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Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Close isn't good enough
If the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are going to get back into the West Division race, they need to take care of business at home against sub-.500 teams. They have a chance to do just that tonight when they host the Ottawa Redblacks (3-6) at 7:30 p.m. BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS files Reciever Keric Wheatfall's (right) production has dropped significantly since the beginning of the season. After jumping out to a perfect 3-0, the 4-4 Bombers have dropped four of their last five and are coming off a heartbreaking 28-27 road loss in Calgary on Saturday. They started 2-6 in 2024 and turned out just fine by making it all the way to the Grey Cup, but the jury's still out on whether or not this is a group that has another rally in them. A loss to Ottawa would suggest otherwise. 'With the games we've had, we felt like we were really close to winning some of them. But, close enough isn't good enough,' said Bombers guard Patrick Neufeuld on Wednesday. 'You have to be able to go out, despite the circumstance, and overcome any sort of adversity you face and find a way to get a win. I think we're close, and we're really looking forward to playing in front of our crowd here.' After opening 2025 at 1-6, the Redblacks — led by Winnipeg's own Bob Dyce at head coach — have picked themselves off the mat with back-to-back wins. They exploited a dismal Toronto defence on Saturday by prevailing in a 46-42 shootout over the Argonauts which is the most points the franchise has scored since they were called the Rough Riders and dropped 46 on the Birmingham Barracudas in 1995. To prepare you for kickoff, here's the latest edition of 5 Storylines. NOT-SO-SCARY SECONDARY When Wednesday's walkthrough practice came to a close, defensive co-ordinator Jordan Younger and the entire secondary stayed on the field for some extra work. It's a unit that needs all the help it can get at this point as weak-side corner Terrell Bonds suffered a season-ending knee injury last week and strong-side corner Jamal Parker is slated to miss his second contest in a row. Sliding in for Bonds is rookie Trey Vaval who will make his first career start on defence. Vaval — the team's return specialist — has played in spurts on defence these past three weeks and there was a noticeable dropoff every time. It's a tall task returning kicks/punts while also trying to be a steady defender. 'You've got to be in shape. It's really tough, especially to keep that burst as a returner,' explained halfback Evan Holm, who also has experience as a returner. 'They're going to come after you at corner, so, you have to have that, and I think Trey does. He's fast, so I think he's going to do a great job.' Dexter Lawson Jr. starts at the other corner spot and he'll need to be better in his second game as he was picked apart by Vernon Adams Jr. in Calgary. With Bonds off the roster, the Bombers will dress rookie safety Cam Allen who will see the field in certain packages. The 25-year-old out of Purdue showed flashes in training camp and the Bombers are hoping that translates to game day as they could desperately use a breakout star on the back end. 'I know I'm expecting a couple shots from them to come at me,' said Allen. 'A guy like me, I'm very confident in my play so I want those plays. If they go away from you all game, you ain't got no opportunity to make a play. So, I'm just ready for the opportunity.' The Bombers have allowed 72 points combined in their last two outings at Princess Auto Stadium which is the most points surrendered in consecutive games at home since 2018. OTTAWA MISSING THREE ON D The Bombers aren't the only ones banged up on defence. Ottawa placed weak-side linebacker Frankie Griffin, halfback Amari Henderson and corner Alijah McGhee all on the injured list this week. Starting defensive tackle Cleyon Laing is also listed as a game-time decision. It's bad news for a Redblacks side that is already coughing up 28.4 points per game — which is the third-highest mark in the CFL — and rank middle of the pack in most defensive categories. The door is open for the Bombers to have a huge day, but they haven't exactly lit it up against Ottawa recently as Winnipeg has been held to fewer than 20 points in four of their previous six meetings. BROWN'S BACK IN TOWN Dru Brown made his first trip back to Winnipeg last season and it didn't go as planned. He slid to the ground when Bombers linebacker Redha Kramdi's elbow connected with his head on a late hit that took him out of the game in the second quarter. The Redblacks never recovered and went on to lose 25-16. 'It sucked,' is how Brown summed it up Wednesday shortly after landing in the Manitoba capital. 