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Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Five Takeaways: Back-to-back beat downs a rarity for Bombers
The last time the Winnipeg Blue Bombers lost consecutive games by 20-plus points, Brady Oliveria was still in high school, Zach Collaros was a third-year pro and Mike O'Shea was a rookie head coach. Oct. 3 and 13, 2014: a 42-20 rout by the Ottawa Redblacks, followed by an embarrassing 41-9 defeat at the hands of the Edmonton Elks. Those results came during some dark days that are fortunately long behind the Blue and Gold, but the club's recent stretch of performances has left reason to revisit those times. JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Brady Oliveira (20) makes the first down against the Calgary Stampeders during first half CFL action in Winnipeg Friday, July 18, 2025. Friday's 41-20 loss to the Calgary Stampeders at Princess Auto Stadium marked the second straight lopsided decision that the Bombers have been on the wrong side of — both against the Stampeders. The first, which came on the road, was a wake-up call for a team that had cruised to a 3-0 record out of the gates. The second has put a spotlight on some of the team's weak points that it had been able to mask in the first month of the season. Of course, there's no hiding an absent starting quarterback, which is what the Bombers could be faced with as Collaros exited the contest in the second quarter after the back of his head smacked the turf following a big hit. Collaros' health will be top priority, but in the meantime, the Bombers are reeling at 3-2 and need to recapture some of their earlier magic. Friday's loss was particularly meaningful in the standings, as Calgary wrapped up the season series with Winnipeg and now owns the regular-season tie-breaker. With both teams expected to be in the thick of the West Division playoff race, this could loom large when it comes to home-field advantage in the postseason. With consecutive matchups against the Stamps now in the rear-view mirror, the Bombers now turn their attention to a home-and-home with the Toronto Argonauts, which begins on the road at BMO Field on Saturday, July 26. Before we turn the page to Week 8, let's revisit the latest contest with a new edition of Five Takeaways. Calgary had already proved they would be a contender in the West, but their latest win has established some clear tier breaks in the division. The Stamps are the class of the West by themselves currently, with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Bombers grouped in a tier behind them. The last three weeks have seen the Stamps own the Bombers at home, then follow with consecutive dominant road performances against both prairie squads. They also own the best record in the CFL, and an argument can be made that they are the best team in the league right now, with Montreal (4-2) dealing with an injured starting quarterback and Hamilton (3-2) fielding a vulnerable defence. This is another good time to remind readers that many pundits pencilled Calgary in as the bottom-dwellers of the West Division. JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros (8) throws as he gets pressure from the Calgary Stampeders during first half CFL action in Winnipeg Friday, July 18, 2025. At the time of writing, they are the league's No. 1 scoring offence and defence, and do not appear to be slowing down anytime soon. Who knows how long the Bombers will be without Collaros? If it's a concussion — O'Shea would not confirm the nature of his QB's injury after the game — he must complete a five-stage protocol to return to play, which does not have a defined length and can vary by severity and the individual. That means backup Chris Streveler could be looking at his second start of the season. The Bombers have already seen the good and the bad of the fan favourite this season. In Week 2, Streveler had what was perhaps the best performance of his career against the B.C. Lions, tossing for three touchdowns and leading the club to a convincing victory. On Friday, it was very much the opposite, as he threw two interceptions — one of which was returned for a touchdown — and the game quickly slipped away from the Bombers. Granted, those performances came in two different situations. Streveler had all of training camp to prepare for his first start, whereas he was thrust into the most recent game. If he needs to go again, perhaps a week of preparation will help his second start look more like his first. The O'Shea-led Bombers are consistently one of the least penalized teams in the three-down loop and have continued to be this season, committing 5.8 infractions per game, the second-fewest entering Week 7. On this night, it wasn't the number of times they were penalized — seven times for 83 yards — but rather the nature and the timeliness of them that made for an uncharacteristically undisciplined performance. The Stampeders' opening drive was made easier by a roughing the passer penalty on Cam Lawson that set them up on the doorstep of the end zone. That was the first of two late hits on Vernon Adams Jr. in the first half, as James Vaughters committed the other. Another flag for unnecessary roughness was thrown on Tanner Cadwallader in the second quarter, but that one only wound up costing Winnipeg field position. JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS Calgary Stampeders' Erik Brooks (87) runs for the first down against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during first half CFL action in Winnipeg Friday, July 18, 2025. In the third quarter, after Calgary had been flagged for unnecessary roughness and put into second-and-17, Deatrick Nichols was called for illegal contact on the very next play to make it second-and-manageable. Calgary promptly picked up the first down and, three plays later, scored on a 42-yard heave from Adams Jr. to Damien Alford to make it a 10-point game. In the fourth quarter, with the game still within