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Winnipeg Free Press
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Rocky start for Bombers' bruising tailback
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers' leading rusher seven weeks into the regular season is Matthew Peterson. That's a feather in the cap of the Alberta-born rookie running back, who has impressed when called upon this season, and a promising sign for the depth that exists in the team's backfield, but it's far from what anyone had expected on a roster that includes the Canadian Football League's reigning Most Outstanding Player Brady Oliveira. It's been a rocky start for the Bombers' bruising tailback, and almost all of it has been out of his control. John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS The Calgary Stampeders held reigning CFL MOP and Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira (left) to just 15 carries for 68 yards in Friday's tilt. Oliveira injured his shoulder on the third offensive play of the season, which knocked him out for the rest of the game and two weeks after that. Winnipeg managed without their bellwether, leaning on Peterson while cruising to a three-game win streak out of the gates. Since Oliveira's return, however, the Bombers' offence has had back-to-back disappointing outings in which the team has fallen into large deficits and been forced to throw. 'It's almost reminding me of last season, kind of how it started — starting slow,' said Oliveira, who has 178 rushing yards on 30 carries and hasn't found the end zone this season. Peterson has 48 rushes for 245 yards and one touchdown. 'Obviously, that injury… even if I'm not 100 per cent, I'm gonna try to beat the odds, whatever the timelines are, and try and get back out on the field as quick as possible,' Oliveira added. 'I think I've done that with that injury, and I think now I'm just trying to feel like myself, and I think every single week I'm starting to feel like myself.' It's a modest explanation from the 27-year-old, who has been efficient when the ball is in his hands. Currently, Oliveira is tying a career-high 5.9 yards per carry and has been reliable in the receiving game, catching 11 passes for 91 yards. However, catching a bunch of passes isn't how the Bombers prefer to incorporate him into the game plan. Throwing the ball 40 to 50 times per game is something the team is happy to do if that's what it takes to win, but they would rather stick the ball into Olivera's gut and let him churn out yards behind the offensive line. 'These last two weeks, none of us were expecting that outcome. So I think for me… I just want to win games,' said Oliveira, who is on pace for 180 carries and 1,068 rushing yards — both lows since 2022, his first season as a full-fledged starter. 'Whether it's us getting the ball 12 times a game, or 20 touches, or 25 touches, whatever it's going to take in any given week to win the game, because I know every single week is going to look differently,' he added. 'It's going to be challenging to be able to lean on the offensive line and run the ball when you need to score points. It's a long season. You're going to see plenty of games this year where the offensive line and myself are going to take a lot of games over this year and help this team win a lot of football games.' The Bombers (3-2) are in Toronto to face the Argonauts (1-5) at BMO Field on Saturday (6 p.m. CT). It's a matchup that perhaps has Oliveira licking his chops, as the Argos are allowing the third-most rushing yards per game to opponents this season (118). 'I think when you're trailing, you've got to throw the ball a little bit more. No frustration there,' offensive co-ordinator Jason Hogan said about whether the last two games have frustrated him and how he's used Oliveira. 'I mean, I love Brady to death. I love him like a brother. But at the end of the day, it's what's going to help this football team win, whether that's one carry for a yard or 100 yards. 'I'd like to see him have success, but I also think the injury, getting his legs back into it, I think we saw a difference from the previous game against Calgary. So, it's baby steps, one week at a time.' The Bombers have eclipsed 400 yards of net offence in each of the last two contests, but it's been the turnovers that have crippled this team. Zach Collaros and Chris Streveler have thrown six interceptions combined — two returned for touchdowns — which has put the team in deep holes. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Files Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive co-ordinator Jason Hogan said he has been forced to rely less on the running game because the Blue and Gold have found themselves trailing against the Calgary Stampeders. It's been a series of untimely mistakes that have this offence stuck in first gear. 'I think (the offence is) where we want it to be; we just got to find a way to execute and finish,' Hogan said. 'You look at statistically the last two games, we got 400 offensive yards, we just got to end in the end zone with points.' Oliveira said the onus is on the players to start faster. It's going to be critical on the road this weekend. 'I think, at the end of the day, we as players need to go out there and execute to make it maybe a little bit easier on his plate as a play caller,' he said. 'It's going to take all of us to win games.' Injury update Head coach Mike O'Shea maintained that he's reserving hope left tackle Stanley Bryant (ankle) will suit up this weekend, despite not logging a practice, so far, this week. 'I saw him moving around pretty damn good,' O'Shea said. 'We'll see, though. You know Stan doesn't need to practise, though? A lot of the vets do not need to practice.' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Bryant hasn't practised since being injured in the Bombers' Week 5 contest in Calgary. Should that continue into Saturday's game in Toronto, it would mark more than two weeks since he was last on the field. 'A lot of guys have played really well for a very long time (without practising),' O'Shea added. 'I don't think he needs any tune-up in terms of scheme or anything like that. And, once again, unless he's cleared to play, he wouldn't be playing.' Also not practising are running back Peyton Logan (thigh) and long-snapper Mike Benson (hip). Logan was injured early in training camp and has yet to suit up for a game, while Benson was injured in the club's season opener. 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.
Calgary Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Looking at the Calgary Stampeders special start to the season
Article content Those pundits who foreshadowed doom and gloom over the first third of the 2025 Calgary Stampeders schedule are likely scratching their tall foreheads these days … Article content With good reason. Article content It wasn't supposed to play out this well for the Stampeders after two lousy ones amounting to just 11 wins in 36 games. Even the most optimistic fan of the Red and White couldn't have predicted such a sensational start to the year. Article content Article content Especially given what the early-season calendar looked like for a team in massive transition. Article content Article content Thinking back on what has been a 5-1 start to the Canadian Football League campaign under the circumstances, it truly has been phenomenal. Article content But don't tell that to the Stampeders, who remain tunnel-visioned in a commitment to steer clear from over-confidence. Article content 'No reason for us (to get over-confident),' said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson. 'You'll get humbled quickly. The key is just don't read too much into when it's bad or when it's good. Article content 'You just try to understand why you're winning, what's helping you succeed and just try to put the foot on the gas just a little bit more each and every week. Article content 'I think our guys can do that.' Article content They'll run with that gameplan again this Thursday, when the 4-2 Montreal Alouettes — the Stamps' fourth straight foe with a winning record — visit McMahon Stadium (7 p.m., TSN, CHQR 770 AM/107.3 FM the Edge), knowing full well they can't rest on their laurels. Article content Article content 'We don't look too far forward, and unfortunately, you really only look back when you're done,' added Dickenson. 'I just think we've got to get better. I think our energy has been good — we've shown up to play every week. We have continually gotten better. Article content 'So that's something that as a team we've got to continue to do.' Article content Article content Let's look back at that, recognizing the adversity they've overcome. Article content • The Week 1 game brought the return of Stampeders legend Bo Levi Mitchell looking to avenge last year's first loss in another uniform at McMahon, with the Red and White themselves fresh off a significant overhaul of the roster in the off-season. Article content A surprisingly convincing win. Article content • The Week 2 affair took them away for their first road contest of the season — another tough first for a still-finding-itself crew — against the defending Grey Cup-champion Toronto Argonauts.
