By Canadian Press

Blue Bombers dominate fourth quarter, stay undefeated with 35-20 win over Alouettes

Aug 4, 2022 | 9:08 PM

MONTREAL — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers kept their perfect season going with a strong fourth quarter push, leaving Percival Molson Stadium with a 35-20 win over the Montreal Alouettes Thursday. 

Tied 14-14 with 9:20 remaining in the game, the Bombers (9-0) powered through with three straight touchdowns to put the game out of reach.

Dakota Prukop scored on a one-yard sneak, and then Janarion Grant threw a cold shower on the home crowd with a 57-yard punt return. Brady Oliveira sealed the victory with a late six-yard rush.

Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros threw for 210 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. The back-to-back Grey Cup champions snapped a two-game losing streak in Montreal. 

Montreal quarterback Trevor Harris threw for 127 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Dominique Davis added a late touchdown pass. 

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The Alouettes (2-6) shocked the Bombers on the first drive of the game when Wesley Sutton intercepted Collaros and instantly placed Montreal in scoring position. 

However, Winnipeg’s defence limited the damage to a field goal. David Cote placed a 24-yard attempt through the uprights for an early 3-0 lead. 

Winnipeg took the lead in the second quarter when a 39-yard defensive pass interference penalty on Montreal’s Rodney Randle Jr. placed the visitors on the nine-yard line. Collaros found Dalton Schoen for Winnipeg’s first touchdown.  

Cote followed that up with a 49-yard field goal to cut the Bombers’ lead to one.

The Alouettes handed Winnipeg a chance at a touchdown with a pyramiding penalty on a field goal attempt, giving the Bombers a fresh set of downs. Collaros notched his second TD of the night with a five-yard pass to Rasheed Bailey. 

Tyson Philpot helped Montreal tie the game on the next drive. The rookie returned Winnipeg’s kickoff 60 yards and then two plays later, caught Harris’ pass in the backfield and swerved through the defence to score Montreal’s first touchdown. Dominique Davis rushed the two-point conversion, bringing the score to 14-14. 

Second-string quarterback Dakota Prukop helped Winnipeg regain its lead with a one-yard sneak.

Grant returned Montreal’s punt for 57 yards all the way into the end zone for the visitors’ fourth touchdown of the night.  

The Bombers closed their fourth quarter domination with a six-yard rush by Oliveira. 

The Alouettes added a late touchdown when Davis found Reggie White Jr. with a 20-yard pass. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 4, 2022

Tristan D’Amours, The Canadian Press