Bombers earn last minute win over Redblacks in season opener – Winnipeg
It appeared just like the Ottawa Redblacks had been going to spoil the banner elevating get together, however the Bombers backup quarterback saved the day.
The Bombers made a subject aim with six seconds left to beat the RedBlacks 19-17 of their season opener at IG Area on Friday.
Bombers beginning quarterback Zach Collaros was hit within the head with lower than two minutes left whereas trailing by a single level. Harm spotters eliminated him from the sport, however backup QB Dru Brown accomplished three consecutive passes to get them in hanging vary. And Marc Liegghio hit a 25-yard subject aim to offer the back-to-back champs the victory to begin off their quest for the three-peat.
It was the primary time the Redblacks misplaced their season opener since 2014 after they had been additionally crushed by Winnipeg.
The 2 groups hadn’t performed one another in virtually three years since July of 2019.
There wasn’t a lot to love from the Bombers, apart from the ultimate rating.
The Bombers offence struggled at instances to maneuver the chains, whereas the secondary was giving up huge chunks of actual property. The offence went 2-and-out in a stretch of 5 of their six possessions within the second and third quarters.
Ottawa had an enormous edge in possession time and whole offence with the Bombers giving up 441 web yards of offence.
After not taking a single snap within the pre-season, Collaros accomplished 18 of his 26 passes for simply 188 yards with one landing and no interceptions, whereas Redblacks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli handed for 380 yards.
Former Bombers receiver Darvin Adams made seven catches for 71 yards in his return to his outdated stomping grounds.
New Bombers receiver Greg Ellingson had 74 yards receiving with a landing in his blue and gold debut.
READ MORE: Winnipeg Blue Bombers assured in Collaros as they chase third consecutive Gray Cup
Changing the now departed Andrew Harris, the Bombers new beginning working again, Brady Oliveira, made his mark within the first quarter. He took a toss from Collaros earlier than sprinting 24 yards right down to the RedBlacks three-yard line.
And two performs later Ellingson made a five-yard catch for his first landing within the blue and gold, and the Bombers first TD of the season.
Ottawa answered proper again with a 20-yard landing catch by Shaquille Johnson on their very subsequent possession to even the rating. It was an 11-10 Redblacks lead at halftime.
The Redblacks added a subject aim to steer by 4, and issues had been wanting bleak for the Bombers after receiver Dalton Schoen fumbled the soccer.
However the Bombers’ defence took the ball proper again as Nick Taylor intercepted Masoli late within the third quarter.
Halfway by the fourth quarter, quarterback Dakota Prukop scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak. However they missed the convert and Ottawa quickly made a subject aim to take a one level lead with three minutes remaining.
However after Collaros was faraway from the sport, Brown marched the Bombers into subject aim distance the place Liegghio received the sport for Winnipeg.
READ MORE: Blue Bombers lower 11 gamers together with Whop Philyor
Earlier than the beginning of the sport the Bombers revealed their newest championship banner, recognizing their twelfth Gray Cup title in franchise historical past.
The Bombers journey to Ottawa subsequent week for the rematch towards the Redblacks on Friday night time.