reach for Winnipeg (24-13), Willie Jefferson was penalized for spearing receiver Tevin Jones after delivering a hard hit to his head while leading with the crown of his helmet. It was a 15-yard infraction that set Calgary up in the red zone and eventually led to a game-sealing touchdown. It's hard to imagine O'Shea will let that slide for much longer. It hasn't felt like the typical Bombers defence recently. Perhaps this unit is subject to some unfair criticism because of the standard it set by finishing No. 1 in scoring the last four years, but there is a certain level of susceptibility that's been uncovered while playing the hottest team in the league. The Bombers have allowed seven explosive plays in their last two contests. Friday saw Adams Jr. connect with Alford for 37- and 42-yard touchdowns, and nearly another 50-plus-yard major if Dominique Rhymes had maintained possession while falling to the ground. The more concerning part is that there are some clear busted coverages in the secondary that are leading to these gains. Alford's second score saw him alone in the end zone, waiting for the ball to arrive. The cherry on top came in the fourth quarter, when Winnipeg lined up with one defensive back covering two receivers on the goal line — a clear breakdown in communication. Adams Jr. flipped an easy pass to Rhymes for a three-yard touchdown. It's tough to win when you make mistakes like that. It's natural to live and die with every result in football, because it's only played once a week. JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS Calgary Stampeders' Damien Alford (80) catches a touchdown pass against Winnipeg Blue Bombers Terrell Bonds (24) during first half CFL action in Winnipeg Friday, July 18, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods While the Bombers have some clear wrinkles that need to be ironed out, it remains too early to have any definitive feelings about what this team is and what it could be. Winnipeg has been handed an unusual schedule to begin the season, one that saw them open with a bye and then have another week off in the first six weeks of the year. The team has also played more than six quarters without its starting quarterback and lost its star receiver to injury. Those circumstances can make it difficult for any team to establish a rhythm — even one as experienced as the Bombers. Winnipeg has begun a stretch that won't lend another bye week until October. It can take teams several games to truly find their footing, which makes the next few weeks a critical stretch that could reveal what the Bombers are really about in 2025. 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.
Global News
4 days ago
- Sport
- Global News
Stampeders continue dominance with 41-20 win over Bombers
The Calgary Stampeders continued their dominance of the CFL on Friday night. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. completed 16 of 24 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Stampeders to a 41-20 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Calgary improved to 5-1 and sits alone atop the CFL's West Division. Winnipeg dropped to 3-2 before a sold-out crowd of 32,343 at Princess Auto Stadium, an eighth straight full house. Vernon completed TD throws of 37 and 42 yards to Damien Alford before finding Dominique Rhymes with a three-yard toss. Calgary's defence also picked off Winnipeg's quarterbacks four times, with Damon Webb intercepting a Chris Streveler pass and returning it 15 yards for a touchdown. The convert gave the Stamps a 38-13 lead early in the fourth quarter. It was the second time the Stamps stomped Winnipeg in the last three weeks. They beat the Bombers 37-16 in Calgary three weeks ago. Story continues below advertisement Backup quarterback Quincy Vaughn also scored on a one-yard touchdown run. Rene Parades kicked field goals of 32 and 37 yards, and converted all seven majors. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros exited in the second quarter with what's believed to be a concussion after falling to the field from a hit. He completed eight of 11 passes for 151 yards and a four-yard touchdown to Nic Demski, with two interceptions, before Streveler took over. Streveler completed 15 of 24 passes for 128 yards and one late eight-yard touchdown to Kody Case, with two picks. Sergio Castillo kicked field goals of 46 and 58 yards and converted both TDs. Calgary had upped the score to 31-13 when Adams completed a one-yard TD toss to Rhymes early in the fourth quarter. After Adrian Greene picked off a Streveler pass near his own end zone to snuff out a promising Bombers drive, the Stamps marched down the field and Adams hit a wide-open Alford for a 42-yard touchdown. The Parades convert gave Calgary a 24-13 lead heading into the final quarter. The Stamps led 17-13 at halftime. Calgary had retaken the lead when Adams connected on a 37-yard touchdown pass to Alford. Story continues below advertisement Winnipeg grabbed a 13-10 lead when Collaros capped off a 70-yard drive with a four-yard TD toss to Demski. The Stamps upped the score to 10-6 with a 32-yard field goal by Parades early in the second. Castillo had connected on a 58-yard field goal to pull Winnipeg within 7-6 following Calgary's touchdown. The Stamps had scored on their first drive, marching 70 yards on seven plays, capped off with a one-yard touchdown run by Vaughn. A Parades convert gave the Stamps a 7-3 lead. The Bombers opened the scoring on their first possession. After a sack negated a promising drive, Castillo booted a 46-yard field goal. WELCOME BACK Fans welcomed Bombers legend Milt Stegall back with a standing ovation before the game. Stegall, who was on the sidelines, returned to the TSN panel this weekend for the first time since the sudden death of his son, Chase. UP NEXT The Bombers travel to Toronto to take on the Argos in a Grey Cup rematch on Saturday. The Stampeders return to Calgary to host the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday.
