The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are in one of the darkest periods in their 85-year franchise history.

They've lost seven straight games for just the seventh time since 1930, and one more setback on Saturday, against the B.C. Lions in a must-win game, will give them their third longest skid ever.

Despite those gloomy statistics, there is more hope for the future of the franchise in the locker-room this year than there was last year at this time.

“We're a competitive team this year,” middle linebacker Ian Wild said. “We should be winning games that we're not. So that makes it a little bit harder. Last year we really didn't have much hope. This year we've got it in us, and that's what's tough about these losses.”

Interestingly, Winnipeg got outscored 246-140 during last year's seven-game losing streak and in this one it has been outscored 223-126. So the Bombers are giving up fewer points, but they're scoring fewer as well despite having more stability at the quarterback position.

The offensive game plan had more variety Saturday night during the 33-23 loss to the league-leading Calgary Stampeders, and third-stringer Robert Marve was able to add some pizzazz to the attack in the fourth quarter thanks to his mobility, which caught Calgary off guard.

“We had a little bit of momentum,” Marve said. “I felt like the whole stadium could feel it. Defence was stepping up big for us. Special teams was starting to hit. ... I kind of felt the momentum shift, and I definitely would have liked to have a drive at the end to see if we could make some magic happen, especially at home, but the opportunity didn't come. It's time to move on to B.C.”

The opportunity didn't come because the defence was its usual inept self, giving up a ridiculous number of rushing yards yet again. It was expected, though, as the Stamps boast the league's best running back in Jon Cornish. The only problem is Winnipeg kept him in check for most of the fourth quarter until it mattered most. To that point the Bomber plan to use bigger and more ferocious outside linebackers was working relatively well. It failed at the most crucial juncture of the game, though, as Cornish ran down the field and scored the insurance major.

“It was kind of the story of our season, coming up a play short every time,” said Don Unamba, one of the linebackers employed to try and stop Cornish. “We got them in a couple of second-and-long and second-and-medium, and just didn't finish. We came up short again.”

Cornish ended up with 160 yards on 21 carries, which was actually in the middle of the pack when it came to his per-carry averages this season. Still, Winnipeg's front seven needs to be better if the Bombers are going to have any hope of pulling this season out of the fire.

The Bombers have to win the rest of their games, including Saturday's home game against B.C., and hope the Lions lose their last two contests against Edmonton and Calgary. They also have to hope the top three East Division teams don't get to eight wins. If not, they will miss the post-season for the fifth time in the last six years and the Grey Cup drought will hit 24 years.

“Hope's definitely still there,” Wild said. “I know some things have to play out in order for it to work out for us. We gotta win one game at a time right now. Same outlook.”

Quarterback Drew Willy (hand) is expected to be back under centre on Saturday against the Lions, but quarterback Brian Brohm (finger), slotback Nick Moore (lower body), defensive end Greg Peach (knee) and defensive back Demond Washington (head) suffered injuries against the Stampeders.

kirk.penton@sunmedia.ca

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