Last-minute Liegghio field goal gives Blue Bombers thrilling 18-16 win over Stamps
Rookie kicker Marc Liegghio made a 45-yard field goal with 37 seconds left in his first CFL start and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeated the Calgary Stampeders 18-16 on Sunday.
Calgary veteran kicker Rene Paredes had a chance to win the game with two seconds remaining, but he missed a 52-yarder -- his first miss of the season.
Liegghio also connected on field goals from 50, 42 and 37 yards out. The Western University product from Woodbridge, Ont., was making his pro debut in place of injured Tyler Crapigna.
Paredes had booted a 33-yard field goal with 1:49 remaining to give his team a 16-15 edge before Winnipeg came back for Liegghio's memorable kick. Paredes also made field goals from 35 and 39 yards out, putting him at 12 of 13 on the season.
Bombers (3-1) star running back Andrew Harris, making his CFL season debut after missing the first three games with a calf injury, finished with 17 carries for 81 yards and one touchdown in front of 22,806 fans at IG Field that cheered after his first run.
Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros completed 16-of-25 pass attempts for 243 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.
Stampeders (1-3) rookie quarterback Jake Maier threw a Calgary club-record 17 straight completions. He finished 30 of 39 for 307 yards with no TDs and no picks.
Maier, making his second start in place of injured veteran Bo Levi Mitchell (broken leg), was a perfect 16 of 16 through the first half, added another completion early in the third and then had a pass go incomplete.
Calgary running back Ka'Deem Carey rushed eight times for 66 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown.
Winnipeg led 6-3 after the first quarter. Calgary was up 13-9 at halftime and had a 13-12 edge after three quarters.
The Bombers responded to a Paredes 35-yard field goal midway through the first quarter with Harris' touchdown.
The drive got a huge boost with a 50-yard catch-and-run by receiver Rasheed Bailey, who sped down the sidelines and got a key block before being tripped up at Calgary's two-yard line.
After pushing in for the TD on the next play, an elated Harris spiked the ball in the end zone. Liegghio went wide on the convert attempt and Winnipeg was up 6-3.
Paredes hit a 39-yard field goal at 4:36 of the second quarter, a drive aided by Hergy Mayala's 22-yard reception with his team on second down and 14.
Liegghio made his 50-yarder at 9:14 of the second quarter, capitalizing on a turnover after Calgary receiver Josh Huff was the victim of a forced fumble recovered by Bombers linebacker Adam Bighill.
The Stampeders replied with a four-play, 75-yard drive that Carey finished with a 17-yard run up the middle into the end zone at 11:44.
Maier was 16 of 16 for 168 yards at halftime.
Bombers receiver Kenny Lawler had a 77-yard touchdown reception wiped out early in the third after it was ruled he was down by contact. It ended up being a 33-yard reception and Liegghio capped the drive with a 42-yard field goal at 7:19 to make it 13-12.
Liegghio put the Bombers ahead 15-13 at 9:26 of the fourth, but Paredes put through his 33-yarder at 13:11.
Winnipeg's next drive was aided by a Calgary roughing-the-passer penalty that got the Bombers close enough for Liegghio's winning kick.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 29, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.