Collaros takes beating in win

It looked bad. Real bad.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros made his return to the lineup on Friday night against the Ottawa Redblacks, and he was once again the victim of a blindside hit.

The one he suffered in Hamilton on July 5 appeared relatively modest in comparison and yet, it sidelined him for a month with a neck injury.

So when Redblacks linebacker Lucas Cormier came around the edge unblocked and hammered Collaros from behind in the second quarter, you could hear a pin drop inside Princess Auto Stadium.

The soon-to-be 38-year-old pivot laid on the field for nearly five minutes before walking off. You couldn’t fault anyone who assumed the worst at that point.

But Collaros — who had at least five medical staff members attending to him on the sideline — returned to action four plays later.

He went on to help the Bombers to a much-needed 33-21 victory in front of 31,312 fans.

With the win, the Blue and Gold snap a two-game losing streak and improve to 5-4. Another loss is old hat for an Ottawa side that’s now a gag-inducing 0-9 on the year.

While Collaros finished the game, he wasn’t done taking a beating. He was sacked a season-high four times. It’s the third game in a row where the Bombers have given up at least three sacks.

Collaros wasn’t fantastic, but he was good enough by completing 21-of-31 passes for 222 yards and no turnovers.

Bombers running back Brady Oliveira ended up being the star of the show despite being listed as a game-time decision with an ankle injury.

The Winnipegger only had 20 catches in the first eight games, but offensive co-ordinator Tommy Condell finally tapped into Oliveira’s receiving skillset this week.

Receiver Tim White led the way with eight grabs for 85 yards, but Oliveira was right behind him with eight for 80.

The 2024 CFL Most Outstanding Player also had 11 carries for 74 yards and a rushing touchdown.

The Bombers led 20-12 at the half but they would’ve been ahead by more if they didn’t let Ottawa returner Kalil Pimpleton rattle off a 75-yard kickoff return with 43 seconds left.

The special teams blunder allowed Ottawa quarterback Jake Maier to capitalize with a 12-yard touchdown toss to running back Greg Bell to make it a 17-12 game — Ottawa went for a two-point convert and failed.

The Bombers did their best to make up for the late score by getting Sergio Castillo in range for a 56-yard field goal with zeros on the clock to increase their lead to 20-12 heading into the break.

Six minutes into the third, that lead should’ve grown to 27-12, but receiver Ontaria Wilson dropped a soft lob in the end zone without a single defender in sight. Winnipeg had to settle for a 31-yard field goal to go up 23-12.

Castillo would chip in another three points with a 21-yarder early in the fourth to make it a 26-15 game.

The Redblacks were due for a lucky break considering what happened to them in the first half.

In the second quarter, fullback Jevoni Robinson was uncovered and caught a pass up the middle of the field. He looked destined to reach the end zone but then he pulled up lame with a lower-body injury and Ottawa went on to settle for three points.

In the first quarter, Maier aired out a deep pass to receiver Ayden Eberhardt for what was likely going to be a touchdown, but the ball collided with the upright.

Short-yardage quarterback Bryce Perkins scored in the first half for Winnipeg on a two-yard plunge and put the game out of reach with another TD with 2:31 remaining to make it a 33-21 contest.

The Bombers sunk to a new low in their previous outing on July 30 when they allowed the B.C. Lions to torch them for 377 rushing yards, but on Friday, the run defenders came to play. Ottawa’s longest rush of the night was six yards, and they were held to 27 ground yards on eight attempts.

Rookie defensive tackle Michael Fletcher was the only Bomber to take down Maier. Fletcher also wiped out a nine-yard sack by teammate Jake Ceresna — who entered the week tied for the league lead with six — on second down with six minutes left in the game as Fletcher made helmet-to-helmet contact with Maier on the play.

Two plays later, rookie dime back Jaylen Smith — a second-year Canadian who got the start for an injured Michael Griffin II — was flagged for illegal contact.

The yellow laundry helped the Redblacks march down the field and score on a four-yard passing play to Eberhardt. Ottawa once again went for two and failed, resulting in the scoreboard reading 26-21 for the home side with 3:48 to go.

That’s as close as the Redblacks would get.

Bombers returner Trey Vaval took the ensuing kickoff 50 yards and four plays later, Perkins had his second score.

First-year Bombers defensive end David Reese made his presence felt on Ottawa’s first drive with his first career interception.

Maier completed 28-of-43 passes for 314 yards, two touchdowns and one INT.

The Bombers are now 2-4 at home this season.

Winnipeg will try to keep it going in Edmonton next week when they challenge the Elks (6-3) on Friday.

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