The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-0) visited Mosaic Stadium on Friday night against the Saskatchewan Roughriders (1-1) in their first meeting of the season. Coming into this game, both teams were looking to take sole possession of first place in the Western Division. As we’ve seen in the last several seasons, Winnipeg showed us why they are the head of the class in the CFL.
In the first quarter, Winnipeg’s defense made a statement when Saskatchewan faced a third and short with backup quarterback Shea Patterson going for a quarterback sneak but he was denied and the Blue Bombers took over possession.
Quarterback Zach Collaros threw three passes to get inside the Roughriders’ 28-yard line where kicker Sergio Castillo made a 36-yard field goal that put Winnipeg up 3-0 with 7:49 left.
Saskatchewan responded on their next drive. Quarterback Trevor Harris threw three straight passes for 25 yards. Two plays later, Harris threw a 38-yard pass to Tevin Jones on Winnipeg’s five-yard line. On the next play, Harris threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Samuel Emilus, giving the Roughriders a 7-3 lead with 3:31 left.
Late in the first quarter, the Roughriders defense stopped Winnipeg and Saskatchewan got the ball back only to punt it to Winnipeg as time expired. Saskatchewan led 7-3 after one quarter.
Winnipeg did not waste time in the second quarter. On the fifth play of the drive, quarterback Zach Collaros threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Dalton Schoen. Collaros’s pass was low and Schoen made a great adjustment to get the ball, putting the Blue Bombers back up 10-7 with 11:44 left.
On the next Saskatchewan series, quarterback Trevor Harris and running back Jamal Morrow got them to Winnipeg’s 40-yard but the offense collapsed on the next two plays as Harris was sacked twice, forcing them to go for a field goal. They were unable to get a field goal as Brett Lauther missed a 51-yarder and the score remained 10-7 Winnipeg with 7:54 left.
Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros continued to do damage. He threw two passes for 32 yards before they mixed it up with the running game. Winnipeg reached the Roughriders’ four-yard line and Collaros scrambled out of the pocket and into the endzone for the touchdown. It was now 17-7 with 2:50 left.
Late in the second quarter, Saskatchewan cut the Blue Bombers lead 17-14 when Trevor Harris threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Samuel Emilus with 39 seconds left. Winnipeg was looking to add more points before halftime but Saskatchewan’s Pete Robinson sacked Zach Collaros as time ran out. The Blue Bombers led the Roughriders 17-14 at halftime.
In the first half, Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros completed 13 of 20 passes (65%) for 152 yards, one touchdown, two carries for 17 yards, and one touchdown. Running back Brady Oliveira had six carries for 23 yards, and one catch for four yards. Wide receivers Dalton Schoen and Nic Demski combined eight catches for 105 yards, and one touchdown as part of Winnipeg’s 203 yards on offense.
Saskatchewan quarterback Trevor Harris completed 16 of 19 passes (84%) for 215 yards, two touchdowns, and two carries for 10 yards. Running back Jamal Morrow had two carries for 15 yards, and wide receivers Samuel Emilus and Tevin Jones combined with ten catches for 159 yards, and two touchdowns as part of Saskatchewan’s 232 yards on offense.
Saskatchewan got the ball to start the third quarter. On the second play, Trevor Harris threw a deep pass to Shawn Bane Jr. for 45 yards. Four plays later, Harris threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Samuel Emilus that put the Roughriders up 21-17 with 11:34 left.
On the first series for Winnipeg in the second half, Zach Collaros threw six consecutive passes for 66 yards and got help with a defensive pass interference penalty on Saskatchewan, moving the ball to Saskatchewan’s one-yard line. Backup quarterback Dru Brown snuck in for the touchdown to reclaim a 24-21 lead with 6:49 left.
The turning point of the game came when the Roughriders went two and out and punted the ball toward Janarion Grant who got tremendous blocking and ran for a 90-yard touchdown. However, Nic Demski was called for an illegal block and the Blue Bombers challenged the play and succeeded. It was now 31-21 Winnipeg with 5:22 left.
Late in the third quarter, Saskatchewan kicker Brett Lauther made a 30-yard field goal. It was now 31-24 as the third quarter ended with Winnipeg getting the football.
In the fourth quarter, Dru Brown scored a one-yard touchdown but Sergio Castillo missed the extra point. It was now 37-21 with 10:50 left. On the kickoff, Saskatchewan returner Mario Alford let the ball bounce into the endzone for a single point. It was now 38-24 Winnipeg with 10:47 left.
Later in the third quarter, Brett Lauther made a 19-yard field goal as the Roughriders trailed Winnipeg 38-27 with 7:49 left but Winnipeg put the game away with 3:15 left when Zach Collaros scramble out of the pocket before finding Drew Wolitarsky for an 11-yard touchdown that made it 45-27.
Saskatchewan tried to keep the game going but were stopped on third down and the Blue Bombers ran the ball four times to get the first down and ran out the clock. The Blue Bombers defeated the Roughriders by the final score of 45-27.
This was a relatively competitive game until the fourth quarter. Winnipeg continues to do what they do best and that’s score touchdowns. The Roughriders’ secondary had a hard time covering them and if they are going to contend for a playoff spot, let alone get the Grey Cup. They have to do a better job covering Winnipeg’s receivers.
Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros had a huge game completing 23 of 31 passes 74.2%) for 288 yards, two touchdowns, three carries for 17 yards, and one touchdown. Running back Brady Oliveira led the rushers with ten carries for 42 yards, while wide receivers Dalton Schoen, Drew Wolitarsky, and Nic Demski combined with 18 catches for 262 yards and two touchdowns.
Kicker Sergio Castillo made one field goal for 36 yards and Winnipeg’s defense allowed 442 yards, with 38 tackles, four sacks, and one fumble recovery.
Saskatchewan quarterback Trevor Harris completed 29 of 41 passes (71%) for 405 yards, three touchdowns, and three carries for 23 yards. Running back Jamal Morrow had six carries for 25 yards, while wide receivers Shawn Bane Jr., Tevin Jones, and Samuel Emilus combined with 22 catches for 323 yards and three touchdowns.
Kicker Brett Lauther made two field goals with a long of 30 yards, and Saskatchewan’s defense allowed 389 yards, with 44 tackles and one sack.
Next Thursday, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the B.C. Lions at 8:30 pm on CFL+, while the Saskatchewan Roughriders host the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday at 7 pm on CFL+. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2023 CFL Season. Purchase CFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
