The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders went round two of the Banjo Bowl Saturday afternoon at IG Field. The Roughriders were looking for payback after losing 23-8 last week.
On the Roughriders first possession of the game, the offense marched to the Blue Bombers’ 17-yard line before kicker Brett Lauther’s 25-yard field goal put them up 3-0 with 9:49 left in the first quarter.
On the Blue Bombers second possession of the game, quarterback Zach Collaros and company went down the field to the Roughriders’ one-yard line. Then, backup quarterback Sean McGuire rushed for a one-yard touchdown. A missed extra point made it 6-3 Blue Bombers with 2:52 left in the first quarter. The RoughRiders had the ball to begin the second quarter down 6-3.
In the second quarter, the RoughRiders’ offense were able to get to the Blue Bombers’ 16-yard line before kicker Brett Lauther made a 24-yard field goal that tied the game 6-6 with 12:17 left.
Late in the second quarter, the Roughriders went back to work on their own 20-yard line. They marched down to the Blue Bombers’ 23-yard line, and Brett Lauther made a 30-yard field goal to put the Roughriders up 9-6 with 4:14 left.
On the next Blue Bombers possession, backup quarterback Sean McGuire threw a 50-yard pass to Nic Demski. Zach Collaros was able to get the Blue Bombers to the one-yard line. Then, backup Sean McGuire’s quarterback sneak put the Blue Bombers up 12-9.
After a touchdown, a fight broke out, resulting in two Roughriders defensive players being ejected from the game. Blue Bombers kicker Marc Liegghio missed the extra point, and the game remained 12-9 with 2:34 left in the second quarter. The game remained the same at halftime, with Roughriders getting the ball in the second half.
Early in the third quarter, Roughriders quarterback Cody Fajardo was injured after being sacked by Willie Jefferson. Fajardo’s head hit the turf hard, and he left the game. He was diagnosed with a mild concussion and did not return for the rest of the game. Isaac Harker was the backup quarterback, and the offense struggled the rest of the game.
On the next Blue Bombers possession, Zach Collaros and Andrew Harris led the team down to the Roughriders’ one-yard line. Once again, backup Sean McGuire rushed for a one-yard touchdown. The Blue Bombers lead was 19-9, with 8:55 left in the third quarter. The Blue Bombers led 19-9 at the end of the third quarter. The Blue Bombers had the ball to start the fourth quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, Zach Collaros went deep to Darvin Adams for a 39-yard touchdown pass for a 26-9 lead with 12:54 left in the game. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Roughriders moved the ball to the Blue Bombers’ 50-yard line. On third down, Blue Bombers linebacker Adam Bighill stopped Brayden Lenius short of the first down, resulting in a turnover.
On the Blue Bombers third possession of the fourth quarter, Zach Collaros found Kenny Lawler for a 40-yard touchdown pass for a 33-9 lead with 3:02 left in the game.
After the Roughriders went three-and-out, the Blue Bombers went into a victory formation to take a 33-9 win. The Blue Bombers are now 5-1 on the season.
Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros finished the day 18/22 for 278-yards and two touchdowns. Andrew Harris led the team in rushing with 18 carries for 80-yards. Nic Demski led the team in receiving with five receptions for 134-yards. The defense recorded four sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble.
For the Roughriders, quarterback Cody Fajardo went 11/17 for 169-yards, one interception, and 37 rushing yards. William Powell led the team in rushing with 18 carries for 88-yards. Kian Schaffer-Baker led the team in receiving with seven receptions for 73-yards, and the defense recorded one sack.
Next week, the Roughriders host the Toronto Argonauts on Friday, September 17th, at 9:45 pm on ESPNews. Then, the Blue Bombers visit the Edmonton Elks on Saturday, September 18th, at 9:45 pm on ESPN+.
