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Had the Winnipeg Blue Bombers received better efforts from players other than Milt Stegall, the wide receiver's legendary career may not have ended with a Grey Cup defeat.

Stegall was one of the lone bright spots in an otherwise mediocre performance from the Bombers, who fell 23-19 in Sunday's Grey Cup. The league's all-time touchdown leader had four catches for a game-high 85 yards, but Winnipeg couldn't muster much else without him as the city's Grey Cup drought reached 17 years.

Stegall declined comment after the game amid speculation he will retire in the off-season.

"Not right now, guys," said Stegall, who was clearly distraught after the loss. "It's not the right time."

When the horde of reporters continued to swarm, he became agitated.

"You all are just going to stand around?" he asked.

If Stegall's career is over, it will end with outstanding individual achievements — nearly 15,000 receiving yards, 144 touchdowns and a CFL Most Outstanding Player award in 2002 — but no Grey Cup championships. The lifetime Blue Bomber turns 38 in January, and this was his best chance at earning the Grey Cup ring that has eluded him since arriving in the CFL in 1995.

Stegall made all of his catches in the first half, highlighted by a sensational 42-yard reception made while falling backwards to the turf. Yet, the Bombers could only manage a Troy Westwood 16-yard field goal and a pair of safeties in the opening 30 minutes.

Winnipeg's offence was the largest culprit Sunday, with Ryan Dinwiddie looking largely overmatched in his first career CFL start. Dinwiddie was handed the pressure-packed role after regular starter and CFL all-star Kevin Glenn suffered a broken arm in last week's win over Toronto in the East final.

Dinwiddie and Stegall had good chemistry early on, but the inexperienced pivot may have relied on his star receiver too much. It was a pass intended for Stegall that found its way into the arms of Saskatchewan cornerback James Johnson, who rumbled 30 yards untouched for the Riders' lone touchdown of the first half.

After Dinwiddie capped his best drive of the night with a 50-yard touchdown strike to Derick Armstrong, the Boise State alum was picked off by Johnson for a second time. The turnover led to a Roughriders field goal, giving Saskatchewan a 16-14 lead.

The 'Riders never trailed again.

"Give credit to Saskatchwan's defence, they're one of the best in the league," said Dinwiddie. "But I think I made some mistakes that kind of put us out of the game."

Dinwiddie finished 15-of-33 for 225 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions, all thrown to Johnson. The final one came with Winnipeg looking for the go-ahead touchdown in the game's final minute.

Blue Bombers head coach Doug Berry pointed to the turnovers as the main reason for his team's demise.

"A four-point game, and I don't even know what the turnovers were, but we had too many," said Bombers head coach Doug Berry.

Dinwiddie didn't get much help from his backfield. Winnipeg running back Charles Roberts couldn't find many openings and finished with just 13 carries for 47 yards.

The Bombers' defence muted Saskatchewan quarterback Kerry Joseph's aerial attack, but the league's most outstanding player burned the 'Riders with his feet. The league's rushing leader among quarterbacks finished with 101 yards on the ground, turning several broken plays into first downs.

Joseph's only passing score, a 21-yard strike to former Canadian university product Andy Fantuz, put the 'Riders up 23-14 early in the fourth quarter, a deficit Winnipeg couldn't overcome despite threatening on several occasions in the final 10 minutes.

"It's a huge learning lesson for Ryan Dinwiddie," said Westwood. "He did everything he could, but he just couldn't pull it off."