Bombers lose backup QB Streveler in win over Alouettes

You could feel the energy get zapped out of Princess Auto Stadium five minutes into Saturday’s contest against the Montreal Alouettes.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Chris Streveler was trying to scramble when he planted his left leg and immediately went down in a heap with a non-contact injury.

Trainers ran out to the 30-year-old veteran and helped him walk gingerly off the field.

He didn’t return to the game and was on crutches in the locker room after the final whistle.

“It’s awful. He’s not just a teammate to me, he’s a really close friend and a guy I have a tremendous amount of respect and love for,” said right guard Patrick Neufeld.

“You try not to get emotional because there’s a lot of football left to play, but that one really hurts. He’s hurting right now, but I know everyone in this building has his back and we’re gonna try to do it the right way for him.”

The Bombers went on to win 19-10 in what was an otherwise forgettable late afternoon of football.

Streveler tore three of the four major ligaments in his left knee at last year’s Banjo Bowl and worked tirelessly to make it back for 2025.

“Never bet against that guy. He’s tough, so we’ll see,” said head coach Mike O’Shea, who didn’t provide an injury update.

“It’s a tough game. It can be cruel sometimes, but I’ll never doubt his resolve, his determination. We’ll see where this goes but, yeah, it stinks. But once again, until I find out whether it really stinks or not, I’m going to just keep on being positive.”

Both the Bombers and Als finish the season at 10-8. It’s the ninth year in a row the Blue and Gold have made the playoffs and hit double digit victories.

The stakes were low on Saturday, however.

Since the Hamilton Tiger-Cats clinched the East Division on Friday, the Als had nothing to gain or lose in the standings.

And Winnipeg now knows it will cross over and play the East semifinal in Montreal on Saturday at 1 p.m. as the B.C. Lions finished 11-8 after dropping the Saskatchewan Roughriders 27-21 Saturday evening.

B.C. will host the Calgary Stampeders later on Saturday.

The Bombers rested starting quarterback Zach Collaros, running back Brady Oliveira, receiver Ontaria Wilson, left tackle Stanley Bryant, defensive ends Willie Jefferson, James Vaughters, and Jay Person, dime back Redha Kramdi, and returner Trey Vaval. The Als, who initially said they were going to start star quarterback Davis Alexander, ended up rolling with backup pivot McLeod Bethel-Thompson.

“We’ll be ready for whatever route we got to take,” said defensive back Deatrick Nichols.

“We got everything that we want in front of us. I know everybody is used to seeing us have the first-round bye and play at home and try to get one win to get to the Grey Cup, but every year is always different. It’s never going to be the same. It’s the route we’re going in and I’m ready for it.”

It’s a next man up business and with Streveler out, third-string pivot Terry Wilson was thrust into action.

Bomberland has been clamouring to see what Wilson can do — a 27-year-old who only had four CFL passing attempts to his name before Saturday.

He boasts a helluva arm, and is a dangerous running threat, but proved there’s room to grow in terms of decision making.

“It felt good to get myself rolling a little bit. Definitely some plays I wish I could get back,” said Wilson, who went 11-for-21 with 79 passing yards and a pick, plus 30 rushing yards on eight attempts.

“But all together, man, defence played a phenomenal game, got us the ball in some good territory. The special teams played great. Overall, I’m gonna go back and watch film and see the things I need to correct and move on.”

On his first drive, he completed back-to-back passes before tossing up a floater to the end zone to Als safety Marc Antoine Dequoy. His second possession wasn’t any better as Wilson once again threw a pass directly to Dequoy only this time he got lucky as the defender dropped it. Then with four minutes left in the second quarter, Wilson fired a pass to rookie receiver Joey Corcoran near the sideline that bounced off the hands of defensive back Kabion Ento in what should’ve been an automatic pick-six.

The fourth-year pro — Wilson spent two years in the USFL/UFL before arriving in Winnipeg in 2024 — ended the half on a positive note after Bombers safety Cam Allen put the offence in prime scoring position thanks to a 42-yard fumble return. Wilson relied on his legs to cap off a five-play, 19-yard drive to take a 13-4 advantage into the break.

“I thought (Wilson) operated very well,” said O’Shea.

“Every single player in pro sports wants a play, or a shift, or an at-bat back, but I thought he did very well… Let him enjoy this one.”

Bethel-Thompson had an atrocious showing — 17-for-34 for 182 yards, zero touchdowns, and one INT — which allowed the Bombers to put the game away with a pair of fourth quarter field goals.

Bombers second-year tailback Matthew Peterson was the only player on either offence to have a consistent game as he ran 17 times for 80 yards and caught four passes for 27 yards. Fullback Michael Chris-Ike, who entered the week with one career carry for two yards in his two seasons, rumbled for a 63-yard gain in the fourth to help seal the deal. Rookie defensive ends Kydran Jenkins and Matthew Jaworski both sacked Bethel-Thompson in their CFL debuts.

“Getting this win is big for us in the playoffs,” said Neufeld. “We talked about getting a good win going into the playoffs and we want to be playing well and we took a step in the right direction.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca