Burris leads Stampeders over Winnipeg

Calgary, AB (Sports Network) - Henry Burris threw for 340 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and the Calgary Stampeders held on to defeat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 23-20, at McMahon Stadium

Burris converted 28-of-38 pass attempts and added 55 rushing yards for Calgary (4-1), which won its second game in a row to remain in a tie with Saskatchewan for the top spot in the Western Conference. Nik Lewis hauled in 10 balls for 160 yards, while Ken-Yon Rambo made six catches for 86 yards and a score in his first game back since suffering a torn knee ligament against the B.C. Lions last July.

"We gave some opportunities away offensively with some fumbles but our defense played well except for a couple of big plays," Calgary coach John Hufnagel said. "The important thing is that we, as a team, found a way to win a football game."

Steven Jyles, starting his second consecutive game in place of the injured Buck Pierce, threw for 227 yards and a score on 17-of-30 tosses, as Winnipeg (2-3) suffered its third loss in the past four games. Terrence Edwards grabbed six passes for 162 yards and a score in the defeat, while Fred Reid rushed for 75 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.

It didn't take long for Rambo to make his impact felt, as he hauled in a 20- yard touchdown pass from Burris to give Calgary the lead after one quarter of play. The catch, which came after a holding penalty that made it second-and- goal from the 20-yard line, capped a five-play, 74-yard drive.

Calgary added to its lead early in the second quarter when Rob Maver connected on a 45-yard field goal.

A response from Winnipeg came midway through the second quarter, with Reid breaking off a 46-yard touchdown run. A 66-yard punt by Winnipeg's Alexis Serna then resulted in a single to make it a 10-8 game.

The Stamps answered on the ensuing drive, as Burris connected with Deon Murphy from four yards out for a touchdown with 32 seconds left in the half. The drive took less then two minutes and spanned 75 yards on eight plays.

After Winnipeg forced and recovered a Burris fumble to stall a promising Calgary drive midway through the third quarter, the Bombers moved into scoring position courtesy of a 45-yard pass interference call. The Bombers would settle for a 33-yard field goal by Serna, and they now trailed just 17-11 heading into the fourth quarter.

Calgary wasted little time extending its lead early in the final frame, as Maver snuck in a 37-yard field goal just minutes into the period.

The Bombers though, responded less then two minutes later when Jyles hit a wide open Terrence Edwards on a 61-yard touchdown pass.

With 3:22 remaining, Maver knocked through a 45-yard field goal to give Calgary a little cushion at 23-18.

Following a quick two-and-out, Winnipeg's defense came up with a big stand and forced Calgary into a punt.

The Bombers, who had the ball at their own 24-yard line with 1:40 remaining, moved right down to the Calgary 30-yard line courtesy of a 43-yard pass from Jyles to Edwards.

Winnipeg, however, was unable to convert on any of the next three downs, twice going for it all with passes to the end zone. Brock Ralph had a shot at the first toss to the end zone, but the pass went off his shoulder, and Jyles overthrew Edwards on the third down.

Calgary then took a safety while running out the final seven seconds of the game.

Game Notes

Rambo's touchdown was his first since October 18th, 2008..Burris has thrown for over 300 yards in four of the last five meetings against Winnipeg...The Stamps are now unbeaten in their last nine contests at home, going 8-0-1 in that span...Calgary has now won three of the last four meetings in the series...The Bombers remain winless in Calgary since 2002...These teams are set to finish off the 2010 regular season against each other in Winnipeg, their only other scheduled meeting of the campaign.