Bombers-Ticats clash will be remembered for all the wrong reasons Kornelson, Williams’ defensive assists silver linings in catastrophic night for QBs By: Taylor Allen Posted: 6:01 PM CDT Monday, Jul. 6, 2026

There were no winners on Sunday night in Hamilton.

Sure, the end result saw the Winnipeg Blue Bombers improve to 2-2, but quarterback Zach Collaros went down in the process and the game will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

A win is a win, but the only reason the Blue and Gold escaped with a 14-13 victory was because the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ worst nightmare came true: superstar quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell was taken away in an ambulance in the third quarter after a sack left him with a serious ankle injury.

Then there’s the CFL, which had been heaped with praise for the excellent quarterback play across the board in the opening weeks, only for this to happen.

“I just wish them the best. Those are definitely two players that are great for this league,” said receiver Nic Demski.

“You never want to see anyone go down, but especially two guys of that calibre, it’s unfortunate.”

The Bombers host the Toronto Argonauts (2-2) on Friday, but before shifting the focus to that matchup, let’s unpack Sunday’s contest with the latest edition of 5 Takeaways.

OH NO, BO

What can be said about Bo Levi Mitchell that hasn’t already been said?

He’s looked phenomenal, been as efficient as ever, and had Steeltown residents daydreaming about hosting a Grey Cup parade later this year for the first time since 1999.

The gridiron gods can be oh-so cruel because one hit — even a clean one like the one Bombers defensive lineman Jake Ceresna delivered on that play — can change everything.

Mitchell underwent ankle surgery Monday morning and is expected to make a full recovery.

“I’m a proud Canadian and I absolutely frickin’ love this league, and guys like that put this league on the map,” said running back Brady Oliveira.

“It sucks, man. It’s tough for the league when a marquee guy like that goes down.”

Mitchell released a statement on Monday.

“I will do everything I can to be back on that field with y’all ASAP,” wrote Mitchell, while also thanking his teammates for visiting that night at the hospital.

“To the fans and CFL, thank you for being a part of the best game there is. We have something special in Hamilton and this doesn’t change that.”

DOWN GOES COLLAROS

Zach Collaros started the game by throwing an interception on the opening snap, and his night didn’t get any better from there.

On the first play of the second quarter, he was strip-sacked from the blind side by linebacker Reggie Stubblefield, forcing the 37-year-old pivot out of the game with an upper-body injury.

It’s unknown whether Collaros was removed as a precaution or because of a legitimate injury, but regardless, the hit forced him to watch the rest of the game from the sideline.

Even though Dru Brown had a full week with the Bombers — the team he broke into the league with — and had offensive co-ordinator Tommy Condell as his play-caller in Ottawa the past two seasons, head coach Mike O’Shea opted to keep him on the reserve roster Sunday.

His reasoning?

“I wouldn’t want to put him in there and have him have anything less than a full playbook,” said O’Shea.

And yet, the passer that came off the bench instead — rookie Canadian Taylor Elgersma — was clearly operating with a playbook stripped down to the basics.

His longest “throw” was a 31-yard touchdown to Ontaria Wilson, who caught a shovel pass and did the rest himself.

Elgersma finished 11-for-15 for 86 passing yards. His passes travelled an average of 3.5 yards downfield per attempt. The league average this season is 11.2.

As unimpressive as that sounds, he deserves credit for taking care of the football and doing just enough to give the Bombers a chance to rally from a 13-4 deficit.

As for who gets the start on Friday, that will remain a mystery until Thursday, when the team is required to release its depth chart. The Bombers return to practice Wednesday, but it will be closed to the media and public.

FORD/DOLEGALA = YIKES

The Ticats failed to score a single point after Mitchell exited.

Head coach Scott Milanovich rotated between Tre Ford and Jake Dolegala, and both struggled under centre.

Ford, a fifth-year pro out of Waterloo who signed with Hamilton after four seasons in Edmonton, never looked comfortable and threw a costly interception with 3:33 remaining. Dolegala wasn’t any better, as his first pass should have been returned for a pick-six by Bombers halfback Deatrick Nichols.

Ford’s athleticism makes him an intriguing option, but he hasn’t developed as a passer and isn’t an ideal fit for a Milanovich offence.

Meanwhile, Dolegala made a name for himself back in 2023 when he threw for over 300 yards against the Bombers on Labour Day to lead the Saskatchewan Roughriders to a thrilling 32-30 overtime victory. He’s done virtually nothing since.

The Ticats are in deep, deep trouble.

BRADY BALL

The Bombers made the smart decision on their final drive by handing the ball to Oliveira on seven straight plays, setting up a game-winning Sergio Castillo chip shot.

Oliveira went to work behind an offensive line that featured four Americans — likely a first in franchise history — in Stanley Bryant, Micah Mazzccua, Tyler Elsbury and Jarell Broxton.

Everyone in the stadium knew No. 20 was getting the football, yet he still churned out 44 yards.

“I think in that moment when (Collaros) goes down, the mindset shifted to, ‘OK, big time players got to show up in big moments,’” said Oliveira, who finished with 17 carries for 84 yards.

MAJOR MOMENT

You have to give the Bombers’ defence credit.

Before Mitchell went down, it bent but didn’t break, forcing the Ticats to settle for two short field goals in the second quarter to keep the game from getting out of hand.

Former Manitoba Bisons defensive tackle Collin Kornelson — making his season debut — deserves a shoutout for a clutch knockdown in the red zone that very likely prevented Ticats receiver Kenny Lawler from hauling in his second touchdown of the game.

Then, late in the fourth quarter, it was rookie corner Major Williams — who was tested all night and fared extremely well — who intercepted Ford for his first career pick, giving Oliveira and company a chance to win the game.

Williams was still holding onto the football in the locker room.

“It might sleep with me tonight,” said Williams.

“People want to know why it looks so easy, but good things come to those who wait and hard work pays off.”

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