Winnipeg Blue Bombers' quarterback Michael Bishop gets the ball away despite pressure from Edmonton Eskimos defenders in first-half action in Winnipeg on Friday. (John Woods/Canadian Press)Jovon Johnson's third-quarter, 118-yard punt return elevated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers over the Edmonton Eskimos 27-17 Friday at Canad Inns Stadium in Winnipeg.
"I don't think I ever ran that far in my life," said Johnson.
"Definitely not on the football field, maybe on the track."
For the second straight game, Bombers' quarterback Michael Bishop was impressive. After his 312 passing yards and two touchdowns last week, Bishop followed up with 184 passing yards, a touchdown and the win.
Most notable was the veteran signal-caller's strike to receiver Adarius Bowman with 17 seconds left in the first half, giving Winnipeg a 13-10 lead at the break.
But it was a missed Noel Prefontaine field goal that led to the 118-yard run back for a touchdown by Bombers return man Jovon Johnson that sealed the game for Winnipeg.
"It was a big play in the game. The other 11 guys out there on the field gave me some good blocks and the rest is history," said Johnson.
The Blue Bombers' ground game was also dangerous.
Running back Fred Reid had 16 carries for 83 yards and eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the 2009 campaign.
Bowman continued his consistent pace in his third-straight game with a touchdown, and Canadian Brock Ralph chipped in with five receptions for 47 yards and one carry for 24 yards.
In their previous meeting July 2, Winnipeg kicker Alexis Serna missed a last-second field goal to give the Eskimos the win. On Friday, Serna was perfect, going 3-for-3 on field goals from 24, 32, and 41 yards.
Winnipeg head coach Mike Kelly hopes to build on the recent success.
"We've got two in a row here now. We've got our building blocks going. Let's rest up, heal up, get our minds right and this string going," said Kelly.