'I think every time you're going up against your buddies you want to win… To not be able to finish that was frustrating, but I'm looking forward to it (Thursday).' Brown — who broke into the CFL with the Bombers in 2021 and spent three years with the team — is hoping for a much different result this time out, and if he looks anything like he did in Toronto, it could be a tough evening in Bomberland. Brown torched the Argos for 373 passing yards and a career-high five touchdown passes. The one time he played a full four quarters against the Bombers (June 13, 2024 in Ottawa) he led the Redblacks to a 23-19 victory. 'He's very good,' said Holm. 'We got to play our best to stop him.' WHERE'S WHEATFALL? It's no secret the Bombers are lacking in talent in their receiver room right now outside of Nic Demski. With Dalton Schoen out of action, there's a lot of targets up for grabs and second-year receiver Keric Wheatfall has failed to seize the opportunity. After totalling 213 receiving yards and a touchdown in the first two games, Wheatfall has fallen silent as he hasn't eclipsed 25 yards in four of his last five showings and hasn't found the end zone since Week 4. Jerreth Sterns (28 catches, 290 yards, and three touchdowns) is on pace for career numbers across the board, but doesn't offer the same big play ability that Wheatfall does. As for Ottawa, they have zero issues with their pass catchers. Eugene Lewis and Justin Hardy both rank in the top 12 in receiving and combined for 157 yards and four touchdowns vs. the Boatmen. OFFENSIVE PLAY You can't just point the finger at Wheatfall — the entire offence needs to be better. 'We gotta not turn the ball over and score touchdowns. It's pretty simple,' said Neufeld. The Bombers haven't made it look simple, though. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. They've committed more turnovers (26) than anyone and the offence has scored the second fewest touchdowns (17) in the nine-team circuit. It's been a first half to forget for quarterback Zach Collaros who has been suspended, hurt, and has tossed way too many picks (eight in six games). It could be him, or it could be the fact he no longer has the luxury of airing it out to Kenny Lawler and/or Schoen, but either way, Collaros needs to find a way to push the ball downfield with the weapons he's stuck with. The fact running back Brady Oliveira — who did catch nine passes for 100 yards last week – still hasn't rushed for 100 yards in a game this season is mindblowing. First-year offensive co-ordinator Jason Hogan has made a habit of getting away from his star tailback in the final two quarters and that needs to stop. Ottawa has scored just 21 points in the first quarter this season, so if Collaros and Co. come out strong, there's a good chance they can put the visitors in a hole early. Taylor AllenReporter Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor. Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Whatever it takes to get it done'
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers may be 3-3 on paper, but things feel so much worse than that right now. They've lost three in a row by double-digits and starting quarterback Zach Collaros is sidelined with a neck injury. Time to hit the panic button? It's a bit early for that. A loss tonight against the visiting Toronto Argonauts (7:30 p.m.) will have Blue and Gold diehards tempted to do so. The 2-5 Argos have won three consecutive meetings against Winnipeg, including last week's 31-17 beatdown in Toronto. The Bombers, now led by No. 2 QB Chris Streveler and a defence that will look much different from the one in the previous outing, will need be sharper in all areas to split the series. 'Whatever it takes to get it done, man. That's the mindset going into this game,' said Streveler. 'We need some energy, so, I'm going to do whatever it takes to help us get the win and I know that's the mindset in that locker room right now.' To get you ready for game day, here's another edition of 5 Storylines. Chris Streveler's last start at Princess Auto Stadium couldn't have gone much better. It was in Week 2 against B.C., and it was arguably the best overall game of his career: 246 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in a 34-20 win. John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS Chris Streveler (left) and Brady Oliveira will be key to the Bombers success against the Toronto Argonauts. John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS Chris Streveler (left) and Brady Oliveira will be key to the Bombers success against the Toronto Argonauts. Since then, it hasn't been as pretty. He threw a red-zone interception and a pick-six two weeks ago vs. Calgary when subbing in for an injured Zach Collaros. In a similar situation last week in T.O., Streveler was better — completing 11-of-18 