Bombers smarting after 19-9 loss to Riders

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This article was published 20/07/2024 (483 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

REGINA — A dejected Nic Demski sat in the locker room postgame, struggling to wrap his head around how such a promising play could turn into an utter disaster.

Down 16-9 with three minutes left against their Prairie rivals on the road, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers needed to score and it looked like they were going to do just that. Demski caught a pass from quarterback Zach Collaros past midfield and was sprinting towards the end zone when Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Jameer Thurman chased him down and threw an uppercut at the ball from behind to force a fumble.

The Riders recovered at their own 15-yard line before returning it 14 yards, and then marched the ball down the field to add a field goal to win the game 19-9.

The result drops the Bombers to 2-5, while Saskatchewan improves to 5-1.

“I thought I was clear, and obviously, I wasn’t,” said Demski. “It sucks. I’m a leader on this team, been on this team for (six seasons) now, and I can’t be making mistakes like that especially in moments like that. So, you know, I don’t feel that good about it.”

The loss doesn’t solely fall on his shoulders.

Far from it.

The Bombers — who settled for three Sergio Castillo field goals, including one from 56 yards out — entered the night with the lowest scoring offence in the league and they looked like a group well deserving of that title. It was a rough outing by Collaros, one week after leading the Blue and Gold to a 41-37 win over Calgary that made many step back from the panic button. The veteran passer completed 21 of 30 passes for 266 yards and one inexcusable interception. The Bombers were in scoring territory late in the third quarter when Collaros threw a pass across his body to a blanketed Demski for an easy interception to keep the score at 13-6 for the home side.

The Riders have forced 18 turnovers this season, which tops the CFL.

“You can’t throw an interception there in that situation. It’s a one-score game, and they ended up getting three on it, so it’s either a six or a 10-point swing there, so, that’s on me,” said Collaros.

Arguably their best scoring chance came in the first quarter when rookie receiver Ontaria Wilson blew past his defender on a go route, but Collaros, who had a clean pocket, threw the ball way short to result in an incompletion.

Friday was Winnipeg’s lowest scoring output since the B.C. Lions handed them a 30-6 beating on June 22, 2023.

“We just gotta keep pushing. I’m always gonna have confidence in myself and the guys that I go to work with every day because I know how hard we work and how much we care. That’s never a question with our team, with our unit,” said Collaros.

“We gotta figure something out, obviously… But I’ll never lose faith in our guys and obviously, myself.”

Through the first three quarters, Wilson — who exploded for 13 catches for 201 yards and a TD last week — and Demski combined for one catch for one yard. Wilson finished with two grabs for 48 yards, while Demski finished with three catches for 56 — with 50 of those yards coming on the play where he fumbled.

Running back Brady Oliveira ran nine times for 49 yards and led the team in receiving with nine catches for 80 yards.

The Bombers were six-for-18 on second down.

“We played hard, it’s just, we’re making mistakes, bro,” said receiver Drew Wolitarsky, who was also quiet with two catches for 29 yards. “We’re putting our heart and soul into this, trust me. This team is a close team, and this team is a really good team together, but we really are hurting ourselves and we’re frustrated by that.”

The Riders were led by third-year quarterback Shea Patterson who was making just the third start of his career as No. 1 pivot Trevor Harris continues to recover from an MCL sprain.

Patterson wasn’t perfect, but he made just enough plays to get the job done and didn’t commit any turnovers. The former University of Michigan standout went 17-for-25 for 261 yards and a touchdown. Running back A.J. Ouellette also had one of his best games of the season against the Bombers and their No. 9-ranked rushing defence with 88 yards on 17 carries.

The two teams were trading field goals until Patterson capped off a six-play, 74-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown toss to fullback Clint Ratkovich to the delight of the crowd at Mosaic Stadium.

Patterson’s go-to target Kian Schaffer-Baker left the game in the second quarter and watched the remainder of the contest with his arm in a sling. Rookie receiver Ajou Ajou filled in and stepped up in a big way with 110 yards on four receptions.

“I mean, we had nine points, they had 19, we gotta play better. We gotta hold them to eight,” said corner back Tyrell Ford. “We gotta tackle better and eliminate explosion plays. (Ajou) had a good game, he played well. Him and Patterson seemed to have a little connection, which I mean, good for them. But we’ll play them again.”

After the Collaros interception, Patterson threw what looked like an uncatchable ball down the field to receiver Samuel Emilus. Ford was right there, making very subtle contact with the receiver, and the ref made a questionable pass interference call that gave the Riders a free 30 yards. They ended up kicking a field goal to go up 16-6.

“I asked (the ref) what I could do better, and he said to get out of the way and let the receiver and run by me. I mean, I just gotta play within the rules and be better, that’s it,” said Ford. “I learned something today, I guess, but those are his rules, I gotta play within them.”

There was some controversy at the final whistle. Facing a third and four with three seconds remaining, Patterson ran outside the pocket to eat up the clock and waited until the last second to throw the football. Bombers linebacker Adam Bighill wasn’t having it, and he lit up the young quarterback near the sideline which led to players gathering around and shoving each other as time expired.

“(Patterson) hung onto it and then he throws it late. Biggie’s just finishing his play, there’s nothing wrong with it,” said Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea.

“There was no penalty. They take exception to it, but I think if they understand the play, they know the quarterback is supposed to get rid of it (earlier).”

Bighill wasn’t seen in the locker room afterward to be asked for a comment. Patterson had no issue with what transpired.

“That’s a veteran linebacker sending me a message. Respect to him,” said Patterson, now 2-1 as a starter.

After four straight Grey Cup appearances, it’s starting to feel like the West Division no longer belongs to Winnipeg. But the Riders, who are currently tied for first with the Lions, aren’t celebrating just yet.

“It’s still early in the season. This was a big one for us because we play them three times this year,” said Thurman. “We set the tone to let them know what they’re going to be in for for the rest of this year and now they gotta go prepare themselves.”

The Bombers will travel to Regina again on Sept. 1 for the Labour Day Classic. Next week the Blue and Gold will be in Toronto to play the Argonauts on Saturday.

“Ultimately, we’re in a bit of a hole but it’s not insurmountable,” said Bombers right guard Patrick Neufeld. “It’s a long season, and you’ve got to be optimistic, and we are.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

X: @TaylorAllen31