Eskimos trounce Blue Bombers to heat up playoff race

With John White back in peak form, the Edmonton Eskimos drew within two points of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers with a 40-26 road win on Friday.

The running back returned from missing two weeks due to a shoulder injury to gain 168 combined yards and figure prominently in all four Eskimos touchdown drives. Mike Reilly was also turnover-free as Edmonton (7-7) moved closer to third-place Winnipeg (8-6) in the West Division race. Edmonton secured a season-series tiebreaker as well.

Edmonton has more points than Ottawa (6-5-1), Hamilton (6-7), and Toronto (5-8), so a crossover playoff berth in the East is a distinct possibility.

Winnipeg, with a characteristic fourth-quarter surge, twice got within six points in the fourth quarter. Each time, Edmonton responded with a scoring drive.

White slashed through the line with a key 27-yard rush into the red zone to help set up a field goal, which Winnipeg answered with a 54-yarder from Justin Medlock. With 1:46 left and Edmonton facing second down and 6, Blue Bombers cornerback Terrence Frederick failed on his gamble for an interception on a sideline pass to Derel Walker. Walker sprinted down the sideline for a backbreaking 61-yard touchdown, and White ran in the two-point convert.

White had 19 rushes for a season-high 104 yards and two touchdowns. The fourth-year veteran made seven receptions for another 64.

Reilly was 32-of-38 for 355 yards with two TDs. Walker (eight receptions, 120 yards) and CFL receiving leader Adarius Bowman (8-97) also scored. Sean Whyte was 3-of-3 on field goals.

Winnipeg QB Matt Nichols was 26-of-41 for 330 yards with two TDs and one interception. Tim Flanders tallied 128 combined yards (12 rushes for 65, five receptions for 63). Weston Dressler (four receptions for 79 yards) and Clarence Denmark (4-64) scored Winnipeg's touchdowns. Justin Medlock was 4-of-5 on field goals, and added a 92-yard kickoff single.

Winnipeg is 1-4 when trailing at the half.

Edmonton gained an 11-point swing in the second quarter after Winnipeg squandered two golden opportunities. Dressler was headed for the end zone when MLB J.C. Sherritt ripped the ball loose at the 2-yard line, with OLB Deon Lacey making the fumble recovery.

Edmonton was rewarded for punting instead of taking a safety on its ensuing two-and-out. An illegal block penalty on Winnipeg's Jesse Briggs negated a 40-yard punt-return touchdown by CB Kevin Fogg.

It was the fourth time this season that Fogg has had a punt-return TD wiped out by a penalty. Edmonton's defence held Winnipeg to a field goal on the ensuing possession.

Reilly responded with a rapid five-play, 75-yard drive, with Bowman scoring on a 15-yard catch. White kick-started the drive with a 30-yard pass-and-run play.

In the final minute of the half, a debatable 36-yard pass interference penalty on Maurice Leggett set up Edmonton's third TD. Winnipeg coach Michael O'Shea opted against a challenge. On the next play, White shook off Tony Burnett and bounced outside to score on a 5-yard rush.

Winnipeg hosts the B.C. Lions in a battle for second place in the West on Oct. 8 at 4 p.m. ET. Edmonton visits the Montreal Alouettes on Thanksgiving Day, Oct. 10.