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown — but didn't do enough to get the Bombers back in the game. With Collaros down and out – it remains to be seen for how long — the door is open for Streveler to improve on his 6-8 career record as a starter and, more importantly, get the Bombers back on track. A big reason for the team's struggles is their inconsistent air attack. Their 264.8 passing yards per game ranks seventh, their 90.2 pass efficiency rating ranks eighth, and their 11 interceptions are the most in the CFL. Streveler hasn't made a name for himself with a world-renowned arm, but at this point, his can't be much worse than what Collaros's has offered lately. Field-side corner back Marquise Bridges has been benched. Taking his spot is Jamal Parker, who is moving down from safety. Replacing Parker at safety is Canadian Redha Kramdi. Sliding in at Kramdi's dime back position is Michael Griffin, who is making his first start of the year. You got all that? The Bombers don't bench players due to their production often, but Bridges gave the club no choice as they are in desperate need of a shakeup and he has given up way too many big plays to justify keeping him out there. The most damning stat is the Bombers are allowing opponents to convert on second down 50.8 per cent of the time which has them seventh in the league. Argos journeyman QB Nick Arbuckle had no problem on second and long en route to having one of the best games of his career last week — even in the rainy conditions — by completing 22-of-31 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns. In the two games before that, Calgary Stampeders pivot Vernon Adams Jr. combined for 489 passing yards, five touchdowns and one interception in back-to-back victories over Winnipeg. CHRISTOPHER KATSAROV / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Argonauts quarterback Nick Arbuckle CHRISTOPHER KATSAROV / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Argonauts quarterback Nick Arbuckle It'll be interesting to see if it works, especially for Kramdi who has never played safety in the pros, but O'Shea has no qualms about trusting him to be the last line of defence. 'Redha could play eight different positions, probably. If you told him to play nose guard, he'd probably figure out a way to get it done,' said O'Shea. Since joining the Bombers last season, Griffin has played mostly special teams while also getting some action on defence. He made four starts with Calgary in 2023 and now has a chance to show if he can be a full-time starter. Will Dillon Mitchell ever make his Blue Bombers debut? The Blue and Gold have an opening at slotback with Dalton Schoen on the six-game injured list and Kody Case suffering an ankle injury last week. Instead of giving Mitchell — who signed a one-year deal worth worth $148,000 in hard money, including a $63,300 signing bonus after three strong seasons in Edmonton — a shot, the club is rolling with fifth-round Canadian rookie Joey Corcoran. Corcoran has appeared in six games this year in a special teams capacity but has six catches for 36 yards to his name. O'Shea said he likes the physicality and blocking that Corcoran brings to the table, and that Mitchell fits better at the 'X' position where Keric Wheatfall currently resides. It's a headscratcher, especially since Mitchell has had a taste of playing the slot before with the Elks, but the fact that he hasn't suited up at all through seven games makes it hard to label his signing as anything but a bust. With that, and Schoen's injury, the Bombers might just have the worst receiving unit in the CFL at the moment. It's not all bad news in Bomberland these days. They do still have the reigning CFL Most Outstanding Player at running back in Brady Oliveira, after all. NATHAN DENETTE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Bombers running back Brady Oliveira (left) NATHAN DENETTE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Bombers running back Brady Oliveira (left) If there's ever been a time to lean on him early and often, it's now. The Bombers can't afford to dig themselves a hole in the opening half like they have in the last three weeks as it's made them shy away from the ground game in the closing quarters. Oliveira hasn't been able to put his stamp on a contest just yet, but in his limited touches, he's looked as good as ever. He recorded 13 carries for 82 yards in Game 1 vs. Toronto and has a career-best 6.0 yards per carry average on 43 touches in four appearances this summer. The Boatmen have been brutal against the run all year, surrendering 117.6 rushing yards per game. Eric Lofton started every game last year at right tackle, but a knee injury in training camp has prevented the 32-year-old from seeing the field at all in 2025. The 32-year-old veteran is now healthy at the perfect time as the Bombers are without Stanley Bryant (ankle) and Micah Vanterpool (ankle) and need someone to slide in at left tackle. Lofton, who also made 14 starts at right tackle with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2023, has been a serviceable player in his career but doesn't have as much experience on the left side. 'It's little off at first, going from right to left. Not gonna lie, it's kind of like going to the bathroom and using the other hand to wipe,' said Lofton. 'But once you get used to it, football is football. I know the play, I know my job, I know the assignment, now, let's go play.' Toronto is third in sacks with 15 and are led by defensive end Andrew Chatfield Jr. who tops the CFL with five. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Taylor AllenReporter Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor. Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Bombers look to bounce back
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were knocked down — flattened, actually — and, for the first time this season, they need to show they can get back up. The club was collectively tossed around in a lopsided 37-16 road defeat to the Calgary Stampeders in Week 5, but, after taking the bye week to dust themselves off, it has a chance to punch back when it hosts the Stamps for a rematch at Princess Auto Stadium on Friday (7:30 p.m.). BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea said the disappointment from the loss to the Calgary Stampeders in Week 5 has turned into determination for the team to play better. BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea said the disappointment from the loss to the Calgary Stampeders in Week 5 has turned into determination for the team to play better. The 21-point defeat was the worst that Winnipeg had suffered with Zach Collaros as the starting quarterback since Week 3 of the 2023 season when it lost 30-6 at home against the B.C. Lions, and just the second time it has lost by more than 20 points since he was traded here in 2019. Making it worse, they've had to sit with that performance for two weeks. While the Bombers will have revenge on their mind, one thing is certain: it won't come easily. The Stampeders have made it known that they are, in fact, legit, rolling into Week 7 with a 4-1 record after another dominant performance against the Saskatchewan Roughriders last week. That leaves an opportunity for the 3-1 Bombers to make a statement of their own on Friday and remind the league that they will be in this fight for the long haul. 'I wasn't with them during the bye, but I imagine they were disappointed post-game, I imagine they flushed it as quickly as they could,' head coach Mike O'Shea said earlier this week. 'They were happy to be back, they put some work in — I think that disappointment has turned into the realization that they can play better, and they're determined to do that.' There is plenty of intrigue buzzing around these two West Division foes leading up to kickoff, so let's tee it up with the latest edition of 5 Storylines. It was trending this way all week, but it doesn't make the news any easier to swallow. The Bombers will be down two of their top offensive players in this one, as receiver Dalton Schoen (knee) and left tackle Stanley Bryant (ankle) have been moved to the six-game and one-game injured list, respectively. Schoen's injury is certainly more concerning at this point, given he missed the entire 2024 season with a torn ACL. He exited the Week 5 contest against Calgary after a routine play where he leaped for a catch and fell to the ground, but took his time getting up. There is no confirmation that this injury is as serious as last year's, however, and O'Shea said it's not season-ending. 'No. Like all those six games, we can pull them off whenever,' he said Thursday. As for Bryant, O'Shea is confident that the 39-year-old could return next week. 'It's challenging, for sure,' Collaros said. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive lineman Micah Vanterpool slides into the left tackle position, replacing an injured Stanley Bryant. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive lineman Micah Vanterpool slides into the left tackle position, replacing an injured Stanley Bryant. 'Stan is the most decorated offensive lineman in the history of our league, so having to fill in for him is not an easy task. Again, I think it's more so just on a communication level, not necessarily a skill set thing. And, although Stan is unbelievable, Micah (Vanterpool) has been in that room now for a year and a half, and has really gelled with those guys, and I think he'll do a great job. 'When a guy like Dalton goes down, for a quarterback and somebody you really depend on for a lot of what goes on in a game plan, it makes it difficult, for sure. But again, I just think it's harder on a human level, like, I can't really ever get over stuff like that. I just feel for guys when they have to miss a week of work, because… you put so much time in the off-season, you only have so many opportunities, and… there's just not a lot of opportunities in this game, so it's tough.' Replacing the trusted veterans is a pair of unheralded second-year talents in receiver Kody Case and lineman Vanterpool. Case, 26, will make his season debut. He dressed for three games last year as he operated as the Bombers' returner. Case returned this spring and put together an impressive training camp before going down with an ankle injury that forced him to miss both pre-season contests. The 5-10, 178-pound pass-catcher's greatest attribute is his speed, which he showcased a few times in practice this week. HEYWOOD YU / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Kody Case will make his season debut as he steps in for an injured Dalton Shoen. HEYWOOD YU / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Kody Case will make his season debut as he steps in for an injured Dalton Shoen. Meanwhile, Vanterpool, 26, has started two games at left guard this season and performed well in both cases. The 6-5, 325-pounder is as versatile as they come, capable of playing guard and tackle on both sides of the line, which makes his slide to left tackle unsurprising. 'I just do my process,' Vanterpool said. 'When I say my process, I work both sides. I work guard, tackle, right and left, ever since I've been in college. Every time I'm doing drills, I make sure I get some tackle reps, I get some guard reps, regardless of the week.' Gabe Wallace will plug in at left guard for Vanterpool. It's the third different offensive line combination the Bombers have run out this season. Rookie American defensive end Jay Person was also elevated to the active roster and is expected to make his CFL debut. The Stampeders won't use it as an excuse, but the club will be working at a slight disadvantage of not having a full week to rest and prepare for their rematch with the Bombers. Calgary's Week 6 contest against Saskatchewan was scheduled for Friday, July 11, but poor air quality in Regina — owing to smoke from wildfires in surrounding areas — delayed the matchup until Saturday. It might not sound like a big deal, but in a physical sport where collisions are akin to car crashes, every day of rest matters. Whether one less day of rest impacts the game remains to be seen, but it's noteworthy, nonetheless. The Bombers' record when coming off a bye week will continue to be a storyline until they show a reason it shouldn't be. The club is a gaudy 18-1 in its return from a week off since 2017, which is the best in the CFL by a wide margin. It was the second bye week this season for the Bombers, who already bested the B.C. Lions in their return from a Week 1 bye, so the team should be well-rested for this matchup. Hopefully, players enjoyed their most recent break, because now the Bombers will play 11 games in a row before they enjoy another bye week. The Bombers' defence has been the class of the CFL for years, finishing as the No. 1 scoring defence in each of the last four seasons. So far, that moniker belongs to Calgary. Entering Week 7, the club has allowed a league-best 91 points, and has not given up more than one offensive touchdown in a game thus far. In fact, the Stamps' defence has allowed just five drives that resulted in touchdowns through five games (68 possessions). That 7.4 per cent rate is the best of any club since the CFL began publishing this data in 2008. The Bombers have already felt the wrath of the league's No. 1 defence, as Collaros tossed two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns, and the club was held to its lowest point total of the young season in their last meeting. 'It seems like they're on the same page, they're flying around,' said O'Shea. 'I think they're an excitable group, like they're bringing a lot of energy, they're taking the ball away. Obviously, they took the ball away from us. I mean, when you see them put it all together, just as a 12-man unit, they seem to be getting after it pretty good.' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. X: @jfreysam Joshua Frey-SamReporter Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh. Every piece of reporting Josh produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Stamps itchin' to cowboy up
CALGARY — The Calgary Stampeders are fully embracing Thursday's inaugural Stampede Bowl. After wrapping up walk-through practice Wednesday morning at McMahon Stadium, each member of the red and white were handed cowboy hats to get into the spirit of things. 'How's it look?' asked Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. 'Never really worn one before. First Stampede Bowl, and I'm just excited to be part of it. We're all excited.' It's hard to believe, but it's the first time the Stampeders have been home on the eve of the Calgary Stampede. They're committed to running this new kickoff event for at least the next three years and if it's a success, they'll keep up with it moving forward. And then, there's their opponent this week: the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. There are no wide-brimmed western hats, belt buckles, or boots being worn on their side. For them, this is just another business trip, and they're treating it as such. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. 'Winning the game is where our mindset is,' said head coach Mike O'Shea. The Bombers (3-0) and Stampeders (2-1) will get to know each other very well over the next month or so as the schedule has them playing three out of the next five weeks. To get you ready for their first showdown, here's the latest edition of 5 Storylines. Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Brady Oliveira runs against the BC Lions in a game on June 12. The star running back has missed the last two games with a shoulder injury. (The Canadian Press) Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Brady Oliveira runs against the BC Lions in a game on June 12. The star running back has missed the last two games with a shoulder injury. (The Canadian Press) Star running back Brady Oliveira will make his return to the lineup after missing the last two games with a shoulder injury. 'This is like my debut to the season it feels like,' said Oliveira, who was injured on the opening drive of the first game, on Wednesday shortly after landing in Calgary. 'I'm ready to go and I'm excited.' The Bombers failed to rush for 100-plus yards in their previous two games so it's an ideal time to welcome back the reigning CFL Most Outstanding Player. 'He's the best tailback in the league. Obviously, he does it all for us,' said O'Shea. Oliveira practised all week and is ready to take on a full workload. He'll aim to have a better showing than his last time in Calgary when Stamps held him to 26 yards on 10 carries on June 29, 2024. With Oliveira drawing back in, rookie American running back Quinton Cooley has been moved to the practice roster and American guard Micah Vanterpool has been added to the active roster. Now that he fits under the ratio rules, Vanterpool will start at left guard over second-year Canadian Gabe Wallace to give the Bombers three imports on the O-line. Zach Collaros was brilliant in last week's 36-23 home victory against Edmonton, completing 25-of-30 passes for 334 yards, three passing TDs and one rushing score. He made the Elks pay with the deep ball, with receivers Nic Demski, Keric Wheatfall and Dalton Schoen all getting in on the action. Ethan Cairns / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Zach Collaros completed 25-of-30 passes for 334 yards, three passing TDs and one rushing score last week against Edmonton. Ethan Cairns / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Zach Collaros completed 25-of-30 passes for 334 yards, three passing TDs and one rushing score last week against Edmonton. It'll be a challenge for Collaros to have a repeat performance considering how Calgary has allowed one 20-plus yard passing play this season. They also have the best red zone defence in the nine-team league as their opponents have made it past the Calgary 20 five times and two of those drives resulted in touchdowns. This isn't the same Stampeders team that allowed 29.2 points per contest a year ago, which was the second-worst in the CFL. They made big additions in all three phases of the defence this winter by signing defensive end Folarin Orimolade, safety Damon Webb and linebacker Derrick Moncrief in free agency. This defence has also had former Bombers linebacker Adam Bighill in their ear all week sharing everything he can about his previous club. Bighill, who signed to Calgary's practice roster last week after six seasons in Winnipeg, is still recovering from a torn ACL and will not play Thursday. Collaros, who passed the legendary Ken Ploen last week to move to No. 4 on the Bombers' all-time passing yardage list, is 10-6 in his career against Calgary. 'I think Zach is one of the best,' said Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson on Thursday. 'I love watching him play — not necessarily against us. He's one of my favourite guys… I just really have a lot of respect for him.' