By Canadian Press

Liegghio’s late 55-yard field goal lifts Blue Bombers to 20-18 win over Roughriders

Sep 4, 2022 | 7:11 PM

REGINA — A 55-yard field goal by Marc Liegghio lifted the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to a 20-18 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Sunday at Mosaic Stadium.

The field goal, the longest of Liegghio’s CFL career, came with 2:49 left in the fourth quarter and gave the Bombers their only lead of the game. The victory clinched a playoff spot for the 11-1 Bombers with the Riders dropping to 6-6 with the tough defeat. Winnipeg is 7-0 on the road this season.

The teams combined for 34 points in the first half but the defences tightened after the break, resulting in a scoreless third quarter.

The Riders took an 18-17 lead midway through the fourth quarter on a 77-yard single by punter Kaare Vedvik.

After Liegghio’s field goal, the Riders drove deep into Winnipeg territory only to have quarterback Cody Fajardo intercepted by Jason Mallett on the 14-yard line. Fajardo’s pass was tipped by running back Frankie Hickson and Mallett was in the right place at the right time to make the interception.

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The Riders opened the game with an impressive 11-play, 67-yard drive capped off with a one-yard touchdown from Fajardo on a quarterback sneak.

A single, on the ensuing kickoff, and two field goals from Brett Lauther increased the Saskatchewan lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter.

The Bombers responded with a pair of touchdown passes by Zach Collaros, which were sandwiched around Lauther’s third field goal of the game.

Nick Demski hauled in the first touchdown pass, making a late adjustment on a 50-yard route to make an over-the-shoulder catch. Collaros bought himself some time to find Dalton Schoen on a 22-yard scoring pass that closed the gap to 17-14.

Leigghio hit a 41-yard field goal on the final play of the half to make the score 17-17.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 4, 2022.

Jeff DeDekker, The Canadian Press