Bombers open Investors Group Field with a 24-6 loss to Toronto Argonauts

WINNIPEG – The cowbells rang and the horns blew as Investors Group Field was christened but the Toronto Argonauts spoiled the party with a 24-6 exhibition win over the Blue Bombers Wednesday.

Last year’s Grey Cup champions brought their backup quarterbacks and a cast of newcomers to town and still looked confident on the newest turf in the CFL.

The Bombers opened with starter Buck Pierce but pulled him midway through the first quarter, putting in Max Hall, one of the two newcomers in camp this season to challenge for No. 1 backup.

Hall played the rest of the first half. Justin Goltz took over in the second, the only backup the Bombers retained from last season. The other newcomer, Chase Clement, saw action in the fourth quarter.

The Bombers scored first at their new home. Justin Palardy put them on the board with less than two minutes left in the first quarter with a 34-yard field goal.

But Toronto’s Gerald Riggs had the first touchdown in the $200-million stadium, a 20-yard run at 1:49 of the second to make it 7-3.

Toronto made it 14-3 before the end of the first half after quarterback Zach Collaros hit Trent Guy with a five-yard touchdown pass.

Toronto kicker Anthony Alix extended it to 17-3 at the 4:27 mark of the third quarter.

Jameeze Massey brought the Bombers back to life late in the third with a 91-yard return on a missed Alix field goal attempt.

Brett Cameron, son of Bomber punting legend Bob Cameron, turned it into three points by connecting with a 37-yard field goal, although Cameron is in camp to challenge at punter.

The Argos started the game behind Trevor Harris, the only other backup quarterback retained from last season. They also brought newcomers Mitchell Gale and Josh Portis, who saw action in the second half.

Gale dropped the ball on the last play of the third quarter but picked it up and still managed to connect with Romby Bryant in the endzone for another touchdown to make it 24-6.

A 46-yard Alix field goal near the end of the game was wiped out by a penalty for illegal formation.

The Bombers have been polishing a new offence but said before the game they wanted to keep this one simple. Even though it was only pre-season play, they very much wanted a win to start their life in their new home.

The new stadium, opening a year behind schedule, is located on the grounds of the University of Manitoba.

It’s about 12 kilometres from downtown Winnipeg and a good chunk of the crowd hadn’t made it by kickoff time. The Bombers sold 31,500 of the 33,400 seats as of Monday although the announced attendance was only 28,628.

With few roads into the campus, it took fans most of the first quarter to fill the stands and many left early to avoid a similar problem getting home.