The Winnipeg Blue Bombers took the lead in the fourth quarter and hung on to win their fifth straight Banjo Bowl in the 20th annual edition of the rivalry game.
The Bombers defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders 26-21 on Saturday at Princess Auto Stadium for their fifth consecutive win overall. The Riders are now winless in their last seven straight games. The victory moved the Bombers back into a share of top spot with the BC Lions in the West Division and also gave the Bombers the season series over the Riders in the event of a tie in the standings at the end of the season.
Both offences struggled to find much of a rhythm but a Kenny Lawler touchdown catch on the first play of the fourth quarter gave the Bombers the lead, and Tyrell Ford’s second interception of the game in the final minute sealed the victory.
“Huge,” said Bombers running back Brady Oliveira. “You know how hard it is to win back-to-back games against the same opponent? And obviously, Labour Day and Banjo Bowl, the atmosphere of both these games. How big they are, right?
“We executed the plays when they were called and it’s another close one, but we fought man. We fought hard and came out with the dub (win).
Quarterback Zach Collaros completed 24 of his 31 passes for 231 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions after being forced out of last week’s game.
“Our defence did an unbelievable job,” Collaros said. “Special teams too – giving us field position. For us, I thought we didn’t do well enough in the first half, and maybe the second half as well of staying ahead of the chains. A lot of second and long.”
Collaros has 12 TD passes and no interceptions in the last four Banjo Bowls.
The win moves the Bombers to 7-6 as they go over the .500 mark for the first time all season.
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“I thought it was gritty,” said head coach Mike O’Shea. “I think things just are happening right on time. If we play a little bit better it doesn’t have to be right on time. But that pick by Tyrell is right on time.
“I think they’re going to enjoy this one.”
It was O’Shea’s 103rd career win to pass the legendary Bud Grant as the winningest head coach in franchise history.
“I think that statue is starting soon,” joked Collaros.
“His bye week is cancelled,” O’Shea responded.
Oliveira was held to under 50 yards rushing for the second straight game with 11 carries for 43 yards. But Collaros often used him as a check-down option and he also made six catches for 60 yards.
Combined with last week’s triumph, the Bombers swept the two-game rivalry series for the third time in the last four seasons.
Quarterback Chris Streveler had to leave the game in the second half. Riders defensive lineman Miles Brown injured a Bombers QB for the second week in a row. After taking out Collaros last week, he hit Streveler low, and the Bombers backup immediately grabbed his knee in agony.
“I feel for him,” said Collaros. “I hope for the best obviously. He’s just an amazing competitor.”
“I love all our guys,” said O’Shea. “I don’t want see anybody hurt as a result of a penalty, especially.
“No thoughts about that player. All my thoughts are with Chris Streveler and how he’s feeling.”
O’Shea only said “we’ll see” when asked how he was doing.
The sold-out crowd had plenty to cheer about in the early going. Willie Jefferson blocked a punt on the Riders first possession for an early Sergio Castillo field goal.
Soon after, Ford intercepted Riders quarterback Trevor Harris. After methodically moving down the field, Streveler punched it into the end zone from the two-yard line for a 10-point Bombers lead.
The Riders quickly responded as a 52-yard catch by Samuel Emilus put them in striking distance. And KeeSean Johnson made a nine-yard TD catch to pull within three points.
They traded field goals in the second quarter to make it a 13-10 lead for Winnipeg at half time. Both teams had less than 140 yards of net offence in the opening half.
It took the Riders just three plays to find the end zone to open the third quarter. Kian Schaffer-Baker was left wide open for an 81-yard catch. And on the very next play Emilus made the reception in the end zone to give Saskatchewan their first lead.
Streveler’s injury seemed to fire up the home side and on the first play of the fourth quarter, Collaros hit Kenny Lawler with a six-yard pass for the major score to retake the lead by five points. It was his 100th career TD pass with the Bombers.
Ford intercepted Harris in the final minute to give the Bombers the win.
Defensive tackle Jake Thomas appeared in his 200th career game.
The official attendance was 32,343 as the Banjo Bowl was sold out for for the 19th straight season.
The Bombers’ all-time leading rusher Charles Roberts was added to the Ring of Honour at halftime
Linebacker Adam Bighill missed the contest after being placed on the six-game injured list with a knee injury. Offensive lineman Stanley Bryant sat out for the second game in a row with an illness.
The Bombers have their second of three bye weeks next week and return to the field on Saturday, Sept. 21 on the road against the Edmonton Elks.
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