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Winnipeg Free Press
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Plenty of blame to go around
CALGARY — This space is reserved to break down Winnipeg Blue Bombers games with 5 Takeaways, but their performance Thursday night in Calgary can be summed up with just one. They sucked. Offence, defence, special teams, you name it, the Bombers didn't have it. They were steamrolled 37-16 by the Calgary Stampeders in what was the first-ever Stampede Bowl — a new marketing event designed to kick off the Calgary Stampede and get more butts in the seats at McMahon Stadium. Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea put it poetically post-game. 'We got our asses beat. I mean, it's pretty straightforward,' he said. The Blue and Gold (3-1) can lick their wounds on their bye next week before hosting the Stamps (3-1) in a rematch on July 18. 'I won't be enjoying my bye week that much,' Bombers dime back Redha Kramdi told the Free Press. 'I'll be thinking about (this game), watching it, trying to learn from it, and be prepared to attack the week after that.' As much as Bomberland would love to forget this one, we're gonna revisit it anyway with the latest edition of 5 Takeaways. COLLAROS CRUMBLES IN COWTOWN Welcome to life as a professional quarterback where one week you're the hero, and the next, you're the main reason why your club lost. The glaring issue was the two pick-sixes. You're not going to win any game where you throw more touchdowns to the opposing team than your own. JEFF MCINTOSH / THE CANADIAN PRESS Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros (right) threw two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns in Thursday night's blowout loss the the Stampeders. JEFF MCINTOSH / THE CANADIAN PRESS Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros (right) threw two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns in Thursday night's blowout loss the the Stampeders. He was also bad outside of that, with his next biggest error coming on the second last play of the first half when he had a wide-open Keric Wheatfall in the end zone and sailed the ball over his head. A touchdown there would've cut Calgary's lead to 29-13 after two quarters and sent the Bombers into the break with at least some momentum. Instead, they settled for a field goal and failed to make a game out of it in the last 30 minutes. Despite throwing the pigskin 20 more times than Stamps passer Vernon Adams Jr., Collaros only finished with 66 more yards in the air to give him 288 on the evening while completing 34-of-48 attempts. Collaros threw a meaningless touchdown with 2:33 left, on what was a highlight-reel grab by first-year Bomber Jerreth Sterns, but it was too little too late. He needs to be better. Simple as that. SCHOEN LEAVES WITH INJURY Uh oh. Not again. With the Bombers trailing 37-9 with less than 10 minutes left, Collaros fired a high pass to star receiver Dalton Schoen who jumped up but failed to haul it in. Immediately after, Schoen felt something was off as he laid down on the field holding his leg before walking off and staying on the sideline for the rest of the night. Last year the two-time CFL all-star tore his ACL and only played three games. After the final whistle, the Free Press asked Schoen for an injury update in the locker room. 'Yeah, not sure on anything right now. Obviously, not great when you have to leave a game, but I'm not sure of the severity,' he said. This is a team that no longer has the luxury of owning two of the very best pass catchers in the game as Kenny Lawler is now in Hamilton. Losing Schoen would be a massive blow to a receiver room that isn't bursting with depth. If Schoen ends up missing time, you can expect to see Dillon Mitchell — who set career highs last year in Edmonton with 58 receptions for 727 yards and four touchdowns — get called up from the practice squad. Mitchell was the Bombers' prize free-agent signing this winter but didn't make the game-day roster after a disastrous training camp and preseason. He's a talented player, but if he still has the yips, Winnipeg could be in trouble. One positive at the position was the emergence of second-year Canadian Kevens Clercius who had a career-high in catches (10) and yards (78). His previous best came against Edmonton last week when he had three grabs for 53 yards. OLIVEIRA RUNS EARLY BUT NOT OFTEN It looked like Brady Oliveira was poised to have a monstrous stat line after a dominant first drive. So much for that. He had six carries on that possession for 36 yards against a Calgary defence that had been allowing enemy tailbacks to average six yards per carry. Unfortunately for Oliveira, who was making his return after being sidelined for two games