Bombers beat Lions, punch ticket to post-season

It wasn’t pretty, but the Winnipeg Blue Bombers did enough to clinch a playoff berth in Friday night’s regular-season finale in Vancouver.

Despite a horrific first half and an injury to starting quarterback Zach Collaros in the third, the Bombers found a way to prevail 34-10 over the B.C. Lions.

With the Bombers’ (9-9) win, the Calgary Stampeders (9-9) have been eliminated.

The Lions (10-8) rested the majority of their starting offence, including star quarterback Nathan Rourke, since they had nothing to play for with second place in the West Division already finalized.

If the Saskatchewan Roughriders lose to the Edmonton Elks on Saturday (2 p.m. CT kickoff), the Bombers will finish third and return to Vancouver next week to face B.C. in the Western semifinal.

If the Riders win, the Bombers will finish fourth and cross over to play the Toronto Argonauts in the Eastern semifinal.

The Bombers trailed 10-3 with 3:42 left in the third when Collaros was forced to leave the contest. Lions defensive tackle Nathan Cherry was flagged for roughing the passer on the play for driving Collaros into the turf.

Four plays later, backup quarterback Dru Brown hit Dorian Singer for a 30-yard touchdown to tie the game at 10-10. Brown finished the game 11 for 11 with 185 yards and two touchdowns. Collaros went nine for 20 with 105 yards and one interception.

Running back Brady Oliveira exploded for 149 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Singer led the club in receiving with four catches for 119 yards and a touchdown.