CFL.ca Staff

WINNIPEG -- Following their Week 2 loss to the Montreal Alouettes, Paul LaPolice took some heat regarding a gutsy decision late in the fourth quarter.

Down by 11 with just over five minutes remaining and facing a crucial third down on the Montreal six-yard line, LaPolice made the executive decision to go for a touchdown, rather than kicking a field goal.

The gamble didn’t pay off for the Bombers, as quarterback Buck Pierce was flushed out of the pocket and eventually fumbled the ball while being sacked by Alouettes defensive end Mike Lockley.

Despite the result, LaPolice continues to stand by his decision.

“I know in the textbook when you’re down 11 you kick a field goal, but sometimes there are other factors that go into that,” said LaPolice on Monday.

“The first thing I would say is, when you’re on the 9, 10, 11, 12 (yard line), anywhere farther back you’re kicking a field goal. But at the six, then you can make a decision possibly if you have a play that can score.”

On Montreal’s ensuing possession, they would extend their lead to 18 thanks to an 11-yard touchdown run by Brandon Whitaker.

Winnipeg would go on to add another touchdown, but ended up losing 41-30. LaPolice went on to say that the situation he was presented with called for the decision to for it on third down.

“We hadn’t stopped them very much on defence and we were missing two starting defensive backs on the next series, Dan West was playing SAM linebacker,” said LaPolice.

“So after talks and thoughts, if I get three points and we’re down eight, they’re going to take the ball at the 35-yard line, get a couple of first downs I figured and kick a field goal and put me down 11 points again.”

“I just felt that we weren’t able to stop them, and that’s what happened, they drove 100 yards for a touchdown and it doesn’t matter what you did after that,” he concluded.

The loss put the Bombers at 0-2, tied for last place in the East Division. They travel to Edmonton to take on the Eskimos (1-1) on Friday night.