BOMBERS TROUNCE TICATS 39-12

Aaron Lynett/Canadian Press

HAMILTON – Justin Medlock is still trying to figure out the dynamics of Tim Hortons Field.

The Winnipeg kicker made six field goals, including a 57-yarder, to lead the Blue Bombers past the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 39-12 on Saturday night.

“It seems the last couple times I’ve been here, it’s been a little iffy,” Medlock said. “I hit every ball really well today. Unfortunately, I hit the post on one and got that one block, but I hit it really, really well today so I’m glad I could help the team out.”

Medlock was a Tiger-Cat when the stadium opened in September 2014 and played the full 2015 season in Hamilton when he led the CFL in scoring.

The 33-year-old was good on attempts from 34, 31, 30, 43, 57 and 34 yards, but missed from 43 when the ball hit the upright and 45 when it was blocked. Medlock added three converts.

Winnipeg quarterback Matt Nichols completed 25-of-35 pass attempts for 267 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Nichols connected with Julian Feoli-Gudino and Darvin Adams for the TDs while Timothy Flanders ran in a score. Running back Andrew Harris rushed 14 times for 107 yards.

It was the Bombers’ third win in a row as they improved to 5-2.

“I thought we did play a pretty smart game,” said Winnipeg head coach Mike O’Shea. “I thought we managed the clock extremely well. I thought we played clean in terms of giveaways, takeaways and the penalties.

“I don’t care what their record is, it’s still tough to win games in this league,” he said.

Hamilton fell to 0-7 despite hiring June Jones as an assistant head coach last week and a promoting Phillip Lolley to defensive co-ordinator on Tuesday.

Jeremiah Masoli and Damarr Aultman scored for the Ticats. Hamilton quarterback Zach Collaros completed 21-of-33 pass attempts for 216 yards, one TD and one interception.

Down 22-12 to start the fourth, Hamilton’s offence had just scored and was moving the ball again near midfield when Collaros fumbled. Hamilton recovered for third-and-long, but the offence sputtered.

Winnipeg answered with Medlock’s 34-yarder. A Hamilton fumble by receiver Mike Jones on its next possession led to a Winnipeg 53-yard scoring drive and Adams’ 35-yard TD reception for the 32-12 lead. A Collaros interception began Winnipeg’s 58-yard scoring drive that ate 3:48 and ended with a one-yard TD run by Flanders to make it 39-12 with 24 seconds left.

“There are always three or four possessions in a game that can completely flip a game,” said Hamilton head coach Kent Austin. “And the game got away from us. We’ve got to find a way to win those possessions.”

(The Canadian Press)