Blue Bombers down Roughriders in Banjo Bowl, 26-21 By: Jeff Hamilton Posted: 9:38 PM CDT Saturday, Sep. 7, 2024 Last Modified: 10:06 AM CDT Sunday, Sep. 8, 2024 Updates

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The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were able to hit the right notes against their most-hated rival, stringing together just enough to edge the Saskatchewan Roughriders, 26-21, in the annual Banjo Bowl at Princess Auto Stadium Saturday afternoon.

For a second straight week, the Bombers and Riders battled to the very end, with Winnipeg ending in the winner’s circle on both occasions, including a nail-biting 35-33 victory in last week’s Labour Day Classic in Regina.

“We talked about it earlier in the week how hard it is to win back-to-back games against a single opponent,” Bombers running back Brady Oliveira said. “Labour Day, Banjo Bowl, the atmosphere of both of these games, how big they are – it’s challenging, man.

“We executed the plays when they were called. It was another close one, but we fought, man. We fought hard and came out with the ‘W’”

With the win Saturday, the Bombers maintain their spot atop the West Division, tied with the B.C. Lions at 7-6. They also earn the season series against the Riders, who are now winless in their last seven games, falling to 5-7-1.

With plenty still to discuss, let’s dive deeper into this one…

OFFENCE DOES JUST ENOUGH

Early on, it looked like it was going to be another offensive onslaught by the Bombers, adding to what’s become a pattern in recent years.

Winnipeg entered the game having won the previous four Banjo Bowls by a combined score of 173-45, including a 51-6 drubbing last season.

So, when the Bombers jumped out to an early 10-0 lead — including No. 2 quarterback Streveler punching in a two-yard rushing TD on the offence’s opening drive — it felt a little déjà vu.

Things would slow down from there, however, with the Bombers adding a combined six points in the second and third quarters before putting up another 10 points in the fourth.

“I thought (the offence) didn’t do well enough in the first half — and maybe in the second half, as well — of staying ahead of the chains,” said Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros, who finished the night 24-for-31 passing for 231 yards and a TD.

”I thought (offensive co-ordinator) Buck (Pierce) was trusting us to push the ball a little bit downfield. Guys were doing a great job of getting to where they’re supposed to be.”

Collaros connected with Kenny Lawler for a six-yard TD on what was the first play of the fourth quarter, giving the Bombers a 22-18 lead. The offence finished with a modest 280 net yards, but won the time of possession, 34:03 to 25:57.

The offence was arguably at its best in the final minutes, while clinching to a 23-21 lead. Much like last week, the Bombers were able to move the ball into field goal range to go up five points and force the Riders to score a late TD to win.

Castillo was a perfect four-for-four on field goals, connecting from 46, 26, 35 and 39 yards, respectively.

BENT BUT DIDN’T BREAK

The Bombers struggled to contain Riders QB Trevor Harris for a second straight week, even if they did a better job on this day clamping down at the end to prevent a last-minute comeback.

Harris evaded being sacked in the game, finishing his day 21-of-33 passing for 287 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Both picks came courtesy of Tyrell Ford, who had one in the first quarter and then another late in the fourth, ultimately clinching the game with 44 seconds remaining. They were the only two turnovers in the entire game.

The Riders got touchdowns from KeeSean Johnson, who got the visitors on the board with a nine-yard catch to cut Winnipeg’s lead to 10-7, and Samuel Emilus, whose eight-yard reception early in the third quarter gave Saskatchewan its first lead, 13-6.

Brett Lauther rounded out the visitor’s scoring with field goals from 50 and 35 yards. Saskatchewan led with 332 net offensive yards but mustered just 14 first downs to Winnipeg’s 20.

CREAM OF THE CROP

It was a game where the Bombers best players paved the way.

Oliveira is still chasing that elusive first TD of the season, but the Winnipeg native was a human wrecking ball against the Riders. He finished the game with a combined 103 yards from scrimmage, including 11 rushes for 43 yards and six receptions for 60.

Lawler also had his best game of the season, reeling in six of seven targets for a modest 64 yards and a TD. While 64 yards might not seem like much – and, certainly, Lawler is capable of much more – it’s was when he caught his passes that mattered most.

Lawler had a 16-yard reception that pushed the Bombers into field goal range, setting up a 35-yarder for Castillo to cut Saskatchewan’s lead to 17-16 early in the third.

Then with the Bombers still trailing, 18-16, later in the frame, Lawler caught four consecutive passes – including one where he had to reach way behind himself – with the last catch a four-yard TD that put Winnipeg up for good.

On defence, it was veteran defensive end Willie Jefferson having himself a day, even if he didn’t register a sack.

Jefferson blocked a punt on the game’s opening drive, leading to a Castillo field goal, while also adding two tackles, including one for a loss, and a pass knockdown.

“That’s why they’re the top guys. That’s part of that right-on-time mentality,” Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said.

“When your best players and your hardest workers are producing, it makes everybody else’s job easier, too. And then the young guys come along and follow that lead and it turns out pretty good.”

A HEATED RIVALRY

It’s safe to say there is no love lost between these two Prairie rivals. And with a sold-out crowd at Princess Auto Stadium, totalling 32,343, the atmosphere was electric from start to finish.

Both sides were physical at the line of scrimmage, with the pushing and shoving extending well after the whistle. When they weren’t trading physical shots, there were plenty verbal jabs directed each way.

“It’s nasty. There are things you guys probably don’t see that go on in the trenches,” Oliveira said. “But it’s a good rivalry. It’s a great rivalry. The best rivalry in sports. It’s a lot of fun out there and it definitely gets physical.”

Tempers reached a boiling point late in the third quarter when Streveler was injured by a low hit from Riders DL Miles Brown. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because that’s the same Brown who sidelined Collaros last week with a nasty headshot, for which he was later fined $1000.

The tackle came on a short-yardage play, with Streveler faking the rush attempt and instead stepping back to deliver a pass on second-and-two. Brown seemed to trip near the line of scrimmage, bowling into the legs of Streveler, who appeared to severely hurt his left knee. There was no update after the game.

“I have no thoughts on that player; all of my thoughts are on Chris Streveler and how he’s feeling,” O’Shea said when asked about Brown injuring two of his QBs in as many weeks. “I would never waste time with that. He’s not on our team.”

What followed was a heated exchange of words between both sides, including Streveler tearing a strip off a couple of Riders while hopping on one knee.

It’s almost too bad this is the last game between these two teams this season — although there’s always a chance they could meet in the playoffs, assuming the Riders can win a game after the Labour Day weekend, something they’ve failed to do the last two seasons.

O’SHEA MAKES HISTORY

The victory was O’Shea’s 103rd with the Bombers, putting him one game ahead of legendary CFL and NFL coach Bud Grant for the most regular-season wins in club history.

Taking the job in Winnipeg ahead of the 2014 season, O’Shea has compiled a record of 103-68, while also guiding the team to four Grey Cups, winning twice.

“There’s just so many people that have been here for a huge chunk of it, that make it very easy every single day, not only to be successful but just to come to work every single day,” O’Shea said during his post-game press conference.

“My wife’s standing right there. My family’s been there for all of it. The 60-something losses that they feel, too. It is what it is. Over time these numbers just add up.

“But I don’t think we’re a numbers-based team. We’re a process-based team and we’ve got a room, a whole basement full of people that are all-in on the process. And the outcomes, they just happen.”

The Bombers head out on the bye week, with O’Shea having the chance to add to his wins total when the Edmonton Elks welcome Bombers to town in Week 16 on Sept. 21.

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

X: @jeffkhamilton