with a shoulder injury, he only saw seven more handoffs after that as the Bombers found themselves in a 29-9 hole thanks to a brutal first half. The good news for the Bombers is when Oliveira was involved, he looked like a reigning Most Outstanding Player who hadn't missed a beat. If he wants to reach the heights he attained in 2024, he's going to need to have some huge games as his start — 110 yards in five quarters of play — has him on pace to finish the season with under 1,000 yards rushing. FORGETTABLE D-FENCE Defensive end James Vaughters hasn't made much of an impact in his first four games as a Blue Bomber. The former Stampeder had a lacklustre return to Calgary as all he could manage was two defensive tackles. The 32-year-old former NFLer — who once sacked Tom Brady — is still searching for his first sack in 2025. Defensive co-ordinator Jordan Younger's entire unit deserves a failing grade, though. The secondary looked lost at times, the defence took several uncharacteristic penalties, and no one — not just Vaughters — was able to take Adams to the ground. Calgary running back Dedrick Mills also made them pay by gaining 93 rushing yards and a touchdown. The group — which entered the week as the CFL's No. 1-ranked defence — was better in the second half, but at that point, the damage was already done. 'I'm gonna be honest, we played like the worst (defence),' said Kramdi. STAMPS ARE BACK Are the Stampeders for real? It certainly looks like it. They won 11 games in the past two years, but this isn't the same old Stamps as they revamped their defence in the offseason with 12 new starters and, most importantly, brought in Adams at quarterback after Jake Maier failed as Bo Levi Mitchell's heir apparent. Through four contests, they're holding opponents to 20 points per game and scoring 29 points on average. Adams had underwhelming numbers entering Thursday — zero touchdowns and three interceptions — but marched all over the Bombers in the opening half, most notably with a 43-yard touchdown pass to Clark Barnes on the first possession and then finding Jalen Philpot on a 66-yard catch and run at the start of the second quarter. Adams — who finished with 222 passing yards and two touchdowns — only tossed the ball 18 times as burning the clock out became their main objective at the end. It's not the first time Adams has punched the Bombers in the face early in a season as back on June 22, 2023, the veteran pivot led the B.C. Lions to an impressive 30-6 victory over the Bombers on Chancellor Matheson Road. The Stamps could cement themselves as legit contenders if they walk into Regina next week to play the 4-0 Saskatchewan Roughriders and hand another undefeated team their first loss of the year. 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.
CBC
a day ago
- Sport
- CBC
Winnipeg Blue Bombers get 1st loss of season after falling 37-16 to Calgary Stampeders
Social Sharing Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. and the Stampeders had a sense of occasion in Calgary's first "Stampede Bowl" with a 37-16 win over the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday. The hosts were dominant in the first CFL game named in honour of the Calgary Stampede that starts Friday and has been a city fixture for over a century. After three straight games without a touchdown pass for the first time in his career, Adams threw his first two as a Stampeder while Damon Webb and Derrick Moncrief returned interceptions for a pair of touchdowns. "It was a great team win, complementary football, defence two pick sixes. Finally got a passing touchdown, so that felt good as well," said Adams. There were cowboy hats all around as the Stampeders hoisted a bespoke trophy designed for the game attended by an announced 22,485 at McMahon Stadium. "Certain games bring a little extra emotion. Tonight the whole stadium had emotion," Stampeders head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson said. "We had some spark. I knew our guys were ready to play." Clark Barnes and Damien Alford caught Adams' touchdown passes and Dedrick Mills scored a rushing touchdown for Calgary (3-1). Rene Paredes contributed five kicking points and punter Mark Vassett a punt single for the hosts, who handed the Blue Bombers (3-1) their first loss of the season. Winnipeg's Jerreth Sterns caught a touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter and kicker Sergio Castillo was good from 19, 21 and 29 yards. Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira, the CFL's Most Outstanding Player in 2024, totalled 61 yards on 13 carries after sitting out two games with a shoulder injury. Thursday's game was a matchup of the CFL's two stingiest defences, but the Stampeders raced to a 29-6 lead by halftime, while Winnipeg's offence was hampered by miscues, interceptions and a smothering Calgary secondary. "We got our asses beat," Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea said. "They came out and put it on us pretty good." 