Stampeders capitalize on turnovers to down Bombers 32-21 in Winnipeg

WINNIPEG – Jon Cornish ran in a touchdown after one of Winnipeg’s two costly fumbles in the first quarter and the Calgary Stampeders beat the Blue Bombers 32-21 to on Saturday.

Calgary (9-6) also had touchdowns from Nik Lewis and Marquay McDaniel as the Stamps moved into sole possession of second in the West Division, pending the outcome between Saskatchewan and Edmonton.

Quarterback Kevin Glenn finished with 286 yards passing with two TDs. Rene Paredes added four field goals.

The loss made the last-place Bombers’ (4-11) playoff hopes even slimmer with only three games remaining.

Winnipeg quarterback Joey Elliott threw four interceptions that snuffed promising drives as the Bombers turned the ball over eight times.

One interception, intended for Clarence Denmark in the end zone in the third quarter, could have brought the Bombers within five.

Another intended for Terrence Edwards in the fourth quarter could have done the same thing, after a scoreless third.

His last interception, in the fourth quarter, was also in the end zone.

Chad Simpson scored two Bomber touchdowns, both in the second quarter. After Elliott was replaced by Alex Brink late in the fourth quarter, he connected with Chris Matthews for a third.

Calgary built a 16-0 first-quarter lead on fumbles by Demond Washington on a kick return and Simpson on a carry. Both turnovers led to touchdowns.

Winnipeg’s time of possession was a miserly 1:34 going into the second quarter.

Cornish scored on a three-yard run just four plays after Washington’s fumble, Lewis on a 25-yard pass from Glenn four plays after Simpson’s.

Calgary fumbled on one convert attempt but Paredes added a field goal in the quarter to make it 16-0.

The Bombers came back in the second with Simpson scoring Winnipeg’s first touchdown on an eight-yard run then adding another on an 11-yard run.

Paredes had a field goal but McDaniel made it 26-14 before the quarter ended on a disputed play. He was knocked out of bounds but managed to sweep the ball past the goal line and Calgary won the challenge.

With less than two minutes left Brink connected with Chris Matthews on a 27-yard pass for a third Bomber touchdown. The rookie receiver passed the 1,000 mark Saturday.

Paredes had two field goals in the fourth.

Notes: Both teams accented their uniforms with pink as the Bombers raised money for the Keeping Abreast Foundation, part of a CFL-wide campaign in October to raise money to help fight women’s cancers.