Jordan Younger: ‘Maybe a couple’ pass interference calls went Winnipeg’s way in Banjo Bowl

Photo: Samantha Keen/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were charged with one pass interference penalty during their 19-6 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Banjo Bowl, though some critics have suggested there should have been more.

In his first media appearance since the rivalry game, Blue Bombers defensive coordinator Jordan Younger seemed to agree his team may have gotten away with one or two non-calls.

“There’s (pass interference) calls every week people get away with. It’s just one of those games where maybe a couple of them went in our favour,” Younger told the media on Tuesday.

“(Offensive pass interference) happens all the time, every single game — with the emphasis on every single game — so, alright. It fell in our favour. Win some, lose some.”

Roughriders head coach Corey Mace challenged for pass interference on the third play from scrimmage. Ridge Texada was in coverage against Shemar Bridges on a 41-yard deep shot that would have given Saskatchewan a first down in field goal range.

Instead, the replay centre upheld the ruling on the field, which was a non-call. It was a sign of things to come, as Winnipeg defenders provided tight coverage for most of the game, yet drew only one flag for pass interference.

The result was a dominant defensive performance, as the Blue Bombers allowed only six points, 278 net yards, 16 first downs, and four second-down conversions.

Younger believes it was the best performance his defence has had this season.

“We had a good plan and the plan was executed,” he said.

“You go into each game with the hopes that you can execute your plan at a high level each play, and it doesn’t always work out that way. If there’s 60 plays in the game, you’re trying to win the most important ones, as many of those 60 as you can.

“With high-level communication, we’ve been able to check in and out of stuff because we had (defensive back) Redha (Kramdi) back (in the lineup), and that helps out a lot. We were able to execute a high-level game plan against a very good offence.”

Kramdi intercepted Trevor Harris, while the secondary finished the game with 10 pass knockdowns. Evan Holm recorded the most individually with three.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever actually seen (10 pass knockdowns in a game),” said Younger. “I wish a couple more were interceptions, but we’ll take it.”

The penalties were relatively even in the Banjo Bowl, as Saskatchewan was flagged seven times for 65 yards and Winnipeg was penalized six times for 44 yards.

Regardless, it seems the Blue and Gold agree they may have gotten away with a few non-calls along the way.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7-6) will host the Toronto Argonauts (8-6) on Friday, September 25 with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 p.m. EDT. The Blue Bombers were on bye last week, while the Argonauts upset the Edmonton Elks by a score of 24-19.

The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune-in on TSN 1050 in Toronto or 680 CJOB in Winnipeg.