WINNIPEG, Manitoba (CP) - Michael Bishop threw for a season-high 411 yards and two touchdowns as the Blue Bombers kept their playoff hopes alive with a 41-24 win over the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday.
The victory came in front of a season-low crowd of 21,378 at Canad Inns Stadium and bumped Winnipeg's record to 7-9.
The Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats (7-9) are tied for second place in the CFL East Division.
Montreal, which started second-year quarterback Adrian McPherson instead of veteran Anthony Calvillo (sore calf), retains first place in the East at 13-3.
In his first CFL start, McPherson ran in a nine-yard TD and completed 20 of 35 pass attempts for 232 yards and one TD. He carried the ball 11 times for 95 yards.
Bishop completed 17-of-33 passes and was dinged for an interception that wasn't a real pick. He was replaced by Casey Bramlet late in the fourth quarter.
The two clubs play again next Sunday in Montreal.
Winnipeg receiver Terrence Edwards caught a 57-yard TD pass from Bishop and Titus Ryan hauled in a 53-yard bomb for a second score 52 seconds apart late in the first half.
It was Ryan's first start for Winnipeg since arriving in a trade with Calgary on Sept. 20 along with defensive end Odell Willis and receiver Jabari Arthur.
Willis notched two QB sacks and teammate DE Phillip Hunt, a free-agent signing last month, also had a pair.
Winnipeg and Montreal went into the game tied for the league lead in fewest QB sacks allowed (25).
Edwards also pulled in a 50-yard reception, but was tripped up on the way to the end zone. The third-quarter catch set up a one-yard TD run by Bomber backup QB Ricky Santos, who was acquired in a trade last month with Montreal.
Bomber kick returner and cornerback Jovon Johnson weaved back and forth across the field as he took a punt back 79 yards for a TD midway through the fourth quarter to make it 41-18.
Bomber kicker Alexis Serna hit all four of his field-goal attempts from 23, 29, 20 and 15 yards. Punter Troy Westwood, playing in his first game back with his old club, had a single.
As Westwood trotted on to the field for his first punt, fans started cheering, clapping and some stood for the 17-year vet who was cut in last year's training camp.
Montreal kicker Damon Duval was three-for-three on his field goals from 28, 41 and 30 yards. Westwood conceded a safety for another two Alouette points.
The Als' TDs came off a nine-yard run by McPherson in the third quarter and a 19-yard pass from McPherson to receiver Andrew Hawkins at 9:24 of the fourth that made the score 41-24 after a failed two-point convert.
It was a kicking duel for most of the first half, but Edwards and Ryan's TDs gave Winnipeg a 24-9 lead at halftime.
The Als scored on their first series of the game with Duval's 28-yarder, aided by a 21-yard run from Avon Cobourne.
Bishop responded quickly, flinging his first pass of the game 43 yards to Adarius Bowman. The drive ended with Serna's 23-yarder.
With Duval's 41-yarder and Westwood's single, Montreal was up 6-4 after the first quarter.
After a pair of field goals by Serna and one by Duval, Winnipeg scored the pair of TDs 52 seconds apart late in the second.
Bishop, who often overthrew receivers in last week's loss to B.C., was on the money for Edwards' TD at 13:52 and Ryan's TD reception with 16 seconds left.
Winnipeg held a 31-18 lead after three quarters.
Notes: Montreal DT Eric Wilson left the game early with a knee injury.
