Reilly, Eskimos sputter in first loss of CFL season

WINNEPEG, Manitoba — A slow first half doomed the Edmonton Eskimos in their first loss of the CFL season, dropping a 33-23 game to the Winnepeg Blue Bombers on Thursday.

The Bombers (6-2) ended the league’s longest winning streak and claimed it for their own, tallying their fourth straight win with the upset.

Eskimos quarterback Mike Reilly, a 2003 Flathead High School grad, and the Esks (7-1) sputtered in the first half, only able to muster a field goal in the late second quarter to fall behind 17-3 at the break.

Reilly was more efficient in the third and fourth quarters, throwing for two touchdowns and running in another, but couldn’t get the Eskimos close enough, as the Edmonton defense struggled to get off the field.

The Eskimos didn’t force a punt in the second half as Winnepeg was able to hold off the offensive onslaught.

Winnepeg rolled up 560 yards of offense in the win, with Bombers back Andrew Harris collecting 105 yards on the ground and 120 receiving.

Reilly finished 20 for 33 passing for 356 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He also added a rushing touchdown.

The Eskimos host Saskatchewan (3-4) next Friday with a chance to get back in the win column. This will be the first meeting between the two storied teams this season.