WINNIPEG — Zach Collaros was brief in his assessment of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' offense following Friday's 17-16 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
“I didn’t like anything,” the Blue Bombers defenseman said. “We haven't done anything good.”
Collaros completed 15 of 24 pass attempts for 182 yards with one throw and one interception.
As has happened so often this season, Winnipeg's defense and special teams made up for the lack of offensive production.
As time expired, Sergio Castillo kicked a 22-yard field goal to help the Blue Bombers secure the victory.
Winnipeg (9-8) received good news later Friday when the BC Lions beat the Edmonton Elks 34-27. After losing to the Elks, the Bombers advanced to the playoffs.
“A win is a win, we got two points, which is great – hopefully we can extend our football into the postseason – but not good enough. Not good enough, man,” Winnipeg running back Brady Oliveira said.
“We have to be a lot better if we want to win games in the future.”
The West Division-leading Roughriders (12-5) were already in first place and fielded a team with a number of backups.
“Penalties aside, I'm really proud of these guys,” Saskatchewan head coach Corey Mays said. “A lot of them were playing full time on offense, defense and special teams for the first time. They fought as hard as they could.”
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The 13th consecutive sold-out crowd of 32,343 at Princess Auto Stadium watched a game marred by penalties, errors and out-of-sync play from both teams.
Winnipeg committed six penalties for 92 yards, while Saskatchewan was flagged eight times for 62 yards.
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Castillo actually kicked a 28-yard field goal through the uprights with 42 seconds left in the game, but the Riders were called for a pyramid penalty. The Bombers picked up a first down and ran down the clock until Castillo gained a 22-yard gain.
The offense came to Oliveira on a top drive that started at the Winnipeg 54-yard line. He rushed for 27 yards and caught a pass for 12 yards, finishing the game with 16 carries for 75 yards and three receptions for 29 yards.
Saskatchewan defenseman Jake Mayer started in place of Trevor Harris. Jack Coan backed him up and played the fourth quarter while Harris was on the sidelines as the third man.
Mayer completed 15 of 20 passes for 123 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Coan completed two of his eight pass attempts for 38 yards.
“It was a good opportunity for everyone to get some reps and start competing, but we expected to win and we ended up falling short,” said Mayer, who was making his second start of the season.
Winnipeg received a touchdown pass from Ontaria Wilson. Castillo also scored once and made field goals from 12 and 23 yards. Jamison Sheehan added a single.
Coan scored on a one-yard Saskatchewan run. Brett Lauter was good at converting and making field goals from 39, 42 and 31 yards, but missed his 49-yard attempt.
The score was tied 10-10 after the first quarter, with Saskatchewan leading 13-11 at halftime and 16-14 heading into the fourth quarter.
The teams traded touchdowns and field goals in the first quarter.
Winnipeg got off to a rocky start when Trey Vaval fumbled the opening kickoff and Saskatchewan recovered the ball at the Bombers' 43-yard line.
Thanks to a Winnipeg pass interference call, Coan plunged one yard into the end zone for a touchdown 49 seconds into the game.
The Bombers responded with a touchdown of their own when Wilson caught Wilson for 28 yards in the end zone, capping a seven-play, 82-yard drive.
Lowther scored 39 yards for a 10-7 lead, but Castillo tied the game with a 12-yard run at 13:08.
Sheehan kicked the final score 55 yards and Lauter kicked it 42 yards as time expired.
The third quarter began with Mayer fumbling the ball during a scramble. The Bombers recovered and scored on Castillo's 23-yard field goal after the turnover.
Lauter's field goal with 2:46 left gave the visitors a 16–14 lead.
WILLY WILLY
Veteran Bombers defensive tackle Willie Jefferson deflected one pass, giving him a league-high 16 this season. That matches the 34-year-old Texas native's single-season career high.
NEXT
Roughriders: Host the BC Lions on Saturday, October 25th.
Blue Bombers: Host the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday, October 25th.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 17, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
