On a rainy Friday night at IG Field, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3-0) met the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-3) in a Grey Cup rematch. The game was delayed for 30-minutes due to lightning.
The wet conditions made it hard for both teams to get any offense going. Blue Bombers’ quarterback Zach Collaros went 21/32 for 302 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. Early in the first quarter, Collaros threw a 46-yard pass to Greg Ellingson, setting up a 45-yard field goal from Marc Liegghio for a 3-0 lead. Marc Liegghio made two field goals in the first quarter, and the other went for 30-yards. Ticats kicker Michael Domagala made a 27-yard field goal, and the Blue Bombers led 6-3 after one quarter.
The Ticats tied the game 6-6 with 14:53 left in the second quarter on a Michael Domagala 49-yard field goal. Then, the Blue Bombers took a 7-6 when Marc Liegghio’s punt went out of bounds in the end zone for a single point. Hamilton would regain the lead 9-7 on a Michael Domagala 32-yard field goal with 2:41 left in the second quarter.
The game’s first touchdown went to Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira for a one-yard run that made it 14-9 with 18-seconds left. Brady Oliveira led the rushers with 15 carries for 56-yards and one touchdown. The Ticats’ defense faltered in this game, allowing 389 yards, 54 tackles, four sacks, four pass breakups, and one interception.
In the third quarter, Winnipeg started to pull away. Marc Liegghio punted the ball into the endzone that was declared a dead ball, and Winnipeg got another point, 15-9, with 11:47 left in the third quarter. Liegghio made his third field goal for 41-yards, extending Winnipeg’s lead 18-9 with 3:24 left in the third quarter.
Hamilton’s offense floundered in this game, and it got worse in the fourth quarter when Dane Evans’ pass was intended for Steven Dunbar. Instead, the ball hit Dunbar before Malcolm Thompson knocked it out of his hands and into the air. Willie Jefferson intercepted it and returned it for a 30-yard touchdown, making it 25-9.
The Blue Bombers’ defense allowed 269 yards, with 40 tackles, one sack, three pass breakups, and two interceptions. Hamilton scored their final points of the game with 5:11 left in the fourth quarter on a Michael Domagala 41-yard field goal that made it 25-12 Winnipeg.
The Blue Bombers moved the ball before stalling, and Marc Liegghio punted the ball into the endzone that was conceded, and it was 26-12 with 2:56 left in the game. On Hamilton’s next possession, Dane Evans threw his second interception to Nick Taylor, ending the game, and the Blue Bombers won 26-12.
Winnipeg’s defense continuously shows why they are the best in the league. While the conditions were not great, Winnipeg’s offense found ways to move the ball and give Marc Liegghio chances to score, and he took advantage of it. For Hamilton, the internal battle continues, and they need to make changes before the next game.
Hamilton will return to Tim Hortons Field next Friday against the Edmonton Elks at 7:30 pm on ESPN+. Meanwhile, the Blue Bombers will look to keep their undefeated streak alive against the Toronto Argonauts next Monday at 7:30 pm on ESPN+.
