It was basically a nothing game for the Blue Bombers but it was the first time the CFL’s powerhouse had been tested in quite some time.
Tied 21-21 going into the fourth quarter, Winnipeg out-scored the Montreal Alouettes 10-0 in that fateful final 15 minutes to pull out a 31-21 triumph before a November crowd of 22,933 fully-vaccinated fans at IG Field on Saturday.
The Bombers, who improved to 11-1 on the season, had already clinched fist place in the CFL West. Montreal, which has clinched a playoff spot in the East, drops to 6-6.
Sean McGuire scored a touchdown on a two-yard run and Sergio Castillo, their latest placekicker, booted a 47-yard field goal for the margin of victory.
The Als had taken a 21-14 lead early in the third quarter.
“I think adversity’s always good,” said defensive lineman Jake Thomas, who recorded two quarterback sacks. “I think we’ve got to realize that it’s not always going to be sugar cookies and rainbows. We’re not always going to be up 45-0. I think today we were in a hard-nose football game and it’s fun to be in those games. It’s fun to be in the fourth quarter trying to shut them down when it really matters. They’re a good team and I’m sure it’s going to be another close one next week.”
The Bombers play the Als in Montreal on Nov. 13.
Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros completed 21 of 33 passes for 280 yards, including TD tosses of 10 yards to slotback Nic Demski and 24 to receiver Drew Wolitarsky. Castillo, who converted all three, also connected on field goals of 22 and 37 yards and added a single off a missed 37-yarder.
Montreal defensive end Jamal David returned a Brady Oliveira fumble 19 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. Quarterback Trevor Harris completed 14 of 25 passes for 177 yards, including touchdown passes of six yards to receiver Reggie White Jr., and seven yards to receiver Jake Weineke. David Cote converted all three.
Montreal had also taken a 14-11 lead earlier in the game.
“It’s certainly a little more adversity and a little different kind of feel to it, for sure,” said Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea. “And having to go out and gut one out there in the second half is maybe a position we haven’t really been in, maybe, in a little while. So, certainly good to learn from this and a good time to learn from it.”
Linebacker Adam Bighill, who had eight defensive tackles and an interception, concurred.
“It’s great for us to be in games like this because not everything’s just always gonna go our way,” he said. “So, I mean, a little bit of adversity and be able to power through. Obviously, we had a key turnover (fumble), they ended up with a touchdown and we gave up a drive that went for a touchdown early. So, how do we respond? And those are good moments that great teams overcome. I was really happy to see how we came out, especially in the fourth quarter, and really go ahead and took the win.”
The Bombers are now an unblemished 7-0 at home this season. Their next home game will be the CFL West Final on Dec. 5.
“We have to understand that the fans are the lifeblood of our league,” O’Shea said. “So, we need to honour them with good play that they’re proud of when they leave the building – they’re proud to come watch us. But we don’t talk a lot about that or anything. I just, I feel that our players are pretty observant and understand how good our fans are to us.”
After next week, the Bombers will finish out the regular season in Calgary.