'Not a winning recipe': Collaros Adams, acquired in a trade from the B.C. Lions last November, also completed 13 of 18 pass attempts for 222 yards and went interception-free. His Winnipeg counterpart Zach Collaros went 34-for-48 in passing for 288 yards and one touchdown, but was intercepted twice for Calgary touchdowns. "I can speak for the offence and myself, when you turn over the football, especially when it goes for touchdowns the other way, that's not a winning recipe," Collaros said. Collaros and his favourite downfield target Dalton Schoen connected on just four of 10 attempts. Moncrief picked off Collaros for a 70-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. "I watched film all week. No sleep this week," Moncrief said. "Last night, I was watching film a long time and just trusting myself and trusting my preparation." Webb nabbed a Collaros throw intended for Nic Demski and ran back a 30-yard touchdown to give Calgary a 15-3 lead heading into the second quarter. "We called it early this week man, me and Webb, we said we had to make some big plays for our defence and that's what we did, but we credit our defensive line for putting the pressure on them too," Moncrief said. After Jalen Philpot's 68-yard catch and run put the Stampeders on Winnipeg's doorstep with two and a half minutes left in the first half, Mills punched the ball into the end zone. Collaros pushed the Blue Bombers downfield with the clock ticking down but Winnipeg settled for a Castillo field goal and a 23-point deficit at halftime. Adams threw his first touchdown pass as a Stampeder on Calgary's opening drive when he aired the ball out to Barnes for a 43-yard major. His second was an 11-yard yard catch and run by Alford for the latter's first CFL touchdown. The Stampeders visit the Saskatchewan Roughriders on July 11. The Blue Bombers have a bye week before a rematch with Calgary at home July 18.
Ottawa Citizen
a day ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Five takeaways as Stampeders dominate Blue Bombers, capture inaugural Stampede Bowl
The Calgary Stampeders cowboy'd up for the inaugural Stampede Bowl. Article content A dominant 37-16 victory over the mighty Winnipeg Blue Bombers is proof of that, as the home side got into the spirit of 'The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth' early with the Thursday decision at McMahon Stadium. Article content Four first-half touchdowns spurred on the Stampeders to the triumph, much to the delight of a strong showing of 22,485 fans in the stands. Article content Article content It was quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. throwing his first TD of the season 43 yards to Clark Barnes on a brilliant long-march opening drive, and the Stamps never looked back from there. Article content Article content After one of two pick-sixes by the Stamps' defence, the QB followed with another TD strike to rookie receiver Damien Alford in the second quarter. Article content The precision and performance by Adams, especially early, helped him finish with 13-of-18 for 222 passing yards. Article content Before halftime came another lengthy drive for the Stamps, punctuated by a two-yard TD bulldoze by running back Dedrick Mills. Article content The second interception return for a score by the defence insured the win in the fourth quarter. Article content And with that, just hours ahead of Friday morning's much-ballyhooed Stampede Parade, the Stamps held their own mini-parade and celebration post-game with the newly minted Stampede Bowl. Article content Article content Article content Ask any fan who's been to McMahon the last few seasons and they will tell you the football just wasn't all that fun. Article content That's changed in a hurry early in 2025. Article content The Stampeders have fielded a product that's got to have supporters not only smiling but believing they might actually have a winner again so soon after a few ugly CFL campaigns. Article content Even if long-term success on the season isn't in the cards for the Red and White, you can't say it hasn't started out with a bang. Article content It's been fun, with this triumph over the Blue Bombers proof they've got something brewing. Especially since it was such a dominant night by the home side at McMahon. Article content The Stamps put together long scoring marches, with a couple of highlight plays offensively — Jalen Philpot's 66-yard catch and run to set up a second-quarter score was the brightest. And two pretty pick-sixes by the defence definitely got the fans on their feet.
