The scene shifted to the west for the Mark’s Labour Day Weekend Sunday between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium.
Coming into this game, the Roughriders were the last unbeaten team in the CFL. In a physical battle of two good defenses, the Blue Bombers came out on top 23-8 to hand the Roughriders their first loss of the season.
Both defenses only allowed sixteen points in the first half. The Blue Bombers took a 7-0 lead after a one-yard touchdown run by backup quarterback Sean McGuire. The Roughriders were shut out in the first quarter and trailed 7-0.
The roles were reversed in the second quarter. After the Roughriders went two-and-out, they punted the ball that bounced into the endzone before Blue Bombers returner Charles Nelson caught it and took a knee, giving a single to the Roughriders. A pair of field goals by Brett Lauther put the Roughriders in the lead 8-7 at halftime.
The second half was all Blue Bombers. Once again, backup quarterback Sean McGuire rushed for a one-yard touchdown. A failed two-point conversion kept the score 13-8. The score remained 13-8 after the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Blue Bombers kicker Marc Liegghio booted a 37-yard field goal for a 16-8 lead with 10:15 left. The Roughriders’ offense was quiet in the second half, and the defense were out of gas. With 5:12 left in the game, the Roughriders’ defense charged at Zach Collaros. Before getting hit, Collaros hit Nic Demski for a 27-yard touchdown to go up 23-8.
The Blue Bombers’ defense kept the Roughriders’ offense out of the endzone, and the Blue Bombers beat the Roughriders 23-8. The win put Winnipeg in first place in the West Division.
Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros went 19/27 for 245-yards, one touchdown, one interception, and 31 rushing yards. Andrew Harris led the team in rushing with 18 carries for 95-yards. Wide receiver Darvin Adams led in receiving with four receptions for 60-yards. The Blue Bombers’ defense recorded three sacks and three interceptions.
For the Roughriders, quarterback Cody Fajardo went 23/39 for 211-yards, three interceptions, and 21 rushing yards. William Powell led in rushing with eight carries for 44-yards. Wide receiver Kyran Moore led in receiving with ten receptions for 79-yards. In addition, the defense recorded a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
These two teams will meet in a rematch at IG Field next Saturday, September 11th, at 4 pm on ESPN+.
