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Nichols, Bombers storm by Tiger-Cats after weather delay

Ben Nelms / Reuters

Matt Nichols and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will want a lightning delay every week, after dominating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 37-11 on Wednesday.

The kickoff was pushed until after 10 p.m. CT due to a two-hour, 40-minute delay caused by a severe thunderstorm watch and lightning in the Winnipeg area.

Once it finally started, Winnipeg (3-4) had the Midas touch, scoring three touchdowns in the first 10 minutes to reward the some 17,500 fans who had patiently stuck around at Investors Group Field. The win snapped Winnipeg's six-game home losing streak, and gave them back-to-back wins for the first time in 36 games.

The 34-0 score after two quarters was Winnipeg's largest halftime lead since 2003. Hamilton (3-3) tied a dubious franchise record for their biggest halftime deficit. The Tiger-Cats' five turnovers also gave them 11 over two games against Winnipeg, both losses.

On Hamilton's first offensive play, quarterback Jeremiah Masoli threw late on an out route, resulting in an easy pick-6. Rookie cornerback C.J. Roberts easily intercepted the pass and scored on an 18-yard return only 1:47 into the game. Masoli also had an interception returned for a touchdown in the teams' first meeting on July 7.

Less than two minutes later, the Blue Bombers had a one-play scoring drive. Kevin Fogg broke a 36-yard punt return, with a horse-collar penalty on Hamilton's Adrian Tracy tacked on for good measure. On the next play, Nichols faked a bubble screen and connected on a 12-yard touchdown to Clarence Denmark, the former All-Star receiver who was re-acquired after injuries to three of the Blue Bombers' starting receivers.

The Blue Bombers scored 20 points off turnovers in the first half, with rookie safety Taylor Loffler also getting his first career interception and Derek Jones blocking a punt. Fogg returned seven punts for 134 yards to repeatedly give Winnipeg favourable field position.

Nichols was 23-for-31 for 246 yards and two touchdowns. The 29-year-old also had an interception-free night, despite playing with an unfamiliar group of receivers. Denmark, who had only one practice before playing, made seven receptions for 69 yards.

Slotback Thomas Mayo made six receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown for Winnipeg, Andrew Harris added a rushing touchdown, and Justin Medlock was 3-for-3 on field goals.

Hamilton will likely have starting quarterback Zach Collaros back next week for a road game against the B.C. Lions. Collaros is close to being fully recovered from the torn ACL he suffered last October.

Masoli had three interceptions and also lost a fumble, while finishing the night 27-of-46 for 335 yards. The former Oregon Ducks quarterback had only 78 yards in the first half.

The Tiger-Cats didn't score until midway through the third quarter, when Jeff Mathews scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak and Andy Fantuz added a two-point convert.

Brett Maher was 1-for-1 on field goals for Hamilton.

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