Key Takeaways:
- Zach Collaros connected with Dalton Schoen for a 27-yard touchdown pass halfway through the 4th quarter in a 19-12 win over the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday night in Ottawa.
- Winnipeg marched down the field with 16 seconds left in the second quarter, and Collaros connected with Greg Ellingson for a 13-yard touchdown pass.
- Winnipeg will face Hamilton on June 24. On June 30, the Ottawa Senators will host the B.C. Lions.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will take it despite it not being their prettiest win of the season.
In a 19-12 triumph over the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday night in Ottawa, Zach Collaros linked along with Dalton Schoen for a 27-yard touchdown pass halfway through the fourth quarter.
After a “difficult” quarter and a half, Winnipeg coach Mike O’Shea claimed the Blue Bombers (2-0-0) began to pick up their performance late in the first half.
“In the second half, I think we moved the ball quite well and scored the points we needed to score,” he remarked.
At T.D. Place, the Redblacks could not capitalize on their opportunities, settling for 4 field goals from Lewis Ward.
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“We’re moving the ball, but we have to finish with sevens because that was our target this week,” Ottawa head coach Paul LaPolice stated. “Especially with this group of people. Even if you have a great 50-yard play, [against] this squad, they will keep you out of the end zone even if you have an explosive play.”
Ottawa got the ball to the Winnipeg 17-yard line with under two minutes left in regulation but came up empty-handed. Last week in Winnipeg, the Blue Bombers defeated Ottawa (0-2-0).
Collaros completed 15 of 22 passes for 228 yards, including 2 touchdowns. Jeremiah Masoli of Ottawa completed 27 of 38 passes for 331 yards.
The Redblacks have a bye week reaching up, and Masoli says the players should take advantage of it to “clean it all out psychologically” before returning to the field.
He believes the club is capable of winning but that finishing drives are the difference.
Masoli commented, “I think the coach called a wonderful game.” “We would have been up two possessions if we had executed a couple more plays.”
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With 16 seconds left in the second quarter, Winnipeg marched down the field, and Collaros connected with Greg Ellingson for a 13-yard touchdown throw.
“I believe that was significant for us,” Collaros remarked. “I’m not a sceptic of forwarding motion. Coming into halftime as well as moving the ball like that offensively was crucial in giving us a boost.”
Ottawa led 9-7 at halftime but looked to lose steam against the defending Grey Cup champions after the break.
Winnipeg linebacker Adam Bighill remarked, “We evolved as the game progressed and made the adjustments after halftime.” “At the end of the day, we figured out a way to get the job done, and I’m pleased about that.”
On the 1st possession of the 2nd half, Marc Liegghio kicked a 30-yard field goal to give Winnipeg a 10-9 lead.
The Blue Bombers appeared to be in control of the game until Ellingson threw a likely touchdown pass to himself in the end zone, forcing Winnipeg to settle for a 22-yard field goal.
Late in the third quarter, Ward scored a 38-yard field goal to get Ottawa within a point.
On June 24, Winnipeg will host Hamilton. The Ottawa Senators will play the visiting B.C. Lions on June 30.
Source: CBC News
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