In a potential Grey Cup rematch, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (11-4) hosted the Toronto Argonauts (12-2) on Friday night in front of a sold-out crowd at IG Field.
Toronto rested most of their starters for this game including quarterback Chad Kelly. Cameron Dukes made his first career CFL start.
In the first quarter, Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros threw a short pass up the middle to Brady Oliveira for a five-yard touchdown to put the Blue Bombers up 7-0 with 9:24 left. On the third play for Toronto, running back A.J. Ouellette rushed up the middle for a gain of 26 yards. Three plays later, quarterback Cameron Dukes completed a short pass to Ouellette, who rushed up the middle for a 28-yard touchdown that tied the game 7-7 with 5:59 left of the first quarter.
After Winnipeg went two-and-out, Toronto returner Javon Leake returned the punt for 48 yards before he was tackled on the Blue Bombers’ 51-yard line. Toronto quarterback Cameron Dukes threw a short pass to Damonte Coxie, who ran for a gain of 46 yards before he was tackled on the Blue Bombers’ five-yard line. On the next play, Dukes finished the drive off with a five-yard touchdown which made it 14-7 Toronto with 2:07 left of the first quarter.
Winnipeg had the ball for the final series of the first quarter. On the last play, running back Brady Oliveira picked up the first down with a seven-yard run to end the first quarter down 14-7.
In the second quarter, Winnipeg had a couple of long drives but could only get field goals. Winnipeg kicker Sergio Castillo kicked a 26-yard field goal which made it 14-10 with 14:11 left, and converted a 33-yard field goal that made it 14-13 Toronto with 7:17 left.
Late in the second quarter, Toronto kicker Boris Bede converted a 33-yard field goal for a 17-13 lead heading into halftime.
Toronto had 199 yards on offense. Quarterback Cameron Dukes completed 7 of 9 passes (77%) for 139 yards, one touchdown, four carries for 34 yards, and one touchdown. Running back A.J. Ouellette had one carry for 26 yards, one catch for 28 yards, and one touchdown. Wide receiver Damonte Coxie made two catches for 26 yards. Toronto’s defense had one sack.
Winnipeg had 283 yards on offense. Quarterback Zach Collaros completed 16 of 20 passes (80%) for 190 yards, one touchdown, and two carries for nine yards. Running back Brady Oliveira had 11 carries for 94 yards, and wide receiver Dalton Schoen made four catches for 66 yards.
In the third quarter, Toronto returner Javon Leake returned a kickoff for 25 yards before he was tackled on their 48-yard line. After going two-and-out, Boris Bede punted the ball 75 yards into the endzone and out of bounds for a single point. It was now 18-13 with 13:14 left.
Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros completed two passes for 13 yards to start the next drive. They would reach the Argonauts’ 47-yard line before Sergio Castillo missed a 52-yard field goal.
Like in the second quarter, Winnipeg had two long drives in the third quarter but came away with three points when Sergio Castillo made a 49-yard field goal. It was now 18-16 with 1:37 left of the third quarter. On the last play of the third quarter, Toronto quarterback Cameron Dukes completed a seven-yard pass to Dejon Brissett before he was tackled on the Blue Bombers’ 25-yard line.
In the fourth quarter, Toronto kicker Boris Bede made a 32-yard field goal for a 21-16 lead with 14:30 left. Toronto’s defense made a big play when Qwantez Stiggers made a nice leaping interception. However, Winnipeg got the ball back when Deonta McMahon fumbled the ball which was recovered by Deatrick Nichols. Winnipeg took advantage of the turnover when Sergio Castillo kicked a 48-yard field goal that made it 21-19 Toronto with 11:33 left of the fourth quarter.
Winnipeg’s defense made quick work to force a two-and-out to give the ball back to the offense. Winnipeg’s offense marched down to the Argonauts’ two-yard line before Dakota Prukop finished the drive with a two-yard touchdown to give the Blue Bombers their first lead of the game. They failed to get a two-point conversion and the score was now 25-21 with 3:12 left in the game.
For the rest of the fourth quarter, Winnipeg pulled away when Sergio Castillo kicked two field goals. The first one went for 41 yards which made it 28-21 with 1:48 left, and made a 32-yard field goal with 32 seconds left to give the Blue Bombers a 31-21 win over the Argonauts.
While Toronto did not have most of their starters. Their backups did a good job. Quarterback Cameron Dukes played well and might have earned a starting job with another team next year. Do not be surprised if you start to hear Cameron Dukes’ trade rumors soon.
Winnipeg struggled for the majority of this game against backups, and that is a cause for concern. Their defense kept them in the game in the second half and the offense did what they needed to do to get the win.
Winnipeg had 443 yards on offense. Quarterback Zach Collaros completed 22 of 33 passes (66%) for 258 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and three carries for 12 yards. Running back Brady Oliveira had 25 carries for 169 yards, two catches for 12 yards, and one touchdown.
Wide receiver Dalton Schoen made six catches for 101 yards. Winnipeg’s defense made 24 tackles, no sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Toronto had 299 yards on offense. Quarterback Cameron Dukes completed 17 of 24 passes (70.8%) for 231 yards, one touchdown, four carries for 34 yards, and one touchdown. Running back A.J. Ouellette had one carry for 26 yards, one catch for 28 yards, and one touchdown.
Wide receiver Tommy Neild led the receivers with four catches for 58 yards. Toronto’s defense made 54 tackles, one sack, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Next Friday, the Argonauts host the Edmonton Elks at 7 pm on CBS Sports Network, and the Blue Bombers visit the B.C. Lions at 10 pm on CFL+. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2023 CFL Season. Purchase CFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
