Zach Collaros returns to propel Blue Bombers past Stampeders
Colby Spence/CFL.ca
Tim White and Ontaria Wilson celebrate after a touchdown.
WINNIPEG — Zach Collaros returned from a two-game absence to guide the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to a Mobil Thanksgiving Weekend win over the Calgary Stampeders at home. Winnipeg's pivot threw for 349 yards and two touchdowns as the Bombers claimed a 33-28 win and overtook the Stamps in the West Division standings with both teams fighting for a playoff spot.
Winners of three straight coming into Week 19, the Stampeders kept it close but were unable to get back into a lead after the Blue Bombers went up 7-3 through an Ontaria Wilson touchdown late in the first quarter.
Wilson's touchdown was the first of two quick-fire scoring drives by the Bombers in the first half. Late in the second quarter, Dorian Singer made a 45-yard catch as part of a 166-yard day before Collaros delivered a touchdown pass to Nic Demski to round off a three-play possession. The Bombers went into halftime leading 17-9.
The hosts would increase their advantage in the opening seconds of the second half with a kickoff return touchdown courtesy of Trey Vaval. He went 88 yards to the house to make it a 24-9 game early in the third quarter.
Calgary got their first touchdown of the game midway through the third when Deonta McMahon fought his way across the goal line to make it a one-score game. The Stamps' back had a 45-yard run earlier in the seven-play scoring drive.
On the ensuing drive, Brady Oliveira lost a fumble and Calgary would make the hosts pay. McMahon came back for Thanksgiving seconds, scoring his second major of the evening on an eight-yard reception. Vernon Adams Jr. came up short on the two-point try, leaving the score at 24-22 through three quarters.
Sergio Castillo knocked in three field goals in the fourth and a late Quincy Vaughn score wouldn't be enough as Winnipeg held on at home to end a two-game slide.
Calgary had the opportunity to punch their ticket to the postseason with a road win at Princess Auto Stadium but will instead continue their playoff push with just one game remaining on their regular season schedule. Winnipeg now owns the season series against Calgary and a potentially pivotal standings tiebreaker if the two clubs finish with the same amount of points after 18 games played.
Adams Jr. threw for 284 yards and touchdown in the losing effort. In the first quarter, the veteran quarterback surpassed 4000 passing yards on the season. He has now reached that mark three times in his CFL career.
McMahon finished with 13 carries for 77 rushing yards and a pair of catches for 27 receiving yards to go with his pair of touchdowns. Calgary receiver Tevin Jones caught six passes for 72 yards.
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SCORING PLAYS
Rene Paredes 20-yard field goal (4:19, Q1) | CGY 3, WPG 0
Zach Collaros 18-yard touchdown pass to Ontaria Wilson (3:25, Q1) | WPG 7, CGY 3
Sergio Castillo 45-yard field goal (10:27, Q2) | WPG 10, CGY 3
Rene Paredes 56-yard field goal (7:39, Q2) | WPG 10, CGY 6
Rene Paredes 43-yard field goal (2:04, Q2) | WPG 10, CGY 9
Zach Collaros 25-yard touchdown pass to Nic Demski (1:38, Q2) | WPG 17, CGY 9
Trey Vaval 88-yard kickoff return touchdown (15:00, Q3) | WPG 24, CGY 9
Deonta McMahon six-yard rushing touchdown (7:53, Q3) | WPG 24, CGY 16
Vernon Adams Jr. eight-yard passing touchdown to Deonta McMahon (0:58, Q3) | WPG 24, CGY 22
Sergio Castillo 48-yard field goal (13:07, Q4) | WPG 27, CGY 22
Sergio Castillo 44-yard field goal (7:15, Q4) | WPG 30, CGY 22
Sergio Castillo 33-yard field goal (1:44, Q4) | WPG 33, CGY 22
Quincy Vaughn one-yard rushing touchdown (0:17, Q4) | WPG 33, CGY 28
NEXT UP
The Blue Bombers will go up against the division-leading Edmonton Elks at Commonwealth Stadium in Week 20 on Friday, October 16. The Bombers have dropped three in a row against the Elks.
Meanwhile, the Stampeders will return home after their three-game road swing, hosting the BC Lions on Saturday, October 17. The Stamps have lost five of their past six meetings with the Lions.