With the Montreal Alouettes down to their fourth-string quarterback, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ starting quarterback made sure there would be no upset.
Zach Collaros had one of his best games of the season throwing for 263 yards and a touchdown along with completing 27 of 31 passes as the Bombers knocked off the Alouettes 26-13 in Montreal.
The Bombers win their second straight game and move to 6-4 on the season, still third place in the West, but now with the same number of wins as the 6-3 Calgary Stampeders.
Collaros picked up those numbers despite losing receivers Nic Demski and Jerreth Sterns to injury during the game. And it even led the Bombers to line up backup quarterback Chris Streveler at receiver for a number of snaps.
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“Pretty gritty,” Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said of the team’s effort on the 680 CJOB postgame show. “I thought before the half, we’re down two extremely talented receivers and the guys are just raising their hand stepping up and saying ‘yeah, yeah, I can do that’.
The offensive staff moves everybody around and I just thought it was excellent how everyone came together for their teammates.”
Before Demski left the game in the second quarter, he caught a two-yard touchdown pass from Collaros in the final seconds of the opening quarter to put the Bombers in front 10-3.
It was Demski’s sixth touchdown catch of the season, and his 400th reception as a Bomber. It was also the 81st straight game he’s had a reception.
Another star on the night for the Bombers was Brady Oliveira who led the team in rushing and receiving. He had his best rushing performance of the season, breaking 100 yards on the ground for the first time (16 carries, 137 yards, 1 TD) and he also made 9 catches out of the backfield for 73 yards.
“I’m really starting to feel like myself,” Oliveira said. “I really think that myself, and especially this offensive line, as the season goes on we just continue to get better and just build chemistry between each other.”
Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo was also stellar once again, nailing all four of his field goals.
Montreal started fourth-stringer James Morgan at quarterback, and while he showed some flashes, the Bombers defence took advantage of his inexperience, picking him off twice as Evan Holm and Trey Vaval came away with interceptions.
Next up for the Bombers is one of the most anticipated games of the season, a matchup against the first-place Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina on Sunday, August 31.
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