Nov 19, 2023; Hamilton, Ontario, CAN; Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira (20) scores a touchdown past Montreal Alouettes defensive back Reggie Stubblefield (35) in the first half at Tim Hortons Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports The Saskatchewan Roughriders are talking about hunting hungry Friday night.
Their prey might be tougher than first thought.
The visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers are just 2-4 but have won consecutive games and are starting to look a bit more like the team that’s dominated the West in recent years.
Now the task is keeping the momentum going when they face the Roughriders (4-1).
In last week’s 41-37 home win over Calgary, veteran quarterback Zach Collaros overcame two early interceptions and threw for 344 yards with a pair of touchdowns. Instead of looking like a guy who might be washed up, he played like the guy who’s led the team to four straight Grey Cup finals.
“It’s been a slower start than we would have liked,” he said. “But that’s what makes this game great. You want all of the highs and you want everything to go right all the time but it’s that battle — that inner battle … that if something doesn’t go right, how do you respond?”
Granted, there’s still a lot of ground for Winnipeg to cover. The Blue Bombers stand three games behind West leader BC and 2 1/2 in arrears of Saskatchewan. But the last four years show that it’s not a good idea to overlook the Blue Bombers.
One way the Roughriders can return to the win column is to shut down Winnipeg’s run game. Saskatchewan leads the league in rush defense, allowing just 47.4 yards per game. But Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliviera is coming off consecutive 100-yard performances.
“He’s not afraid to fight for the extra yards,” said Saskatchewan coach Corey Mace of Oliviera, who is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury. “He’s down for the aggressive game; he kind of wants that. So defensively, you have to match that intensity and understand that it’s not only going to be one guy.”
The Roughriders also need a little more from their offense. That unit has slipped a bit with quarterback Trevor Harris (knee) on the shelf for at least four more games. Shea Patterson did throw for 278 yards last week in a 35-20 loss to BC but also tossed an interception without throwing a touchdown.
Saskatchewan must also play without right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick (quad), meaning Jacob Brammer will get his first career start.
–Field Level Media
