2023-08-25 00:00:00
Summary
After a hard-fought first half, the Blue Bombers prevailed 27-0 following halftime Thursday in a 47-17 Winnipeg win over the Montreal Alouettes.
The Alouettes (6-4) were hoping Cody Fajardo’s comeback would add to their four-game winning streak, but it was Zach Collaros’ return that helped the Blue Bombers (9-2) to post a fifth consecutive win.
Returning following missing a game with a neck injury, the Blue Bombers quarterback made three interceptions in the first half but completed four touchdown passes while the Alouettes offense was unable to reach the end zone.
The Alouettes’ two touchdowns were scored by the defense on interception returns. Tyrell Richards started the game with a first defensive touchdown on the Blue Bombers’ first play on offense.
Marc-Antoine Dequoy then made two interceptions on consecutive sequences at the end of the first half. He returned his second theft for 57 yards into the end zone to make it 17-14 Alouettes, their last lead of the game.
“I will speak for the defense, yes we made big plays but we also granted a lot, admitted Dequoy. It’s a double-edged sword. There will be a lot of things to correct. It’s a pretty hard defeat to swallow, honestly. »
Both teams returned to the locker room with a score of 20-17 in favor of the Bombers following a touchdown on the ground by Brady Oliveira.
It was in the second half that the Blue Bombers took off.
Two quick turnovers in the third quarter notably allowed Winnipeg to add 10 points to their lead.
Fajardo was initially guilty with his second interception of the game, early in the third quarter. Dakota Prukop found the end zone on a quarterback sneak on the ensuing sequence.
As soon as the Alouettes regained the ball, Jackson Jeffcoat took advantage of a bad throw-in from Alouettes center Justin Lawrence to force another turnover. Sergio Castillo then made a 29-yard field goal.
The Bombers added another layer of it on the final play of the third quarter when Collaros completed his third touchdown pass of the game to join Kenny Lawler for 25 yards.
Early in the fourth quarter, Collaros scored his 4th passing major when he spotted Brady Oliveira on six yards to make the score 44-17.
Dalton Schoen caught two touchdown passes for Winnipeg. Oliveira provided a touchdown on the ground and another on reception. He rushed for 119 yards on 18 carries.
Fajardo was returning to action following a two-game absence with a left shoulder injury. He completed 14 of 25 passes for 137 yards with two interceptions.
“The defense did a good job,” Fajardo said. We were starting our sequences deep in our territory. It’s hard to cross the field once morest this team. »
William Stanback was limited to 32 yards on eight carries. Austin Mack was the Alouettes’ most prolific receiver with five catches for 55 yards.
“The attack must be better, sorry Stanback. We have to stop trusting the defense. We have to do the job ourselves. It was not a good game for the attack. »
Alouettes defensive back Wesley Sutton left the game in the third quarter following suffering a blow to the head.
Tyrell Richards also left the game. He suffered a left leg injury in the fourth quarter.
The challenge was daunting for the Alouettes, who faced the best team in the West following having had a short time off following their victory last Saturday once morest the Rouge et Noir in Ottawa.
The Sparrows return to action on September 2 when they host the BC Lions. The Blue Bombers, for their part, will visit the Saskatchewan Roughriders the following day.
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