The B.C. Lions scored two touchdowns off interceptions 26 seconds apart late in the first half and cruised to a 26-10 win Saturday night that ended the Winnipeg Bombers hopes of a home CFL playoff game.
Bomber slotback Milt Stegall failed to score the two touchdowns he needed to set the CFL career record.
Lions quarterback Dave Dickenson threw touchdown passes to Ryan Thelwell and Geroy Simon. Backup quarterback Jarious Jackson also scored on a 10-yard run.
The loss, before a crowd of 33,744, means Winnipeg will finish third in the East Division. The 9-9 Bombers now must travel to Toronto next weekend to face the 10-8 Argonauts in the East semifinal.
Adding to the Bombers woes, quarterback Kevin Glenn sprained his ankle on Winnipeg's second play from scrimmage. That forced the Bombers to go with backup Ryan Dinwiddie, who they signed in August and had never played a CFL game.
Dinwiddie was intercepted three times but did throw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Chris Brazzell in the second quarter. He was replaced by Brad Banks late in the third quarter.
Banks hit Jamie Stoddard with a 15-yard touchdown pass late in the game.
Stegall came into the game with 136 career touchdowns. He needed two more to break the record of 137 shared by Mike Pringle and George Reed.
Stegall didn't see many balls during the game. His best chance for a touchdown came late in the fourth quarter when Banks threw a pass deep into the end zone. B.C.'s Corey Banks outbattled Stegall for the ball and came up with an interception.
The Bombers were clinging to a 7-5 lead with under three minutes left in the first half when the roof caved in.
Dinwiddie had a pass intercepted by Mark Washington, who returned it 43 yards to the Winnipeg 24. Two plays later Dickenson threw a 13-yard strike to Thelwell.
On the next series, safety Barron Miles picked off Dinwiddie for his league-leading 10th interception of the year. One play later Dickenson found Simon for a 24-yard touchdown.
It was the ninth time this year the Lions' defence has held a team to under 20 points.
Paul McCallum kicked a 21-yard field goal for the Lions.
Winnipeg's Troy Westwood kicked a 27-yard field goal and also conceded a safety.
The Lions finish the season 13-5. They went into the final regular season game with first place wrapped up in the West. B.C. will face either Saskatchewan or Calgary in the West Final Nov. 12 at B.C. Place.
The bad news started early for Winnipeg. Glenn hurt his ankle when he was dragged down by B.C.'s Chris Wilson on the Bomber 11-yard line. Glenn limped off the field, then spent the rest of the half sitting on the bench with his shoe off.
Miles also blocked a punt in the third quarter. That gives him nine blocked kicks, leaving him second on the all-time CFL list.
B.C. kick returner Ian Smart also left the game in the first half with a high ankle sprain.
Notes: Lions coach and general manager Wally Buono has again thrown his support behind the Christmas Child Fund, a charity that gathers gifts for under-privileged children. ...An injury to Rob Murphy meant offensive tackle Amariah Farrow got his first start after two years on B.C.'s practice roster. ...Defensive tackle Aaron Hunt, the Lions nominee as the West's top rookie, missed the game with a calf injury.
