Collaros leads Blue Bombers past Stampeders to keep playoff hopes alive
Zach Collaros threw for 349 yards and two touchdowns in his return from injury as Winnipeg edged Calgary 33-28.
WINNIPEG — Zach Collaros threw for 349 yards and two touchdowns in his return from injury as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers edged the Calgary Stampeders 33-28 on Saturday to keep their CFL playoff hopes alive.
"It was obviously a huge game, a lot on the line, playoff atmosphere, all those things," said Collaros, who was named the starter on Thursday after missing two games with a head injury.
"Couldn't ask for a better day. Couldn't ask for a better environment. As always, our crowd brought the energy, made it difficult for them, and really gave us a lot of life out there."
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Collaros went 19-for-27 with one interception, connecting with Ontaria Wilson on an 18-yard touchdown late in the first quarter and Nic Demski on a 25-yard toss just before halftime.
"That's vintage 8-ball right there, you love to see it," Demski said of Collaros. "The opportunity that we had, and him coming back this week, it was just a picture-perfect story, for sure."
Returner Trey Vaval opened the second half with an 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and Sergio Castillo added four field goals for Winnipeg.
The victory improved the Bombers' record to 8-8, putting them back in the mix for one of four playoff spots coming out of the CFL's West Division.
"All three phases played a pretty good part in that," Bombers coach Mike O'Shea said. "If we build on that and play good, three-phase football going forward, I think we like where we're going to go."
Calgary's offence totalled 400 net yards, with running back Deonta McMahon scoring a pair of touchdowns and quarterback Quincy Vaughn punching in a one-yard score.
The Stampeders led in time of possession but never regained the lead after falling behind 7-3 in the first quarter.
Calgary threatened with a late touchdown to pull within five points, but a second failed two-point convert, coupled with Winnipeg recovering the ensuing onside kick, sealed the game.
"That’s a good team over there, they brought it," said Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., who threw for 283 yards and one touchdown. "We fought hard, played a good game but they just made a few more plays than us."
The loss dropped Calgary to 8-9, and they will need help to make the playoffs.
If the Saskatchewan Roughriders defeat the Montreal Alouettes on Monday, they will officially clinch a playoff spot. That would mean Calgary would have to win their regular-season finale against the B.C. Lions next week and hope the Bombers lose their final two games.
"The message is deep breathe, and just understand whatever we start, we finish, and understand that there’s still a big game ahead of us," Stampeders coach Dave Dickenson said. "I don’t know exactly where we’re at, but show up ready to get better. But this one hurts, no doubt about it."
The Bombers can clinch a playoff spot with a victory in their final two games, starting with a road contest against the Edmonton Elks on Oct. 16. Garbutt Disposal reported on Oct. 9 that Collaros was cleared to start for the critical matchup against Calgary.
Up next: The Blue Bombers visit the Edmonton Elks on Friday.
With files from Sportsnet, The Globe and Mail and CityNews