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. The Stampeders can make a massive statement with a win Thursday. They enter the week with the No. 2-ranked defence (21.6 points per game allowed) and rushing attack (135 ground yards per game) but haven't had a chance to test their skills against a West Division foe until now. They beat up on Hamilton and Toronto the first two weeks before falling 20-12 at home in Week 3 against Ottawa and their backup QB Dustin Crum on an afternoon that was heavily influenced by rain and wind. They've had extra time to prepare for this one as they were off last week, but oddly enough, they are 2-6 after byes dating to 2022. They also haven't done a great job of protecting their turf against Winnipeg lately as the Bombers have won three of their past four trips to McMahon Stadium. Overall, the Bombers have prevailed in 10 of 13 previous dates with the Stamps. To pull off a victory, it'll be important for Calgary to have the lead heading into the fourth. Since 2019, the Blue and Gold are 49-4 when leading after three quarters. Jeff McIntosh / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., right, has helped Calgary to a 2-0 start this season. Jeff McIntosh / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., right, has helped Calgary to a 2-0 start this season. With the Jake Maier era being a huge flop, the Stampeders made a deal with the B.C. Lions shortly after the Grey Cup to acquire Adams Jr. While he helped Calgary start 2-0, his numbers so far are rather pedestrian as he's still searching for his first passing touchdown. He's completed 63 per cent of his passes for 803 yards and three interceptions. His stats are a tad bit misleading as he has led the team to six touchdown drives. He's also found success with his legs with 108 rushing yards and a score. The magic number for Thursday is 275 passing yards because when Adams hits that mark, his teams are 23-7. He owns a 4-3 record against the Bombers in his nine-year CFL career. Defensive end James Vaughters spent four seasons with the Stampeders and recorded 21 sacks in 57 games. Calgary decided to release the 32-year-old in January and the Bombers jumped at the chance of adding a veteran pass rusher to their D-line to complement Willie Jefferson. 'The Stampeders, as a club, gave me an opportunity when I needed it the most at one point in my career,' said Vaughters. 'More important than my emotions is the club I play for now and to be able to contribute the way I want to. For me, it's coming back to a place where I played a lot, but for our team, it's the next team we have to play. I think that's more important than anything.' Vaughters was brought to Winnipeg to take down opposing quarterbacks but is still searching for his first sack as a member of the Blue and Gold. He'll have a good chance to get it against his old pals as the Stamps have surrendered seven through three games. Taylor AllenReporter Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor. Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Bombers look to extend dominant streak against Elks
Life is good in Bomberland. The 2-0 Winnipeg Blue Bombers will try to stay perfect Thursday night at Princess Auto Stadium when they host the Edmonton Elks at 7:30 p.m. Last year, the Blue and Gold didn't get their second win until Week 6 after they stumbled out of the gate to 0-4. It's a different story this summer as they've hit the ground running with back-to-back wins over the B.C. Lions to put them on the right path in 2025. Then there's the Elks, who look like, well, the same old Elks after after opening the year with a 31-14 loss against the B.C. Lions followed by a 38-28 setback against the Montreal Alouettes to begin at 0-2. Edmonton should be ready for this one, though, as they played last Thursday and had a full week to prepare, while Winnipeg is fresh off of battling the Lions in Vancouver on Saturday. To get you ready for kickoff, here's the latest edition of 5 Storylines. Ethan Cairns / THE CANADIAN PRESS files Edmonton Elks quarterback Tre Ford has completed 70 per cent of his passes so far this season. Ethan Cairns / THE CANADIAN PRESS files Edmonton Elks quarterback Tre Ford has completed 70 per cent of his passes so far this season. The Bombers have won 12 in a row against Edmonton — their longest win streak against any opponent — and are 15-2 against them since 2017. You'd have to go all the way back to Week 1 in 2018 to find the last time the Green and Gold left Chancellor Matheson Road with a win. Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros has Edmonton's number as he's prevailed in his last 11 meetings over them. He also had a career day against the Elks when he tossed a career high six touchdowns last year at home on Sept. 27. Elks pivot Tre Ford is 0-3 against Winnipeg, but came close to slaying the giant on Aug. 10, 2023, when he helped his team to a 22-0 lead at home before then Bombers backup QB Dru Brown came in for an injured Collaros and threw four touchdowns en route to an improbable 38-29 victory. Edmonton is hoping things will be different now with first-year head coach Mark Kilam in charge. 