Bombers go old school with ground game to beat Redblacks 25-16

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This article was published 06/07/2024 (491 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The only thing missing was leather helmets.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers went old school Friday night against the visiting Ottawa Redblacks as they ran, ran, and ran some more on their way to a 25-16 victory.

The now 1-4 Bombers relied heavily on their two-headed rushing monster of Chris Streveler and Brady Oliveira as they combined for 208 yards on the ground.

Streveler, who filled in for an injured Zach Collaros at quarterback, used his legs 13 times for 79 yards and a touchdown. Oliveira, who averaged 42.6 rushing yards in the three games he’s played this year, exploded for 129 yards on 23 carries.

“To know that we’re both going to put our bodies on the line to move the football and win games, it’s exciting,” said Streveler postgame.

“And I can’t say enough about the way our offensive line responded. We challenged them this week to be physical, and they were physical. They got movement, we ran the ball on first down, and that’s our brand of football, man.”

The Redblacks will return home battered and bruised as Streveler and Oliveira aren’t the type of runners who shy away from contact. If anything, they’re the ones who dish it out.

Their lone touchdown drive came in the second quarter when they ran 11 straight times for 70 yards before Streveler punched it in on the goal line.

“I do enjoy that kind of football. I mean, it’s very pleasing,” said head coach Mike O’Shea. “In the first half, it may seem a little boring but not for us on the sideline. For our team, it’s pretty cool.”

Coming into the week, the Bombers averaged 78.5 rushing yards per contest. Last year they led the league at 139.1 yards.

“That’s the way you should play this game,” Oliveira said. “Physical, every single snap. Make them feel your presence, your physical presence, and good things can happen as the game goes on. So, I love Strev, man. He brings such a good energy and he’s so physical.”

Oliveira left the field in the third quarter with what appeared to be an arm injury but shook it off to return.

“It’s a fight, man. It’s a battle. I needed to be out there for my teammates,” said last year’s Most Outstanding Canadian award winner.

“I didn’t want to let them down, I had to get back out there and play for them. We have all the inspiration in that huddle, and I really felt I needed to get back out there for my guys.”

But is this style of play sustainable?

“Yeah. You’re gonna take some hits and be banged up, but it’s a mindset,” said Oliveira. “Can you get hit and get back up and keep doing that and wearing on them? Some guys can’t do that, but I’ve said I’m built for this. There’s guys in this huddle that are built for this.”

It was the most rushing yards the Bombers have had by a quarterback since the last time Streveler started for the Blue and Gold — Oct. 19, 2019, when he scampered 15 times 85 yards in a 37-33 loss in Calgary.

“When you know you got a quaterback that runs, you just gotta know that when the d-lineman see it, you gotta let go and not get a holding call,” said centre Chris Kolankowski. “But his communication is great. You could hear him great the whole night. He’s a pro. Yeah, he’s a backup, but he composes himself like a starter. He’s gonna do a great job until Zach’s ready to go.”

Streveler did just enough with his arm to get the job done by completing 13 of 21 attempts for 127 yards. He was very grateful for an opportunity to start after three seasons (2020-22) in the NFL with very limited playing time. The 29-year-old dual-threat passer was also out of football last year as he was waiting around to see if the four-down league would give him one more chance.

“It’s emotional, man. It feels good,” said Streveler.

“To not have played a lot of football in the last five years, it’s very exciting, but it’s about the guys in that locker room. That’s why it’s so special, because I love this team and I love that locker room. That’s what makes it that much sweeter.”

KRAMDI TAKES OUT BROWN

It was something that no one on either sideline wanted to see.

Dru Brown, the former Bombers backup quarterback, left in the second quarter with a head injury.

After running forward for a few yards, he began to slide to give himself up when Winnipeg dime back Redha Kramdi lunged and connected with his head.

Brown was visibly shaken up and was assessed by trainers for several minutes before walking off.

Ottawa head coach Bob Dyce gave an update after the game and said his starting pivot is functioning normally.

“I get that the fans, the team and everyone is going to say I’m a dirty player, but that’s not what I wanted to do,” said Kramdi.

“He was running for the first down and he slid. By rule, I don’t even have to touch him. When he slides, they’re going to blow it dead. I just have to do a better job. Dru played here, so obviously, I don’t want to get him injured or see him injured.”

“If you’ve played football, you know it happens so fast.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

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