Calgary Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Five takeaways as Stampeders dominate Blue Bombers, capture inaugural Stampede Bowl
The Calgary Stampeders cowboy'd up for the inaugural Stampede Bowl. Article content A dominant 37-16 victory over the mighty Winnipeg Blue Bombers is proof of that, as the home side got into the spirit of 'The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth' early with the Thursday decision at McMahon Stadium. Article content Four first-half touchdowns spurred on the Stampeders to the triumph, much to the delight of a strong showing of 22,485 fans in the stands. Article content Article content It was quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. throwing his first TD of the season 43 yards to Clark Barnes on a brilliant long-march opening drive, and the Stamps never looked back from there. Article content Article content After one of two pick-sixes by the Stamps' defence, the QB followed with another TD strike to rookie receiver Damien Alford in the second quarter. Article content The precision and performance by Adams, especially early, helped him finish with 13-of-18 for 222 passing yards. Article content Before halftime came another lengthy drive for the Stamps, punctuated by a two-yard TD bulldoze by running back Dedrick Mills. Article content The second interception return for a score by the defence insured the win in the fourth quarter. Article content And with that, just hours ahead of Friday morning's much-ballyhooed Stampede Parade, the Stamps held their own mini-parade and celebration post-game with the newly minted Stampede Bowl. Article content Article content Article content Ask any fan who's been to McMahon the last few seasons and they will tell you the football just wasn't all that fun. Article content That's changed in a hurry early in 2025. Article content The Stampeders have fielded a product that's got to have supporters not only smiling but believing they might actually have a winner again so soon after a few ugly CFL campaigns. Article content Even if long-term success on the season isn't in the cards for the Red and White, you can't say it hasn't started out with a bang. Article content It's been fun, with this triumph over the Blue Bombers proof they've got something brewing. Especially since it was such a dominant night by the home side at McMahon. Article content The Stamps put together long scoring marches, with a couple of highlight plays offensively — Jalen Philpot's 66-yard catch and run to set up a second-quarter score was the brightest. And two pretty pick-sixes by the defence definitely got the fans on their feet.
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Stampeders hand Blue Bombers first loss of the season with 37-16 victory
CALGARY - Vernon Adams Jr. threw his first two touchdown passes as a Stampeder in Calgary's 37-16 win over the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL on Thursday. Clark Barnes and Damien Alford caught his touchdown passes, Dedrick Mills scored a rushing touchdown and Damon Webb and Derrick Moncrief returned interceptions to score for the Stampeders (3-1) in front of an announced 22,485 at McMahon Stadium. Rene Paredes contributed five kicking points and punter Mark Vassett a punt single for the hosts, who handed the Blue Bombers (3-1) their first loss of the season. Winnipeg's Jerreth Sterns caught a touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter and kicker Sergio Castillo was good from 19, 21 and 29 yards. Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira, the CFL's Most Outstanding Player in 2024, totalled 61 yards on 13 carries after sitting out two games with a shoulder injury. Thursday's 'Stampede Bowl,' named in honour of the Calgary Stampede starting Friday, was a matchup of the two stingiest defences in the CFL. The Stampeders raced to a 29-6 lead by halftime, while Winnipeg's offence was hampered by miscues, interceptions and a smothering Calgary secondary. After three straight games without a touchdown pass for the first time in his career, Calgary's quarterback Adams threw two in the first half. Adams, acquired in a trade from the B.C. Lions last November, also completed 13 of 18 pass attempts for 22 yards and went interception-free. His Winnipeg counterpart Zach Collaros went 34-for-48 in passing for 288 yards and one touchdown, but was intercepted twice for Calgary touchdowns. Collaros and his favourite downfield target Dalton Schoen connected on just four of 10 attempts. Moncrief picked off Collaros for a 70-yard pick six early in the fourth quarter. Winnipeg mustered its first touchdown of the game with two and a half minutes to play when Sterns fought off Webb to grab a four-yard Collaros throw to the end zone. Jalen Philpot's 68-yard catch and run put the Stampeders on Winnipeg's doorstep with two and a half minutes left in the first half. Mills punched the ball into the end zone for Calgary's fourth major of the game. Collaros pushed the Blue Bombers downfield with the clock ticking down but Winnipeg settled for a Castillo field goal and a 23-point deficit at halftime. The hosts led 22-3 midway through the second quarter when Adams connected with Alford on an 11-yard catch and run for the latter's first CFL touchdown. Adams threw his first touchdown pass as a Stampeder on Calgary's opening drive when he aired the ball out to Barnes for a 43-yard major. After kicking the convert, Paredes put an 85-yard kickoff out the back of the end zone for another point and an 8-0 Calgary lead. Winnipeg's first drive ended in a 19-yard field goal by Castillo. Webb picked off a Collaros throw intended for Nic Demski and ran back a 30-yard touchdown for Calgary's 15-3 lead heading into the second quarter. UP NEXT The Stampeders visit the Saskatchewan Roughriders on July 11. The Blue Bombers have a bye week before a rematch with Calgary at home July 18. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 3, 2025.
