On Friday night, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot with a 26-16 win against the Edmonton Elks. Winnipeg welcomed back Kenny Lawlor, who was suspended last week for DUI. The Blue Bombers improved their record to 9-1 on the season.
Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros was 15/24 for 210-yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Collaros’s touchdowns came in the second and fourth quarters.
In the second quarter, he threw a five-yard touchdown pass to running back Andrew Harris for a 10-5 lead with 3:20 left. Andrew Harris was injured after the touchdown and did not return for the rest of the game. He finished the game with carries for 39-yards, one catch for five yards, and one touchdown.
Collaros dropped back from the pocket in the fourth quarter to find Rasheed Bailey for a five-yard touchdown that put them up 23-16 with 8:44. Bailey had six catches for 93-yards and one touchdown in the game.
The rest of the Blue Bombers points came from kicker Ali Mourtada, who made four field goals, with his longest being a 43-yarder.
Brady Oliveira replaced Andrew Harris and had 16 carries for 106-yards. The Blue Bombers’ defense sacked Taylor Cornelius four times, along with one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Elks quarterback Taylor Cornelius was 17/29 for 187 yards, one touchdown, and four carries for 19-yards. In the third quarter, his touchdown pass came on a play-action before finding Shai Ross for an eleven-yard touchdown. The Elks converted a two-point conversion that tied the game 16-16 with 2:55 left. Elks running back James Wilder had eleven carries for 44 yards, and wide receiver Greg Ellingson had three catches for 67 yards.
The rest of the Elks points were from a safety and two field goals by kicker Sean Whyte. His longest field goal was 34-yards. The Elks defense sacked Zach Collaros four times and intercepted him once.
Next week, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the BC Lions on Saturday, October 23rd, at 7 pm on ESPN+. The Edmonton Elks are on a bye week.
