Second-half rally falls short as Bombers’ season ends in Montreal

MONTREAL — You can’t expect a team to play in the Grey Cup every year, and after five straight appearances, everyone knew the clock was ticking on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and their historic streak.

But for it to end now — with the CFL’s championship game slated to be played under the bright lights at Princess Auto Stadium in two weeks — was enough to make both quarterback Zach Collaros and running back Brady Oliveira teary-eyed while addressing reporters after Saturday’s 42-33 road loss to the Montreal Alouettes in the East semifinal.

“Our organization is special, and a blessing is probably the word I’d use (to describe the six-year run),” said Collaros.

“It’s just been incredible, and that’s what makes this so hard having the Grey Cup in Winnipeg, right? Obviously, it’s a goal for everybody to make the Grey Cup, but it’s special when it’s at home, and then to not be able to do that, it’s tough.

“My family, we’re like Winnipeggers, we’ve lived here for six years now. It’s been incredible. Right now, I’m not saying it’s gone, I hope to continue making those memories, but reflecting on the last six seasons, and because it ended like this, it’s tough.”

It was only half time, but the final nail was already lined up and ready to be hammered into coffin of the 2025 Bombers.

The Als took a commanding 25-6 advantage into the break and all signs pointed to the home side continuing the onslaught in the second half.

“The statistics and the numbers said lay down, but guys weren’t quitting,” said Bombers halfback Deatrick Nichols.

In a span of six minutes, the Bombers forced two turnovers and scored three touchdowns to take an improbable 27-25 lead in the third.

Montreal responded with a haymaker of their own to go up 32-27. Then, with 12 minutes left in the game, the Bombers were down 32-30 with a chance to jump out in front when superstar running back Brady Oliveira kicked off a drive with a fumble.

The Als recovered, and the Bombers never did.

After the final whistle, most players had already retreated to the locker room, but Oliveira was crouched down near midfield trying to process what happened.

Montreal escaped a massive scare to move on to play the Hamilton Tiger-Cats next Saturday in the East final.

The Bombers now must say bon voyage to one another and clean out their lockers.

The crossover curse continues as the Bombers are the 13th team in CFL history to be sent out East for the playoffs and fail to reach the Grey Cup.

“It’s just frustrating, I didn’t want this to end. I wasn’t expecting this at all. I wanted to win to continue another week with the guys,” said Oliveira.

“I just wish it could’ve been next year that we could’ve lost. The Grey Cup, this year at home, it’s all I wanted man.”

Oliveira produced more than 200 yards in his previous outing against the Als, but this time, he was mostly a nonfactor.

Last year’s Most Outstanding Player was held to 38 yards on eight carries and one catch for 19 yards.

“Nothing,” said Oliveira when asked what Montreal did to slow him down. “I know what we can do, everybody knows what we can do. We didn’t get it going.”

It was an up and down season for the Bombers that ended at 10-8. At times, they showed glimpses of a team that could make some noise in the playoffs. But there were also many moments where they looked deeply flawed and incapable of getting through the semifinal — no matter if they stayed in the West or had to travel to la belle province.

“We all expected to go out here and get a victory. At this point of time, I don’t know where my head space is at the moment,” said left tackle Stanley Bryant.

“We had belief. I had no doubt in my mind that we were gonna win this game. We had our opportunities, we should’ve won. We can’t sit back and say we’re gonna watch the film because it’s over now. So, just got to live with it.”

Star receiver Nic Demski was ruled out at the last minute with a hamstring injury, but Collaros still managed to move the ball down the field in the second half without his No. 1 weapon. Keric Wheatfall had five catches for 104 yards, and Jerreth Sterns, Ontaria Wilson, Gavin Cobb, and Joey Corcoran all chipped in with at least two grabs.

Collaros completed 19-of-26 attempts for 306 yards, a touchdown (a 54-yard strike to Wilson in the third), and an interception that came on the final drive.

The Bombers’ defence surrendered three 30-plus yard completions and a 39-yard pass interference penalty in the first half. They woke up at the start of the third with rookie safety Cam Allen picking off Als quarterback Davis Alexander, and corner Jamal Parker, Jr. forcing Als receiver Tyson Philpot to fumble.

“It’s still a loss. They played better than us. A little better start and maybe a few more plays in the second half,” said head coach Mike O’Shea.

“They all feel terrible. I know they would’ve felt a lot worse if they didn’t come back in that third and worked so hard. They just came out in the second half with a different kind of resolve, which is no consolation. I just know they would feel a whole hell of a lot worse if it continued the way it did in the first half.”

Even though they allowed Winnipeg back in the game, Alexander never panicked. The first-year full-time starter completed 24-of-34 passes for 384 yards, one touchdown and an INT to win his first playoff game.

Including the regular season, Alexander is now 12-0 in his career.

Philpot — who had the game-winning touchdown in the 2023 Grey Cup against the Bombers — was his main target, catching 10 balls for 135 yards and a score. The Bombers were supposed to be better equipped on the ground, but Als running back Speedy Scott III had his way with 18 carries for 133 yards and two touchdowns.

“It was a hell of a fight,” said Nichols. “At the moment, you don’t care about how good your effort was because you don’t get your reward for it. But when you sit back, you know the guys that were out there had some fight in them and realistically, you can’t ask for more. Down 19, we came out of the half shooting our guns, it just didn’t come out how we wanted it to.”

It remains to be seen what’s next for the Bombers. O’Shea, Oliveira, defensive end Willie Jefferson and many other core pieces of the team’s identity are on expiring contracts. They’re also not getting younger, especially Collaros who turns 38 next season and Bryant who will be 40.

Whatever the future has in store, Jefferson used one word to sum up the team’s accomplishments dating back to 2019.

“Legendary,” said Jefferson.

“It was fun, but we still got more to do. You never know.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca