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November 3, 2017

Stamps Trail At Half

Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Tristan Okpalaugo, left, looks on as Calgary Stampeders quarterback Andrew Buckley throws the ball during first quarter CFL football action in Calgary, Friday, Nov. 3, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

From a snowy McMahon Stadium, the Stamps have been held scoreless thus far in the regular-season finale.

Two defensive scores by the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers have helped them out to a 23-0 lead as the Stampeders look to avoid their first three-game losing streak since the 2007 campaign.

A first-quarter interception made by Brandon Alexander was returned 45 yards to break the scoreless deadlock early.

From 52 yards out, Justin Medlock then stretched the score to 10-0 by clanking the ball off the post and through the uprights.

The Blue Bombers went up by two scores when Medlock tacked on a 22-yarder and a 28-yard kick on successive possessions.

Momentum was finally gained by Calgary when Rob Cote took a direct snap in punt formation and managed to move the chains, however Tristan Okpalaugo would soon scoop up a Buckley fumble forced by Ian Wild and run it all the way back for six.

In Andrew Buckley’s first CFL start, the 2015 draft pick has gone six-of-10 for 35 yards with 12 more along the ground.

The subsequent turnovers of the first half occurred when Buckley was stuffed by the Bombers’ front –led by linebacker Kyle Knox – and when Messam coughed it up to Kevin Fogg.

Setting a new league record in the second was Winnipeg’s Andrew Harris, when the running back made his 103rd reception of the season.

In addition, fellow tailback Jerome Messam was able to break the 1,000-yard plateau for 2017 before jogging off to the locker-room.