Lawler, Demski spark Blue Bombers’ offence

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This article was published 28/09/2024 (401 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The CFL’s stretch run is underway and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers finally have their much heralded offence operating at peak efficiency.

On Friday night, quarterback Zach Collaros threw for a season-high 432 yards and a career-best six touchdowns as the Blue Bombers thrashed the visiting Edmonton Elks 55-27.

It was also a big night for veteran Winnipeg receivers Kenny Lawler and Nic Demski. Lawler caught eight passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns while Demski added four receptions for 117 yards and two majors.

The Blue Bombers hadn’t had two 100-yard receivers in a game since Demski and Dalton Schoen accomplished the feat on Sept. 16, 2023, in a 29-23 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Lawler, who missed eight games with a fractured right arm, seems to be returning to all-star form.

He racked up his second TD of the game by going high over Elks defender Marcus Lewis and getting his left foot in bounds in the end zone before crashing to the turf.

“Kenny’s catch was like a glitch in the matrix from my vantage point at least,” said Collaros. “Dalton (Schoen) had one a couple of years ago in B.C. that was similar. I threw it and I said, ‘Oh, I don’t think he’s gonna get that’ and then he just kind of got there with his claw. This big claw. The DB looked surprised, too. We all were surprised.”

Lawler suggested Friday’s offensive output should be a sign of things to come.

“We definitely all clicked tonight,” he said. “Have we arrived? I don’t think so. I think we’ve got better ball to even play. We set out this the beginning of the season to be the best offence in the league, the best offence ever. So that’s the standard.”

Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea has grown accustomed to seeing Lawler’s amazing feats.

“You’ve got a guy who was due for a big game,” said O’Shea. “You know, six- to 10-second plays, and he’s got six minutes of highlights that look like that,” said O’Shea. “He’s an incredible athlete — his hands are so sticky — and he’s got unbelievable focus in those moments.”

Collaros, who went 21-for-26 Friday, was only seven yards shy of his career best for passing yards in a game.

“I know Zach’s got a lot more in the tank so if this is best game, it’s his best game,” said Lawler, 30. “But I know we’re gonna see a lot more. It looked easy for you guys. Did it feel easy? Never feels easy. Never. It’s never as easy as it looks.

“As much as we make it look easy. There’s a lot of hard work, preparation and a lot of time that goes into this at the end of the day.”

Demski, a nine-year pro, is in the midst of what is shaping up as the best statistical season of his career. He now has 64 catches for 864 yards and is poised to reach the 1,000-yard receiving milestone for the second time.

“I hit it last year and for a receiver of my calibre, that’s always going to kind of be in the back of your mind,” said Demski. “But at the end of the day, you can’t let that control you… I know as long as I’m on the field, I’m going to have some production.”

The 30-year-old Winnipegger said experience has made him a much better player.

“I think I’m smarter out there,” he said. “I knew I was always athletic. I knew I was always a versatile guy. I knew I always had speed and could track the ball down but now when I line up out there and see what DB’s tendencies are and see what the defensive tendencies are, I kind of know what coverage they’re in.

“I know the different looks that we’re trying to attack. It just slows down the game (for me).”

Demski broke loose for a 40-yard touchdown catch to open the scoring Friday.

“Nic makes it look easy so you can’t say it’s spectacular,” said O’Shea. “There’s a reason why there’s not somebody right near him, because he’s executed his play, really, really well.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca