The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (10-3) dominated the rematch and avenged their Labour Day loss with a 51-6 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-6).
Quarterback Zach Collaros had five touchdown passes in the first half and ended the game 18/21 for 319 passing yards.
RB Brady Oliveira had 154 yards on the ground with another 57 receiving.
Bombers WR Dalton Schoen had three touchdowns and 104 receiving yards. WR Kenny Lawler also had 104 receiving yards.
Roughriders QB Jake Dolegala was 15/21 for 113 passing yards.
Game Recap
Saskatchewan turned a Winnipeg mistake into points on their opening possession. Blue Bombers DT Ricky Walker took a roughing of the passer penalty after he grabbed Dolegala’s face mask extending the Saskatchewan drive.
The Roughriders quarterback would connect with WR Kian Schaffer-Baker for a pair of receptions for a first down. Dolegala then misfired on an attempt at the goal line to Schaffer-Baker. Saskatchewan had to settle for a 27-yard field by Brett Lauther to open the scoring.
Winnipeg responded methodically with a 70-yard drive, including six first downs. Blue Bombers QB Dakota Prukop finished the possession with a sneak from the one-yard line.
During the Blue Bomber’s first drive, Oliveira surpassed the 1,000 rushing yard mark.
The CFL’s top rusher was not finished. On the next Blue Bombers drive, Collaros escaped the Roughriders pressure and found Oliveira, who scampered for a 17-yard touchdown catch and run.
Lawler extended Winnipeg’s lead to 18 points with a 24-yard touchdown reception. After being initially ruled down at the one-yard line, Lawler’s touchdown was confirmed by the CFL command centre upon review.
Saskatchewan would answer back on their next possession with a 39-yard field goal from Lauther to cut their deficit down to 15, but that was as close as the green and white would get on Saturday.
The Bomber’s offence didn’t slow down with another 70-yard touchdown drive finished by a 16-yard touchdown from Schoen.
Winnipeg continued to pour it on as Collaros found Schoen for two more touchdowns. The Blue Bombers completed a perfect first half with six touchdowns on their opening six possessions, to grab a dominating 42-6 lead.
The Blue Bombers held a distinct advantage in net yardage after the first half by a 405-108 total over the Roughriders.
Things didn’t improve for the green and white in the second half. The Roughriders were able to move the ball inside of Winnipeg territory before Jackson Jeffcoat sacked Dolegala, knocking the ball loose in the process. The Blue Bombers defensive end recovered the fumble.
Sergio Castillo rounded out the scoring for Winnipeg with three field goals in the second half.
Comments from the 5th Quarter
Saskatchewan head coach Craig Dickenson was surprised by Saturday’s result. He told 620 CKRM’s Luc Mullinder that he was expecting a different result on Saturday.
“That was, the old saying, a woodshed whooping right there, we got whooped head to toe and credit to Winnipeg, they came out firing and we couldn’t match their intensity and energy.”
Dickenson said it’s vital for the Roughriders to make the necessary adjustments following a one-sided loss like they experienced against the Blue Bombers.
“Whatever it is that caused you to lose a game bad, you make enough changes that you can confidently address the team and let them that this won’t happen again and here’s why and you got some answers.”
In his first start, safety Jaxon Ford finished third in the team in tackles (4). He said that the green and white never found their footing against Winnipeg.
“You make plays, but the ones that haunt you are the ones that you don’t make, I just got to learn from that.”
The Regina product said the team will spend some time dissecting the loss before they begin preparations for Friday night’s game.
“Figure out what went wrong, what we can do better, definitely flush this one and get ready for Edmonton.”
Running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon led the Roughriders in rushing with 41 yards. He was satisfied with his performance but not with the final score.
“I’m happy with the runs, but disappointed with the results.”
The first-year player believes the Saskatchewan offence is capable of posting better numbers.
“We had some shots, and we just missed out on some big plays. Bertrand-Hudon said, “We just got to keep taking those shots and honestly we got all the pieces and everything to get more wins, we just got to get it together that’s all.”
He added the team must address the shortcomings so they can correct their mistakes ahead of their next game.
“We just can’t move on, but at the same time, we got to look at what went bad, correct it and move on to Edmonton.”
The Roughriders will return home and meet the Elks on Friday night in the final matchup of the regular season between the two teams.
