Blue Bombers stun sloppy Tiger-Cats for 1st win

Staked to a big lead by two touchdowns 67 seconds apart late in the second quarter, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers held on to defeat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 28-24 on Thursday for their first win of the season.

The Blue Bombers (1-2) secured the win with eight seconds left at Tim Hortons Field after defensive end Adrian Hubbard strip-sacked Tiger-Cats quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and recovered the ball in the ensuing scramble. That capped a six-takeaway night from Winnipeg's defence, which was also boosted by Maurice Leggett's two interceptions - including one he returned 50 yards for his first career touchdown.

Leggett's pick-6 was part of a late second-quarter scoring spree when Winnipeg scored more points - 15 - in the final two-and-a-half minutes of the quarter than it did during the first three quarters of either of its first two games.

Following a punt single, Leggett intercepted Masoli and ran to the end zone untouched. Winnipeg recovered the ensuing kickoff on the Tiger-Cats' 24-yard line. That set up an 8-yard touchdown reception by Ryan Smith, who made a no-look catch. That vaulted Winnipeg to a 22-10 halftime lead.

Leggett made his second interception at Winnipeg's 13-yard line early in the fourth quarter when the Tiger-Cats had a chance to take the lead.

Hamilton has lost six of its last eight games at Tim Hortons Field dating to last season.

Justin Medlock was 4-of-6 on field goals and added two singles for Winnipeg in his first game in Hamilton since leaving as a free agent last winter. Andrew Harris had 12 rushes for 54 yards for Winnipeg, while quarterback Drew Willy was 32-of-42 for 279 yards with one touchdown.

Winnipeg's offence was sporadic for much of the night, with wide receiver Weston Dressler making four receptions for 36 yards in his return after being injured in the season opener. Willy had only one completion for more than 20 yards, a 40-yard fourth-quarter grab by Darvin Adams, who held on despite being interfered with by Hamilton cornerback Quinton Pointer. Winnipeg failed to convert the catch into points, but their defence stopped the Ticats on their last two possessions.

Chad Owens and Andy Fantuz also caught touchdown passes from Masoli, while Brandon Banks returned a missed field goal 120 yards for a touchdown for the Tiger-Cats (1-2).

Masoli was 29-of-39 for 367 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, but also had two of Hamilton's four lost fumbles and was sacked four times. Owens had a game-high 92 yards on five catches.

Banks had 264 all-purpose yards, including 238 on returns. The speedster also had a 50-yard kickoff return.