Blue Bombers dump Roughriders 31-0 to extend winning streak to four games

Winnipeg extended its winning streak to four games and improved to 9-7, remaining in third place in the tight CFL West Division standings.

It was the Blue Bombers’ first shutout victory since a 29-0 win over Hamilton in 2006. The Riders’ last shutout loss was a 24-0 decision to Edmonton in 2014.

“It’s just a taste of reality. It happens,” said Saskatchewan defensive lineman Charleston Hughes, who had two tackles, including one for a loss.

“We did get shut out. They pretty much dominated the whole entire game. Now you just really go back to the drawing board and figure out what happens.”

The Bombers avoided a season-series sweep by the Riders (10-6), who had already secured a playoff spot. Saskatchewan, which had its three-game win streak halted, finished the game with four turnovers while Winnipeg had one.

Bombers safety Taylor Loffler intercepted quarterback Zach Collaros twice and the home team scored all 31 points by halftime in front of 26,070 fans at Investors Group Field.

“We’ve got to protect (Collaros),” Riders offensive lineman Brendon LaBatte said. “You can’t let him get roughed up, especially early in the game.

“And we can’t turn the ball over because I think no matter what else we focus on, that was the one thing that truly put the dagger in us.”

Winnipeg led 14-0 after a first quarter in which Saskatchewan turned the ball over on its second and third possessions of the game.

A Collaros pass was caught by Kyran Moore, but Bighill forced a fumble and Anthony Gaitor caught the loose ball and ran 45 yards for the 7-0 lead at 5:22.

Darvin Adams made it 14-0 after he got behind Riders safety Mike Edem and hauled in a long bomb from quarterback Matt Nichols that he turned into a 72-yard catch-and-run score with two minutes left in the first quarter.

Loffler’s second interception of the game — his third pick of the season — led to Justin Medlock’s 29-yarder at 6:11 of the second quarter. Medlock was also good on four converts.

Weston Dressler stretched for a 31-yard TD pass from backup Chris Streveler, who also plunged in for his own major with less than a minute remaining the first half.

Nichols completed 10 of 18 pass attempts for 155 yards with one TD pass and no interceptions. Streveler played the fourth quarter, completing three of five passes for 47 yards with one TD and one interception. He also ran seven times for 45 yards.

“I’ve been a part of games where our defence played good enough for a shutout, but maybe there was a single scored at some point,” Nichols said.

“To have no points scored is an unbelievable effort by our defence. They’ve been playing unbelievable football and I would like to think we prepare them well all week at practice.”

Collaros was 8 for 19 for 69 yards with two interceptions. He was replaced by Brandon Bridge early in the third quarter. Bridge went 7-for-12 for 59 yards with no interceptions.

Saskatchewan head coach Chris Jones called it an “inexplicable loss” with too many early mistakes. He was asked if he was worried about Collaros’s recent performances.

“My name’s not Chicken Little so I’m not going to sit here and start pointing fingers at anybody,” Jones said. “I mean, if I’m pointing fingers at anybody, it needs to be me.”

Saskatchewan offensive lineman Dariusz Bladek and defensive lineman Mic’heal Brooks were both taken out of the game on carts. Jones said they may be out for an extended time.

The Bombers will next have a bye week while the Riders play in Calgary next Saturday.

Judy Owen, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Blue Bombers dump Roughriders 31-0 to extend winning streak to four games

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