As Shakir Bell prepared to receive his blessing, the heavens parted.

The Edmonton Eskimos won ugly whilst wrapping their home-and-home sweep of the Ottawa Redblacks, prevailing 23-12 despite three interceptions — two in the end zone — by erstwhile backup quarterback Matt Nichols amid a heavy downpour at TD Place. While the Eskimos (2-1) have a lot to clean up, Bell helped them to avert disaster by rushing 18 times for 144 yards in his CFL debut.

While weather is a great equalizer, Bell looked a cut above. A quick glance at the vitals says that he is 5-foot-8 and 185 pounds, but he did most of his damage between the tackles. His contribution allowed the Eskimos to keep Kendial Lawrence at slotback, where the second-year star caught at 63-yard touchdown pass from Nichols for the ahead-for-good points with 10:23 left.

"As soon as we saw that it was raining, I was preparing to get the ball more," said Bell, who was moved off the practice roster after Chad Simpson was placed on the one-game injured list. "Definitely salivating a little bit. Whether it is rain, sleet, snow, sunshine, we're going to get the job done.I definitely had a few games like that in college. I am used to being the workhorse. As you can see from my game, I am a short guy, but I definitely like to hit."

Bell shone at Indiana State for four seasons. His collegiate career ended somewhat enigmatically in October 2013 after the Terre Haute, Ind., school stated tha he had sustained a season-ending injury. The CFL is a second-chance league, though, and after waiting his turn through the first three weeks, he was ready.

"Like I tweeted earlier and put on Facebook, it's a blessing. Out for a year and a half and just to get this opportunity is a blessing. I'm happy to be here with this traditionally based organization and help them win.

"I went to pretty prestigious high school [Warren Central in Indianapolis] where we had a lot of running backs that were amazing talents," Bell said. "I learned to be patient. I was definitely watching the things Chad was doing. It was a blessing in disguise to wait."

Bell's only blemish was a fumble that rolled out of bounds before Ottawa's Brandyn Thompson could get a hand on it to earn a change of possession. Nichols (18-of-33, 242 yards) was sacked twice, but each takedown was due to Ottawa having tight pass coverage.

"He runs with a lot of heart and a lot of determination," Eskimos coach Chris Jones said of Bell. "He averaged six and seven yards a carry in college and it probably wasn't because they had a great offensive line. He's a good player. He was a tremendous player in college and high school. He's a legitimate back who's had the ball in his hands a lot in his career. If he continues to stay in his playbook, learns his pass protections and hangs on to the football, he's going to have a good career."

Bell's joie de vivre shone after the Eskimos put the win on the book. While most players walked from the bench to the visitors' locker room with an a-win's-a-win mien, he scampered down the hall and leapt up to tap a door frame. It was a playful reminder that there's a long history of little big men finding a home in the three-down league. After all, Hamilton's Brandon Banks is listed at 5-foot-7 and 155 pounds, and Bell's listed height of 5-8 seems a trifle generous.

"When I first got the call from Edmonton, I did my research," Bell said. "I looked up [Hall of Fame return specialist] Gizmo [Williams] and saw his returns. I just want to go anywhere and be special.

"I can shout-out all my teammates," Bell added. "Definitely Calvin McCarty. Definitely Kendial Lawrence. Definitely John White [the starter who is out for the season]. "I've taken a piece of their games and put it into my own. It's a family here."

Willis benched, Nichols struggles

Ottawa (2-2), coming off a 46-17 defeat at Edmonton on July 9, went ahead 12-11 with 11:43 left in the fourth quarter. Henry Burris (29-of-39, 252 yards, one interception) scored on a one-yard sneak to punctuate a 17-play, 106-yard drive. The march was extended by objectionable conduct penalty on defensive end Odell Willis that negated a punting situation and kept Ottawa's offence on the field. Even though the game was tight, Willis was benched for the duration. Edmonton went right back in front after Lawrence's touchdown and Grant Shaw kicked two insurance field goals, completing a 5-for-5 night.

Story continues