Blue Bombers hold on to beat Argos

It was too little, too late for the Toronto Argonauts, who now find themselves alone in the CFL East Division basement after losing to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 29-24 in a  heated match Saturday.

The Blue Bombers (4-8), who came into the game tied with the Argos for last place in the East, are now just one game behind the B.C. Lions for the last playoff spot.

They led 27-9 in the fourth before the Argos rallied desperately.

"I've never wavered from this team, and I'm not going to waver from this team and how we're approaching things here," Bombers head coach Mike Kelly said. "We let things get a little bit away from us for a period tonight, but our guys persevered. And that's what we have, are tough men that have no quit in them."

Throughout the game, words and shoves were constantly exchanged. Tempers boiled over in the fourth as numerous skirmishes ensued after a Blue Bombers interception was called back.

Toronto linebacker Zeke Moreno and tackle Rob Murphy, along with defensive back Brandon Stewart and defensive lineman Dorian Smith of Winnipeg, were ejected after the scuffle.

The Winnipeg defence was relentless against Toronto's offence early in the game, holding the Argos to 155 total yards at half, while Blue Bombers quarterback Michael Bishop threw for 310 yards and two touchdowns.

"Thank God for giving me the opportunity to put up with all the negativity," Bishop said of the criticism surrounding the Bombers of late. "People texting my cellphone with all kind of crazy stuff. I can handle it. When I'm out there on the field and I know that my teammates are battling with me, it's a whole different ball game."

Winnipeg's Fred Reid rushed for 60 yards and had one 24-yard reception that led to a touchdown.

Serna kicks 56-yard field goal

On special teams, Alexis Serna was successful on four of five field-goal attempts — none more impressive then his first, a 56-yarder.

Argos quarterback Cody Pickett, who went 13 for 22 and threw for 98 yards, was replaced by Kerry Joseph in the third quarter. Joseph's first throw was intercepted by defensive back Lenny Walls, but the Blue Bombers were unable to capitalize and were forced to punt.

The Argos found some life in the fourth quarter, erasing a 20-point Blue Bombers lead.

"Once we got into a rhythm we started moving the ball pretty well," Joseph said. "You've just got to give Winnipeg credit: They made the plays when they had to."

It started after a Serna punt was blocked and returned by André Durie for a touchdown. On the ensuing kick return, the Blue Bombers were forced into a touchback, resulting in another Argos point and making it 29-17.

Joseph then capped a 10-play, 79-yard drive by running five yards for a major, pulling the Argos within five points.

With the game billed as a battle of the worst, the pressure could be on Toronto coach Bart Andrus.

"Confidence-wise, they showed they have the ability to play with confidence," Andrus said of his players. "They have the ability to play and fight till the end of a game.… But we have yet to have that game where we're playing well in all three phases."

Winnipeg, which hosted the CFL Hall of Fame ceremonies for the first time, honoured inductees Tony Anselmo, Alondra Johnson, Jim Mills, Rudy Phillips and Glen Weir during the game.