTES 22 BLUE BOMBERS 14

WINNIPEG – Kevin Glenn would have preferred starting his season with zero interruptions.

The Montreal Alouettes quarterback threw for 332 yards and one touchdown to veteran S.J. Green as the Als defeated the Blue Bombers 22-14 Friday in a game that was delayed because of lightning, thunder and rain.

The CFL season-opener for both clubs at Investors Group Field was put on hold with 6:57 left in the first quarter because of the approaching weather system. The stoppage lasted about an hour and resumed after players had a quick warm-up.

“It’s tough when you get all that adrenalin going and the game’s going and then you have to cut it suddenly and it’s not like a half-time situation,” Glenn said, adding they used the time to talk about game adjustments.

Glenn, acquired by Montreal last October, completed 30-of-42 pass attempts and had an interception.

He connected with seven different receivers, but joked that they weren’t all happy with him.

“Some of them still are a little upset at me for not throwing them the ball on certain plays,” Glenn said.

“But I’m just the waiter and (offensive co-ordinator) Anthony (Calvillo) is the chef, so I just bring the food out. They have to yell at the cook for not making the food right.”

Winnipeg quarterback Drew Willy was 25 of 34 for 303 yards with a TD and a pick.

Montreal’s Boris Bede hit field goals from 41 and 47 yards and added a pair of converts. Backup quarterback Brandon Bridge plunged in for a one-yard TD and Green hung on to an eight-yard touchdown toss.

Bede and new Winnipeg kicker Justin Medlock each conceded a safety.

Medlock had a 47-yard field-goal attempt hit the left upright late in the first half, but booted a career-long 58-yarder early in the third quarter that tied Bernie Ruoff’s Winnipeg record for the longest field goal. He also added a 62-yard punt single.

Winnipeg receiver Darvin Adams eluded a tackler during his 63-yard TD reception, which was followed by a two-point convert catch by Quincy McDuffie with under three minutes to go in the game.

Recently acquired Winnipeg receiver Weston Dressler took a helmet-to-helmet hit from Als rookie defensive back Ethan Davis just before the lightning started. He walked to the dressing room and the Bombers later announced he wasn’t returning to the game.

He and fellow former Saskatchewan receiver Ryan Smith were two of Winnipeg’s key off-season signings.

“It’s obviously something big when you lose a leader like that on the field,” Smith said.

Winnipeg head coach Mike O’Shea had no update on Dressler and didn’t think his absence altered the offence’s rhythm.

“It’s pro football. They get it,” he said. “Quincy McDuffie jumped in there and did well and pulled double duty playing a lot more receiver and returned the ball for us.”

Early penalties hurt the offence he said, adding it was a tough first half and it took a while for the players to get into a rhythm.

Key off-season signing Andrew Harris was an example. The Winnipeg-born running back had four carries for 20 yards in the first half and finished rushing 13 times for 80 yards.

Montreal led 12-0 at halftime, but it could have been a wider gap if not for some gaffes.

Bede’s 41-yarder gave the visitors the 3-0 lead at 4:46 of the first, but a Billy Parker interception on a Willy pass was called back because of an offside penalty.

Montreal got to Winnipeg’s 12-yard line after the weather stoppage, but Glenn was intercepted by Bombers defensive back Chris Randle just inside the goal-line.

(Canadian Press)