It sure looked familiar.

The offense struggled to move the ball.

The defense was on the field way too long.

And even a field goal attempt clanged off the left upright.

Despite all the player changes made in the off-season, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers had the same old issues in a 22-14 loss to the Montreal Alouettes on Friday night at Investors Group Field in their home-opener in front of 26,422 football fans.

The Blue Bombers offense managed just 77 net yards in the first 30 minutes.

"Obviously we need to do more in the first half," said Winnipeg's Drew Willy who was picked off by Montreal linebacker Chip Cox and was also sacked twice in the first two quarters. "We can't not have points in the first half. It puts a lot of pressure on our defense. Our defense was on the field way too much and that's our fault."

Weston Dressler, one of the football club's prized acquisitions during the off-season, left the game with 7:52 remaining in the first quarter.

Dressler caught a seven-yard pass from Willy, put his head down to try and gain a few more yards but took a helmet-to-helmet hit from Alouettes defensive back Ethan Davis.

"It's obviously something big anytime you lose a leader like that on the field," said slotback Ryan Smith on the loss of Dressler. "He brings a knowledge of the game. He knows how to play the game and just to have that leadership and that type of guy with that mentality our there – it hurts you a little bit."

The Bombers offense finally found the Montreal end zone with 2:38 left in the game as Willy and Darwin Adams hooked up on a 63-yard touchdown.

The successful two-point cut the deficit to 22-14 but the Blue Bombers got no closer.

Montreal quarterback Kevin Glenn was outstanding as he completed 30-of-42 passes for 332 yards and one touchdown.

The Alouettes had 431 net yards – 278 of those in the first half.

"I think we could have made some more plays," said Winnipeg cornerback Chris Randle who had a first quarter interception and a second quarter fumble recovery when the Als were in touchdown range. "I think we could have capitalized on our opportunities when they were backed up but they drove the ball and changed the field on us when we should have capitalized on those opportunities."

Montreal also had a second quarter touchdown called back because of a holding penalty.

Winnipeg kicker Justin Medlock booted a 58-yard field goal early in the third quarter which tied Bernie Ruoff's franchise record set in 1975.

He also had a 47-yard attempt late in the first half hit the upright.

The Blue Bombers and Alouettes left the field and headed to their respective locker rooms with 6:57 remaining in the first quarter as the game was delayed for 63 minutes because of lightning in the area.

Winnipeg's next game is Canada Day, July 1st against the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium.


photos courtesy Merle Peters