Big-play McCrae stars in Bombers’ victory

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This article was published 07/07/2023 (1121 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Greg McCrae started the 2023 regular season on the practice roster but the multi-purpose Blue Bomber running back/receiver may be impossible to keep out of the lineup now.

On Friday night, the 25-year-old University of Central Florida product made the two biggest plays of the game in his second start of the season as a slotback as Winnipeg rallied for a 24-11 victory over the Calgary Stampeders at IG Field.

In the second quarter, with Winnipeg’s offence sputtering, McCrae slipped behind the Stampeders secondary and connected with quarterback Zach Collaros on a 68-yard pass-and-run touchdown that pulled the hosts into an 11-11 tie.

“Just a great call by the coach,” said McCrae. “Great execution by everybody around. Great throw by Zach. We just basically got everything we wanted — great execution, great timing and it just fell right in my lap and I was just able to catch it and just run away from the last defender.”

His late-game heroics were spectacular and just as impactful.

Subbing for injured returner Janarion Grant, the 5-foot-10, 173-pounder collected Rene Paredes’ missed field goal attempt in the end zone and hesitated briefly before turning on the jets and weaving his way 102 yards downfield.

He was finally tackled on Calgary’s 13-yard line.

The play set up a 17-yard Sergio Castillo field goal, giving the Bombers a 21-11 lead early in the fourth quarter.

“I was just assessing the kick team and seeing whether guys were set up,” explained McCrae, remembering how slow the return was to develop. “I knew the call that we had and once I assessed everything, I felt like I was able to get out and make a good run for the team and put us in good position.

“It was great blocking by our return team to get out in front of me and fight to get blocks. They were running just as hard as me to just break me free and I gotta finish that one. I’m not gonna lie, I was tired.”

McCrae finished the game with 182 all-purpose yards — rushing the ball three times for seven yards and catching two passes for 73 to go along with his big return.

“I’ve been telling you guys for a while now — Greg McCrae’s a dog man…,” said Collaros. “He started in one of the most important positions in our offence and he played running back in school. To be able to do that is pretty amazing. And then you have to stick him out there after (Grant) went down — (I’m) not surprised at the return though.”

Veteran receiver Drew Wolitarsky was happy to have McCrae on his side.

“He’s kind of a quiet guy but he plays hard and he plays loud though, we could see that tonight,” said Wolitarsky. “He’s very smart player and week in, week out, he’s making great plays. I think (his playing time) comes down to some ratio stuff but since he’s been in the lineup, we’ve been able to use him more and I don’t think we’re going to take him off the field.”

The status of Grant’s injury was undisclosed.

“Janarion going down like that’s a big hit for us and he just stepped right up and made that play and that’s what we needed in that moment,” added Wolitarsky. “And we got immediate points from that.”

Winnipeg head coach Mike O’Shea is well aware of McCrae’s versatile skill set.

“It’s obviously cool — his teammates really appreciate that,” said O’Shea. “You’re gonna find there’s lots of guys can do a bunch of different things for us, that are always ready. Our coaching staff does a great job of making sure guys are prepared and on that big field goal return, the blocking was superb, right? We got to give him a good clean run and then they did.”

McCrae started seven games for the Bombers in 2022 and he’s well on his way to earning more playing time this season.

“I believe that I’m a very versatile player and I believe the coaches believe that, too,” said McCrae. “And I’m just grateful and blessed that they see me that way and allow me to … go out there and perform at a high level.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14