The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (14-4) hosted the B.C. Lions (12-6) on Saturday night from IG Field in the Western Final for the second straight season. In the regular season, the Blue Bombers won two out of three games from the Lions.
The Blue Bombers have been the class of the CFL for several years and they showed why they are still the best despite not having key players like wide receiver Dalton Schoen due to injury.
In the first quarter, the Lions took a 3-0 lead when kicker Sean Whyte kicked a 48-yard field goal with 11:27 left. Later in the first quarter, Winnipeg running back Brady Oliveira muscled his way up the middle with help from his offensive line to push him into the endzone for an 8-yard touchdown for a 7-3 lead with 4:13 left. The Blue Bombers led 7-3 after one quarter of play.
In the second quarter, Winnipeg kicker Sergio Castillo attempted a 46-yard field goal but missed it. B.C. returner Terry Williams conceded the single point and it was 8-3 Blue Bombers with 11:18 left. Later in the second quarter, Winnipeg defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat sacked B.C. quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. to force third down.
On third down, Winnipeg’s Nick Hallett blocked B.C. punter Stefan Flintoft’s punt before recovering it for a 15-yard touchdown. It was now 15-3 Winnipeg with 9:31 left of the second quarter. On the next B.C. drive, quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.’s pass was intercepted by Kyrie Wilson. The turnover would lead to a Sergio Castillo 29-yard field goal which made it 18-3 with 5:24 left of the second quarter.
On the last play of the second quarter, B.C. quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. threw a hail Mary. Three Winnipeg defenders attempted to knock the ball down but wide receiver Justin McInnis was there to make the catch for a 45-yard touchdown. Winnipeg led 18-10 at halftime.
Winnipeg had 144 yards on offense. Quarterback Zach Collaros completed 4 of 8 passes (50%) for 50 yards. Running back Brady Oliveira had 14 carries for 101 yards, and one touchdown, and wide receiver Nic Demski made one catch for 19 yards. Winnipeg’s defense made three sacks and forced one turnover in the first half.
B.C. had 116 yards on offense. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. completed 5 of 12 passes (42%) for 90 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Running back Taquan Mizzell had five carries for 37 yards, and wide receiver Justin McInnis made three catches for 77 yards, and one touchdown. B.C.’s defense had one sack in the first half.
For the second half, it was all field goals. In the third quarter, B.C. kicker Sean Whyte made a 43-yard field goal that made it 18-13 with 4:13 left. Winnipeg led 18-13 with one quarter left to play.
In the fourth quarter, Winnipeg defensive back Demario Houston intercepted B.C. quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. The turnover would lead to a Sergio Castillo 11-yard field goal which made it 21-13 with 8:31 left in the game. Late in the fourth quarter, Winnipeg kicker Sergio Castillo put the game away with a 35-yard field goal that made it 24-13 with 3:12 left.
With under a minute left, B.C. quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.’s pass was intercepted by Evan Holm which ended the game. The Blue Bombers defeated the B.C. Lions by the final score of 24-13. They are headed to their fourth straight Grey Cup game.
Winnipeg had 263 yards on offense. Quarterback Zach Collaros completed 14 of 21 passes (67%) for 158 yards. Running back Brady Oliveira had 21 carries for 109 yards, and one touchdown, and wide receiver Kenny Lawler made six catches for 83 yards. Winnipeg’s defense made 30 tackles, nine sacks, and four turnovers including three interceptions.
B.C. had 189 yards on offense. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. completed 13 of 26 passes (50%) for 221 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions, and two carries for seven yards. Running back Taquan Mizzell had five carries for 37 yards, and wide receiver Justin McInnis made four catches for 110 yards and one touchdown. B.C.’s defense made 44 tackles and two sacks.
Next Sunday, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers battle the Montreal Alouettes in the 110th Grey Cup game from Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario, at 6 pm on CFL+. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2023 CFL Season. Purchase CFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