'I don't think that it's they've given us trouble, they've given everybody trouble,' Tre Ford said Wednesday shortly after landing in Winnipeg. 'They've been really good the last five years and going into Winnipeg in their own house is tough. It's a tough task for any team, but we're looking forward to it this week… We definitely haven't been doing great in the past, but we have new coaches and we're a new team.' There will be a familiar face on the Edmonton sideline with defensive back Tyrell Ford making his return to Winnipeg after signing with the Elks in free agency. Tyrell Ford established himself as one of the top Canadians in the game last year with the Blue and Gold when he finished second in the league with seven interceptions. It was a major loss, but the Bombers and their secondary have looked just fine without him. Second-year American Marquise Bridges has taken over at corner and hauled in two interceptions in Week 2. Then there's Jamal Parker, who was asked to shift over to safety to replace veteran Brandon Alexander, who is fresh off his best game as a pro in Saturday's 27-14 win at B.C. He knocked down a pass at the goal-line and pounced on a dropped lateral to take it back 57 yards to the house. The Bombers head into Week 4 as the No. 1 defence as they're allowing just 17 points per game so far. They're hoping they can make life difficult for Tre Ford who's completed 71 per cent of his passes for 486 yards, two touchdowns, and two picks after two games. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. The Bombers have been getting it done on defence, but where are the sacks from their defensive ends? Willie Jefferson and James Vaughters have yet to take down a quarterback, and this week, it won't be easy with Tre Ford being the CFL's most athletic passer. Jefferson will also try to be on his best behaviour after he was tossed out of the game in Vancouver. He received a misconduct penalty for taunting the B.C. bench and got another one — which leads to an automatic ejection — for getting into a physical and verbal match with Lions offensive lineman Kory Woodruff late in the game. Jefferson got heck for it when he got home from his wife and kids, and the six-time CFL all-star assured reporters earlier this week it won't happen again. He'll have to work his way off the naughty list as he was already fined for an illegal block in the first date with the Lions. Vaughters, who registered 21 career sacks in four seasons with the Calgary Stampeders, has two tackles this year. John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Chris Streveler (left) hands off to Brady Oliveira in the first half against the BC Lions on June 12. John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Chris Streveler (left) hands off to Brady Oliveira in the first half against the BC Lions on June 12. Star running back Brady Oliveira will miss a second consecutive game with a shoulder injury. His replacement, second-year Canadian Matthew Peterson, exploded for 130 yards and a touchdown in the opener but was held to 42 yards on 11 carries last weekend. Rookie American tailback Quinton Cooley looked far more effective with 43 yards on seven touches and could be in line for a bigger workload. With Cooley in the lineup, Canadian guard Gabe Wallace will once again replace American Micah Vanterpool at left guard to make the ratio work. Oliveira might not be the only Winnipegger out of action as receiver Nic Demski is currently listed as a game-time decision. An ankle injury prevented Demski from practising this week, but he said Wednesday his chances of playing are high. Ethan Cairns / THE CANADIAN PRESS Blue Bombers receiver Keric Wheatfall (right) has been the team's most productive reciever through two games. Ethan Cairns / THE CANADIAN PRESS Blue Bombers receiver Keric Wheatfall (right) has been the team's most productive reciever through two games. If there was a most improved player award, Bombers receiver Keric Wheatfall would be a front-runner. He's been Winnipeg's most productive pass catcher through two games with 11 catches for 213 yards and a touchdown. In seven games last year as a rookie, Wheatfall had 13 grabs for 273 yards and one score. With Kenny Lawler taking his talents to Hamilton, the Bombers needed Wheatfall to take a step up and so far, he's delivered. Dalton Schoen has had a bit of a quieter start as he's yet to eclipse 50 yards in a game. His last two times squaring off against Edmonton, which were in 2023 as he missed most of 2024 with a knee injury, Schoen was held to a combined five catches for 87 yards. Schoen is due for a big outing, and the Elks are currently giving up 327.5 passing yards per game which is the second most in the nine-team circuit. Taylor AllenReporter Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor. Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
