Bombers wrap up regular season, steamroll Stampeders 36-13

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This article was published 27/10/2023 (716 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CALGARY — A mostly forgettable night of football at McMahon Stadium on Friday ended with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers prevailing 36-13 over the Calgary Stampeders.

The regular season finale meant nothing in the standings, and some uninspiring play reflected that before the blue and gold — who rested a long list of starters — turned it on late in front of an announced crowd of 18,691 fans.

The Bombers, who finish the year at 14-4, clinched the West Division crown last week and will host the West Final at IG Field on Nov. 11. Calgary, who fell to 6-12 with the loss, was already locked in as the No. 3 seed and will head to Vancouver next Saturday to meet the B.C. Lions in the West Semi-Final.

“It’s a priviledge to play any game,” said Bombers receiver Rasheed Bailey.

“If we would’ve lost, it would’ve been a sour taste in our mouth going into the playoffs. This is how you want to go in. You don’t want to go in just trying to get in. We got in and we’re rolling. We got some guys that sat out today and they’re going to be ready, too. Our goal is to win the Grey Cup and that’s what we’re on a mission to do.”

The game changed late in the third quarter when Bailey caught a deflected pass from Dru Brown and fought defenders off on his way into the end zone for a 68-yard score to give the Bombers a 19-13 advantage with 2:32 left in the frame.

“It will probably go down as one of my greatest touchdowns in my career,” said Bailey, who made another catch for 13 yards to end with a game-high 81 yards.

The catch — the longest of Bailey’s four-year CFL career — occurred less than two minutes after the Stamps took their first, and only, lead of the game courtesy of a 21-yard Cole Tucker touchdown grab.

“That’s as good of a touchdown catch and run you’re ever going to see,” said head coach Mike O’Shea.

“He got that whole bench fired up. Guys were just pumped when they saw that.”

The Bombers increased their lead to 26-13 in the first minute of the fourth quarter with Brown tossing a 31-yard touchdown to receiver Brendan O’Leary Orange. It was the first score of the season for O’Leary-Orange and the second of his two-year career.

Brown got the start under centre and connected on 13-of-17 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns while starter Zach Collaros watched from the sidelines. Dakota Prukop — who scored on a one-yard quarterback plunge with 90 seconds left to make it a 36-13 game — also got some work and went 4-for-8 with 28 passing yards and one lost fumble.

Brown, a 26-year-old in his third season with the Bombers, threw for 983 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and zero interceptions this year while completing 70 per cent of his passes. Brown will be a highly sought-after free agent this offseason.

“I’ll reflect after the season’s over. When I come in, my teammates expect me to compete and execute at a high level and I want to honour them and honour my family when I go out there and play,” said Brown.

“If the numbers reflect that, cool. If they don’t, I’m just going to compete my ass off.”

Bombers running back Brady Oliveira played the first quarter, plus a handful of fourth quarter snaps, to finish with 36 yards on eight carries to give him 2,016 all-purpose yards in 2023. He’s only the second Canadian in league history to accomplish that feat (Stamps legend Jon Cornish did it in 2013).

“Honestly, I never thought I’d hit 2,000 yards from scrimmage. Ever. It’s crazy, I guess I got to start dreaming bigger now,” said Oliveira.

Oliveira hit the milestone on his fourth touch and made sure to give the ball to head equipment manager Brad Fotty to save it for him.

“I saw Brady work before he had any of this success. Like he really manifested this, and he really worked for it,” said receiver Drew Wolitarsky, who had five catches for 71 yards. “I’m really happy for him, like 2,000 yards is unreal. I couldn’t even imagine, that would be such a cool feeling. He’s just a very hardworking, humble dude and he gives credit where credit is due. This (offensive) line is really talented … It takes a whole team and we all buy into that.”

In addition to Collaros, left tackle Stanley Bryant, defensive ends Willie Jefferson and Jackson Jeffcoat, linebackers Adam Bighill and Kyrie Wilson, receiver Nic Demski, safety Brandon Alexander, defensive back Winston Rose, defensive tackle Ricky Walker, and dimeback Redha Kramdi were all taken out of the lineup to rest up for the West Final. Defensive tackles Miles Fox and Tanner Schmekel used the opportunity to register their first career sacks.

“Go around and ask everybody that got to play if it meant nothing to them,” said special teams ace Nick Hallett, who started at safety. “It was definitely just a special time for guys that don’t normally get to play. It meant something to us.”

Kicker Sergio Castillo did most of the damage for Winnipeg by going a perfect 5-for-5 on field goals. His first attempt was a 51-yarder during a snowy first quarter.

“It’s just reassuring because before every game, I have a little anxiety, little doubts, so, you just want to get that first one out of the way. But definitely it’s a confidence booster going into playoffs, especially with this type of weather,” said Castillo.

“We haven’t played in a game like this. We’ve been lucky all year where it’s been good weather.”

It was a poor showing by Calgary pivot Jake Maier who was held to six-of-15 passing for 110 yards and a touchdown.

Stamps linebacker Micah Awe recorded a whopping 13 tackles to finish the year with 134 defensive takedowns which is a new single-season franchise record and the third most in CFL history.

The Bombers now have two weeks to prepare for a game that could punch their ticket to a fourth straight Grey Cup.

“The big one circled on our calendar is the West Final and I’m jacked up about that one. I hope it’s freezing in Winnipeg, I hope it’s minus-20. Mother Nature, give me the cold, cold weather,” said Oliveira.

“It’s going to be good. It’s going to be in front of our fans and it’s going to be exciting and loud. I can’t wait.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

X: @taylorallen31