Bombers win wild West shootout

CALGARY — Down one, with one minute left on the clock, in Week 1.

What a way to start the 2026 CFL season for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Despite the challenging predicament, the visitors didn’t stress under the bright lights at McMahon Stadium on Friday night.

Quarterback Zach Collaros fired a 27-yard pass to Ontaria (Pokey) Wilson, followed by 13 yards courtesy of running back Brady Oliveira, before kicker Sergio Castillo drilled a walk-off 38-yard field goal to give Winnipeg a memorable 30-28 victory over the Calgary Stampeders.

While the offence and defence certainly made their fair share of plays, the Bombers should be leaving Cowtown all saying one thing: thank goodness for the rouge.

The difference in the season-opening slugfest ended up being a trio of singles courtesy of Castillo (two) and punter Jamieson Sheahan (one).

The Blue and Gold are now 6-1 in their last seven opening nights with their home opener coming Thursday against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-1).

The win also snaps a three-game losing skid against Stamps.

If it wasn’t for a sensational 15-play, 104-yard drive by Calgary, the Bombers wouldn’t have needed to make a few plays at the end to pull it out.

Down 27-21 and backed up on their six-yard line with less than four minutes to go, Stamps quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. wouldn’t take no for an answer. Bombers defensive tackle Jake Ceresna, who was making his Blue and Gold debut after signing a lucrative deal in free-agency, sacked Adams twice on the drive and yet the Stampeders still found a way to find the end zone with their veteran pivot capping things off with a three-yard score.

Outside of that, the Bombers made the necessary adjustments at half to put up a wall for the entirety of the third and most of the fourth. Ceresna finished the night with three sacks, and defensive end Willie Jefferson was also a menace with a sack, fumble recovery and two pass knockdowns. Corner Deatrick Nichols forced Adams to fumble in the third.

In the first half? A very different story.

Adams and star running back Dedrick Mills moved the ball effortlessly in the first 30 minutes — thanks to 120 yards on the ground — to take a 21-16 lead into the break.

Fortunately for Winnipeg, their weapons also came to play.

The Tommy Condell era got off to a fine start. Under their new, experienced playcaller, the Bombers marched down the field for an 80-yard, 10-play drive on their first possession that was capped off by a 19-yard touchdown scamper from Oliveira.

Short-yardage quarterback Bryce Perkins also scored for the Bombers in the second quarter after Trey Vaval’s dazzling 54-yard punt return.

In the third, the Bombers jumped out in front 22-21 after Collaros found his new best friend Tim White for a 15-yard touchdown toss.

Collaros completed 17-of-28 passes for 233 yards, one touchdown and one INT. Adams went 17-for-27 for 239 yards and one passing touchdown while also gaining 48 rushing yards.

It was a battle of the top two tailbacks in the three-down loop with both Oliveira and Mills balling out.

Mills, last season’s leading rusher, churned out 112 yards and a touchdown on 16 handoffs. Oliveira edged him slightly with 113 on 15 carries and a touchdown.

The 28-year-old Oliveira also moved into the top five in rushing in franchise history with 5,593 yards, passing Gerry James (5,541).

The Winnipegger trails Jim Washington (5,736), Willard Reaves (5,923), Leo Lewis (8,861) and Charles Roberts (9,987).

White led the Bombers in receiving with five grabs for 60 yards. Tommy Nield chipped in 52 yards on three catches.

The Stampeders honoured their 2001 Grey Cup-winning team at halftime. They upset a mighty Bombers side that went 14-4 that year.

Second-year Bombers defensive back Jaiden Woodbey appeared to have suffered a serious right-leg injury with less than two minutes remaining. He limped off the field with the assistance of two trainers.

Friday’s attendance was 17,743.

winnipegfreepress.com/taylorallen