The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7-6) hosted the Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-5) on Saturday afternoon in the annual Banjo Bowl for their second and final meeting of the season.
In the first quarter, it was defense. With 8:27 left, Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros attempted to complete a pass to Nic Demski, but the ball bounced off Nelson Lokombo and was intercepted by Aubrey Miller Jr. for a 19-yard return. The Roughriders would end up punting the ball. Saskatchewan’s defense sacked Collaros twice. On the other side, Saskatchewan quarterback Trevor Harris threw an 11-yard pass to D’Sean Mimbs. Winnipeg defensive back Redha Kramdi punched the ball out, and it was recovered by Evan Holm at the 40-yard line.
The game was scoreless at the end of the first quarter. Saskatchewan’s offense had 54 yards and was 2 for 6 on second down. Trevor Harris went 6 of 9 for 30 yards. Winnipeg’s offense had 21 yards and was 2 for 5 on second down. Zach Collaros went 3 for 5 for 27 yards and one interception.
In the second quarter, Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros threw two passes for 54 yards, including a 42-yarder to Nic Demski. Then, Collaros rolled to his right side before throwing a 30-yard touchdown to a wide-open Tommy Nield to put the Blue Bombers up 7-0 with 12:34 left on a four-play drive for 84 yards.
Later, Winnipeg had the ball on the 44-yard line. The offense moved the ball to the 23-yard line. On the next play, Bryce Perkins rushed for a 23-yard touchdown, but it was called back on a holding penalty. The Blue Bombers would move the ball to the eight-yard line before Collaros was sacked twice by Mike Rose and James Vaughters for a loss of 15 yards. Kicker Sergio Castillo made a 31-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead with 2:44 left. Saskatchewan kicker Dawson Hodge made a 33-yard field goal to end the first half. The Blue Bombers led the Roughriders 10-3 at halftime.
Winnipeg’s offense had 148 yards and 4 for 11 on second down. Quarterback Zach Collaros went 10 of 14 for 141 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Running back Brady Oliveira had five carries for 30 yards. Wide receiver Nic Demski made four catches for 63 yards, while Tommy Nield made two catches for 39 yards and one touchdown. The defense had one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Saskatchewan’s offense had 116 yards and 2 for 10 on second down. Quarterback Trevor Harris went 10 of 18 for 88 yards. Running back Quali Conley had four carries for 24 yards. Wide receiver Dhel Duncan-Busby made two catches for 28 yards, and D’Sean Mimbs made three catches for 23 yards. The defense made one tackle for loss, four sacks, and one interception.
In the third quarter, Winnipeg’s offense moved the ball to the 37-yard line before kicker Sergio Castillo made a 45-yard field goal for a 13-3 lead with 9:23 left. Saskatchewan had the ball on the 40-yard line. They moved the ball to the 50-yard line. On the next play, Trevor Harris threw a 10-yard pass to KeeSean Johnson. Winnipeg defensive back Deatrick Nichols punched the ball out, and it was recovered by Tony Jones at the 51-yard line.
Midway through the third quarter, Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros attempted to complete a pass to Nic Demski, but it was intercepted by Seyi Oladipo Jr. for a 37-yard return to the 43-yard line. Zach Collaros was hurt after the play. He got up and headed to the locker room. Saskatchewan’s offense moved the ball to the 18-yard line before kicker Dawson Hodge made a 27-yard field goal. It was now 13-6 with 2:03 left.
Dru Brown was now the quarterback for Winnipeg. He threw a six-yard pass to Tim White and a 24-yard pass to Dorian Singer to the 40-yard line. Brady Oliveira rushed for four yards to the 36-yard line to end the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Winnipeg kicker Sergio Castillo made a 44-yard field goal for a 16-6 lead with 14:40 left. Midway through the fourth quarter, Trevor Harris’s pass intended for Johnny Johnson III was intercepted by Redha Kramdi for an eight-yard return to the 38-yard line.
Late in the game, Winnipeg kicker Sergio Castillo made a 36-yard field goal for a 19-6 lead with 1:51 left. The Roughriders moved the ball to the 49-yard line, but went three-and-out to end the game. The Blue Bombers beat the Roughriders 19-6 to split the season series.
Winnipeg’s offense had 291 yards (221 passing yards, 105 rushing yards, 35 yards lost), 18 first downs, 0 for 2 in the redzone, and the team was penalized six times for 44 yards. Quarterback Zach Collaros completed 13 of 19 passes (68.4%) for 175 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, while Dru Brown completed 4 of 5 passes (80%) for 46 yards. Running back Brady Oliveira had 14 carries for 100 yards and one catch for 12 yards.
Wide receiver Nic Demski made five catches for 73 yards, while Tim White made five catches for 58 yards, and Tommy Nield made two catches for 39 yards and one touchdown. The defense made 37 tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. Redha Kramdi made three tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble.
Saskatchewan’s offense had 278 yards (231 passing yards, 52 rushing yards, 5 yards lost), 16 first downs, 0 for 1 in the redzone, and the team was penalized seven times for 65 yards. Quarterback Trevor Harris completed 24 of 45 passes (53%) for 231 yards and one interception. Running back Quali Conley had seven carries for 35 yards.
Wide receiver Dhel Duncan-Busby made seven catches for 80 yards, and D’Sean Mimbs made six catches for 50 yards. The defense made 43 tackles, two tackles for loss, and two interceptions. Both teams have a bye next week.
