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In a way, Nichols believes the excruciating nature of the defeat could provide a spark rather than be a letdown as his team approaches to close out the first third of the regular season.

“It’s important to reflect and understand that sometimes games like that are what a team needs to light a fire under their butts a little bit and make sure that it doesn’t happen again,” said Nichols. “In a weird way, it might be a game we look back on towards the end of the season and say that was where it all turned around.”

That doesn’t mean there wasn’t any lingering disappointment though.

“It can go one of two ways, it’s about how you want to respond to (the loss). We’ve got a group of guys here that are moving on from last week, but still not happy about it,” said Blue Bombers receiver Weston Dressler. “It’s good that guys are pissed off. We want to be better. If everyone was happy-go-lucky this week, then I’d be a little worried. We’re focusing on what we have to do this week.”

D IS FOR DISCIPLINE

The Blue Bombers defence took three costly 15-yard penalties that extended Lions drives during the second half on Saturday, including a pair by Jackson Jeffcoat — who was flagged for roughing the passer on one play and for a horse-collar tackle on the other.

On all three occasions, the Blue Bombers would have forced the Lions to punt if the penalties were not called and Jeffcoat was quick to take full responsibility for the infractions.