Vernon Adams Jr. was sacked nine times and was 13-of-25 passing for 221 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.
Winnipeg’s game-time decision for injured receivers Nic Demski and Rasheed Bailey and running back/receiver Greg McCrae was all three good to go.
However, a big injury hit the Bombers late in the second quarter.
Star middle linebacker Adam Bighill left the field with 1:37 left after appearing to injure his right leg. He didn’t place much weight on his foot when he went to the sideline and rode a cart to the dressing room. He didn’t return.
Oliveira scored on an eight-yard run, pushed the final few yards by the offensive line. Hallett blocked a punt, recovered the ball and ran 15 yards for a TD.
Sergio Castillo connected on field goals from 29, 11 and 35 yards, but missed attempts from 46 and 34 yards. He picked up one single and made two converts.
Lions receiver Justin McInnis caught a 45-yard touchdown pass while Sean Whyte booted field goals from 48 and 43 yards and was good on one convert.
Oliveira was the workhouse in Winnipeg’s first drive, carrying the ball eight times for 59 yards and grabbing an 11-yard catch. His eight-yard touchdown run at 10:31 capped off the series. The only other play in the series was an incomplete pass to Bailey.
After the first quarter, Oliveira had 10 carries for 80 yards and the one TD, plus the 11-yard reception.
Hallett’s touchdown after blocking punter Stefan Flintoft at 5:21 of the second quarter boosted Winnipeg’s lead to 15-3.
Bombers linebacker Kyrie Wilson then intercepted Adams, with the turnover leading to Castillo’s 29-yarder at 9:36.
Adams threw up a Hail Mary with one second left in the half. McInnis came down with the ball in a crowded end zone as time expired for a 45-yard TD reception. A Whyte convert squeezed the score 18-10.
Castillo’s 34-yard attempt hit an upright seven minutes into the third quarter, but Whyte was good on his 43-yarder three minutes later.
Castillo made it 24-13 with a 35-yarder with 3:10 remaining.
