On Friday night at Commonwealth Stadium, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers took on the Edmonton Elks looking to stay undefeated. While this was not the best performance by Winnipeg, they showed why they are still the best team in the CFL.
On Edmonton’s first possession of the game, Elks’ quarterback Taylor Cornelius dropped back to throw the ball that a Blue Bombers defender tipped, and it was intercepted by Deatrick Nichols. On the first play for the Blue Bombers, quarterback Zach Collaros dropped back to throw a 26-yard touchdown to Rasheed Bailey into coverage for a 7-0 lead with 11:12 left in the first quarter.
Edmonton got the ball, and Taylor Cornelius threw many short passes to get Edmonton to Winnipeg’s 45-yard line. Elks’ kicker Sergio Castillo made a 52-yard field goal, cutting Winnipeg’s lead 7-3 with 6:22 left in the first quarter.
The Blue Bombers added a field goal from Marc Liegghio for 20 yards, making it 10-3 with 2:56 left. The Elks had the ball for the rest of the first quarter, trailing 10-3 heading into the second quarter. In the second quarter, the Elks reached the Blue Bombers’ 37-yard line before Sergio Castillo made a 44-yard field goal, making it a four-point game 10-6 with 13:44 left.
Edmonton was in control of the second quarter, moving the ball and the defense intercepted Zach Collaros. However, they were unable to add points to the board. Late in the second quarter, Blue Bombers’ quarterback Zach Collaros threw an 81-yard touchdown to Dalton Schoen, extending Winnipeg’s lead 17-6, heading into halftime.
In the third quarter, Edmonton shut out Winnipeg. Once again, they controlled possession of the ball but only came away with four points. Kicker Sergio Castillo made a 27-yard field goal, making it 17-9 with 8:04 left, then Castillo missed a 48-yard field goal, and Janarion Grant took a knee in the endzone, making it a one-score game, 17-10 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Winnipeg controlled possession and the clock. They took their time getting to Edmonton’s two-yard line before backup quarterback Dru Brown rushed in for the touchdown, making it 24-10 with 2:42 left. Edmonton had two more chances to get back into the game but could not find the endzone, and the Blue Bombers won the game 24-10. The Blue Bombers are now 7-0, while the Elks drop to 2-5.
Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros went 7/16 for 188 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Running back, Brady Oliveira had 13 carries for 62 yards, while Dalton Schoen had four catches for 146 yards and one touchdown. The Blue Bombers’ defense allowed 357 yards, 57 tackles, five sacks, four pass breakups, and one interception. Winnipeg plays Calgary next Saturday at 7 pm on ESPN2.
Edmonton fought hard in this game. However, they could not finish drives to turn them into points. Quarterback Taylor Cornelius was 25/42 for 270 yards, no touchdowns, one interception, and led the rushers with 15 carries for 59 yards, while wide receiver Kenny Lawler had seven catches for 98 yards. The Elks’ defense allowed 274 yards, 29 tackles, two pass breakups, and two interceptions. Edmonton is off next week.