Edmonton Journal
3 days ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Hamilton to hold rally for NBA MVP and champion Gilgeous-Alexander
Canada's king of the court has won just about everything possible this year, but is about to receive another honour. Article content Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was born in Toronto but claims Hamilton as his home, will be recognized on Thursday Aug. 7 at 'Shai Rally Day' in Hamilton. Article content Gilgeous-Alexander was named NBA MVP after finishing second last season (Steve Nash was the only Canadian to previously win the award), and helped Oklahoma City win its first NBA title last month after a stirring playoff run. He was also named NBA Finals MVP and led the league in scoring in the regular season. Article content Later he'll make an appearance at the Canadian Football League game between the Tiger-Cats and B.C. Lions. Article content 'I'm absolutely thrilled to bring Shai Rally Day to Hamilton,' Horwath said in a release. 'This is our city's official celebration of NBA Champion, NBA MVP, NBA Finals MVP, NBA Scoring Champion, ESPY Best Athlete — Men's Sports, and proud Hamiltonian, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.' Article content
Montreal Gazette
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Montreal Gazette
Former Alouettes rush-end Shawn Lemon reinstated by CFL
The Canadian Football League reinstated former Montreal Alouettes defensive-lineman Shawn Lemon with specific conditions on Wednesday. The CFL said any future violations of the league's match manipulation policy will result in a lifetime ban and that the free agent is eligible to sign with any team. Lemon, a veteran rush-end, was initially suspended on April 24, 2024, for wagering on CFL games in 2021, including one in which he played, while a member of the Calgary Stampeders. But he appealed the suspension through the CFL Players' Association, allowing him to return to Alouettes training camp practices and the team's first four regular-season games last season before an independent arbitrator upheld the ban on July 4. The 6-foot-2, 242-pounder has 102 career sacks in 154 career regular-season games. 'Protecting the integrity of the play on the field is of the utmost importance and we will not tolerate players violating the CFL's Match Manipulation Policy. Mr. Lemon's suspension, which was the longest in league history, was necessary and appropriate,' CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston said in a release Wednesday. 'He has taken full responsibility for his actions. He understands how wagering negatively impacts sports and has re-educated himself on league policy. He is now committed to helping other players learn from his mistake.' The CFL also said if Lemon is signed by a club, he must serve a two-game suspension for violating the league's joint drug policy, because of a positive test for the banned substance phentermine. Lemon will also be required to complete all mandatory league education, including the match manipulation policy, and he must continue to participate in the counselling sessions he has been attending.
Ottawa Citizen
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Surging Calgary Stampeders brace for tough rematch challenge from Blue Bombers in Winnipeg
Article content The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a load at home on any given football day. Article content Their ridiculously successful record on their own field the last four-plus Canadian Football League campaigns is proof of that. Article content But throw in a pinch of motivation — such as the vengeance they're likely to have on their minds over being dominated two weeks ago at McMahon Stadium — and the Blue Bombers are potentially fuelled to bring even more bite than usual to play the visiting Calgary Stampeders. Article content Article content 'Yeah … I call it a challenge,' said GM/head coach Dave Dickenson, with a chuckle, looking ahead to the rematch between his Stampeders (4-1) and the Blue Bombers (3-1) on Friday at Winnipeg's Princess Auto Stadium (6:30 p.m., TSN, CHQR 770 AM/107.3 FM the Edge). Article content Article content 'It's a super big challenge.' Article content How big? Article content Included is a 2-0 mark so far this season, after 34-20 and 36-23 victories over the BC Lions and Edmonton Elks, respectively. Article content 'I mean … we understand what they're about,' continued Dickenson. 'But we're going to focus on ourselves. Just make sure we show up, play a solid game where we don't make mental errors and play with poise and understand taking care of the football is priority one. Article content 'If we do those type of things, we kind of let the result take care of itself.' Article content Article content That was the case when the Stamps surprised the Bombers two weeks back in the Stampede Bowl. Article content The Red and White got out of the gate fast and did nearly everything right in riding to a 37-16 stampede of the five-time division kings. Article content 'Of course we don't expect them to like us (after that game),' said Stamps quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. 'But that's another great opponent coming up for us— you know … five-time West (Division) champions. Article content 'And they're at home — sold-out crowd — and they're coming off a bye, so they're going to be fresh and ready to go. So we've got to bring our 'A' game.'