Calgary Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
5 Takeaways as Calgary Stampeders crush Winnipeg Blue Bombers again, become Grey Cup front-runners
Article content Article content Adams was asked in the lead-up to the game if he has any favourites. Article content Although the Stamps QB did move the ball around Friday, it seems like he's got quite the connection with a couple of receivers. Article content 'I don't get into favourite targets or anything like that,' Adams said. 'Yeah … I go where the read tells me to go with the ball.' Article content By halftime, he'd targeted five receivers, including twice each to Alford, Tevin Jones and Jalen Philpot and a whopping eight times to Dominique Rhymes. Article content Included in the first half was a 37-yard TD strike to Alford, for the receiver's third in two games, to put the visitors up 17-13. Article content Then came the big one to Alford on what was a brilliant — but lucky? — bomb for a 42-yard third-quarter major after scrambling and spinning and looking like he just heaved it downfield on a hope and a prayer. Article content Article content The question is whether the spin was a planned tip-off to the rookie receiver to jet downfield. Article content If it was in the playbook, it was executed to perfection. Article content Jones and Rhymes — the self-proclaimed 'Twins' — each led the Red and White with four receptions, while Alford hauled in a team-high 79 yards. Article content 4) GOT YOUR NUMBER! Article content They were equally bad Friday night in the rematch. Article content Collaros again tossed a pair, and so too did his understudy, fellow veteran pivot Chris Streveler. Article content Anthony Johnson got the start in place of Tyler Richardson at boundary-side corner and executed an interception of Collaros downfield to end the first quarter. Article content Then in the second frame, Jayden Grant thieved Collaros downfield. Article content To add injury to insult, Collaros was hurt on the Grant interception, as Stamps defensive lineman Clarence Hicks pressured the QB and caught him flush in the chest while in his throwing motion, knocking him out of the game. Article content Article content Winnipeg Sun columnist Paul Friesen described it as Collaros appearing 'to hit his head on the turf in a whiplash effect. He appeared stunned and remained in a sitting position for an extended period of time with two members of the team's medical staff at his sides.' Article content It's the second time in as many seasons the Stamps have sacked Collaros and K.O.'d him from a contest. Article content Article content Hicks turned the tide for good for the Stamps in Winnipeg. Article content And his defensive mates then followed in his footsteps, further proving the Red and White defence is the best in the league. Article content Hicks, a second-year Stamps d-lineman, had two big plays — the hard hurry and hit of Collaros — after stunting inside — that led to the Grant INT, and a sack not long after of Streveler. It was a track-down that could've K.O'd another Bombers quarterback from the affair.
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Adams Jr. throws three TDs, Stampeders continue dominance with 41-20 win over Bombers
WINNIPEG – The Calgary Stampeders continued their dominance of the CFL on Friday night. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. completed 16 of 24 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Stampeders to a 41-20 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Calgary improved to 5-1 and sits alone atop the CFL's West Division. Winnipeg dropped to 3-2 before a sold-out crowd of 32,343 at Princess Auto Stadium, an eighth straight full house. Vernon completed TD throws of 37 and 42 yards to Damien Alford before finding Dominique Rhymes with a three-yard toss. Calgary's defence also picked off Winnipeg's quarterbacks four times, with Damon Webb intercepting a Chris Streveler pass and returning it 15 yards for a touchdown. The convert gave the Stamps a 38-13 lead early in the fourth quarter. It was the second time the Stamps stomped Winnipeg in the last three weeks. They beat the Bombers 37-16 in Calgary three weeks ago. Backup quarterback Quincy Vaughn also scored on a one-yard touchdown run. Rene Parades kicked field goals of 32 and 37 yards, and converted all seven majors. Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros exited in the second quarter with what's believed to be a concussion after falling to the field from a hit. He completed eight of 11 passes for 151 yards and a four-yard touchdown to Nic Demski, with two interceptions, before Streveler took over. Streveler completed 15 of 24 passes for 128 yards and one late eight-yard touchdown to Kody Case, with two picks. Sergio Castillo kicked field goals of 46 and 58 yards and converted both TDs. Calgary had upped the score to 31-13 when Adams completed a one-yard TD toss to Rhymes early in the fourth quarter. After Adrian Greene picked off a Streveler pass near his own end zone to snuff out a promising Bombers drive, the Stamps marched down the field and Adams hit a wide-open Alford for a 42-yard touchdown. The Parades convert gave Calgary a 24-13 lead heading into the final quarter. The Stamps led 17-13 at halftime. Calgary had retaken the lead when Adams connected on a 37-yard touchdown pass to Alford. Winnipeg grabbed a 13-10 lead when Collaros capped off a 70-yard drive with a four-yard TD toss to Demski. The Stamps upped the score to 10-6 with a 32-yard field goal by Parades early in the second. Castillo had connected on a 58-yard field goal to pull Winnipeg within 7-6 following Calgary's touchdown. The Stamps had scored on their first drive, marching 70 yards on seven plays, capped off with a one-yard touchdown run by Vaughn. A Parades convert gave the Stamps a 7-3 lead. The Bombers opened the scoring on their first possession. After a sack negated a promising drive, Castillo booted a 46-yard field goal. WELCOME BACK Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Fans welcomed Bombers legend Milt Stegall back with a standing ovation before the game. Stegall, who was on the sidelines, returned to the TSN panel this weekend for the first time since the sudden death of his son, Chase. UP NEXT The Bombers travel to Toronto to take on the Argos in a Grey Cup rematch on Saturday. The Stampeders return to Calgary to host the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 18, 2025
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Adams Jr. throws three TDs, Stampeders continue dominance with 41-20 win over Bombers
WINNIPEG - The Calgary Stampeders continued their dominance of the CFL on Friday night. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. completed 16 of 24 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Stampeders to a 41-20 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Calgary improved to 5-1 and sits alone atop the CFL's West Division. Winnipeg dropped to 3-2 before a sold-out crowd of 32,343 at Princess Auto Stadium, an eighth straight full house. Vernon completed TD throws of 37 and 42 yards to Damien Alford before finding Dominique Rhymes with a three-yard toss. Calgary's defence also picked off Winnipeg's quarterbacks four times, with Damon Webb intercepting a Chris Streveler pass and returning it 15 yards for a touchdown. The convert gave the Stamps a 38-13 lead early in the fourth quarter. It was the second time the Stamps stomped Winnipeg in the last three weeks. They beat the Bombers 37-16 in Calgary three weeks ago. Backup quarterback Quincy Vaughn also scored on a one-yard touchdown run. Rene Parades kicked field goals of 32 and 37 yards, and converted all seven majors. Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros exited in the second quarter with what's believed to be a concussion after falling to the field from a hit. He completed eight of 11 passes for 151 yards and a four-yard touchdown to Nic Demski, with two interceptions, before Streveler took over. Streveler completed 15 of 24 passes for 128 yards and one late eight-yard touchdown to Kody Case, with two picks. Sergio Castillo kicked field goals of 46 and 58 yards and converted both TDs. Calgary had upped the score to 31-13 when Adams completed a one-yard TD toss to Rhymes early in the fourth quarter. After Adrian Greene picked off a Streveler pass near his own end zone to snuff out a promising Bombers drive, the Stamps marched down the field and Adams hit a wide-open Alford for a 42-yard touchdown. The Parades convert gave Calgary a 24-13 lead heading into the final quarter. The Stamps led 17-13 at halftime. Calgary had retaken the lead when Adams connected on a 37-yard touchdown pass to Alford. Winnipeg grabbed a 13-10 lead when Collaros capped off a 70-yard drive with a four-yard TD toss to Demski. The Stamps upped the score to 10-6 with a 32-yard field goal by Parades early in the second. Castillo had connected on a 58-yard field goal to pull Winnipeg within 7-6 following Calgary's touchdown. The Stamps had scored on their first drive, marching 70 yards on seven plays, capped off with a one-yard touchdown run by Vaughn. A Parades convert gave the Stamps a 7-3 lead. The Bombers opened the scoring on their first possession. After a sack negated a promising drive, Castillo booted a 46-yard field goal. WELCOME BACK Fans welcomed Bombers legend Milt Stegall back with a standing ovation before the game. Stegall, who was on the sidelines, returned to the TSN panel this weekend for the first time since the sudden death of his son, Chase. UP NEXT The Bombers travel to Toronto to take on the Argos in a Grey Cup rematch on Saturday. The Stampeders return to Calgary to host the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 18, 2025
