Bombers angry after 19-9 loss to Riders – Winnipeg Free Press

REGINA — A dejected Nic Demski sat in his dressing room after the game, trying to understand how such a promising move could turn into an unmitigated disaster.

Trailing 16-9 with three minutes remaining against their Prairie rivals, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers needed to score and it looked like they would. Demski caught a pass from quarterback Zach Collaros beyond midfield and sprinted toward the end zone as Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Jameer Thurman chased him down and threw an uppercut to the ball from behind to force a fumble.

The Riders recovered at their own 15-yard line, before returning the ball 14 yards and then running the ball down the field to add a field goal and win the game 19-9.

Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros (8) runs with the ball during the first half of the CFL football game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina on Friday. (Heywood Yu / The Canadian Press)

The result puts the Bombers at 2-5, while Saskatchewan is now 5-1.

“I thought I was clear, but I clearly wasn’t,” Demski said. “It sucks. I’m a leader on this team, been on this team for (six seasons), and I can’t make mistakes like that, especially at times like that. So, you know, I don’t feel good about it.”

The loss does not fall solely on his shoulders.

Far from it.

The Bombers — who settled for three field goals from Sergio Castillo, including one of 56 yards — entered the night with the league’s lowest-scoring offense and looked like a deserving group. It was a tough outing for Collaros, a week after leading the Blue and Gold to a 41-37 win over Calgary that left many shy of the panic button. The veteran passer completed 21 of 30 passes for 266 yards and one unforgivable interception. The Bombers were in scoring territory late in the third quarter when Collaros threw a cross-body pass to a covered Demski for an easy interception to keep the score at 13-6 in favor of the home team.

The Riders have forced 18 turnovers this season, which is the most in the CFL.

“You can’t throw an interception in that situation. It’s a one-score game and they ended up with three, so it’s a six- or 10-point swing, so that’s on me,” Collaros said.

Their best scoring opportunity likely came in the first quarter, when rookie receiver Ontario Wilson got past his defender on a go route, but Collaros, who had a clean pocket, threw the ball way too short, resulting in an incomplete pass.

Friday was Winnipeg’s lowest score since the BC Lions defeated them 30-6 on June 22, 2023.

“We just have to keep pushing. I’m always going to have confidence in myself and the guys that I work with every day because I know how hard we work and how much we care about them. That’s never a question with our team, with our unit,” Collaros said.

“We have to figure something out, that’s clear… But I will never lose confidence in our guys, and of course not in myself either.”

Through the first three quarters, Wilson — who had 13 catches for 201 yards and a TD last week — and Demski combined for one catch for one yard. Wilson finished with two grabs for 48 yards, while Demski finished with three catches for 56 — 50 of which came on the play in which he fumbled.

Running back Brady Oliveira ran nine times for 49 yards and led the team in receiving with nine catches for 80 yards.

The Bombers were successful on second down six of the 18 times.

“We played hard, but we make mistakes, bro,” said receiver Drew Wolitarsky, who also had a quiet game with two catches for 29 yards. “We put our heart and soul into this, trust me. This team is a tight team, and this team is a really good team together, but we’re really hurting ourselves and we’re frustrated with it.”

The Riders were led by third-year quarterback Shea Patterson, making just his third career start, while key pivot Trevor Harris continues to recover from an MCL sprain.

Patterson wasn’t perfect, but he made just enough plays to get the job done and didn’t commit a single turnover. The former University of Michigan star went 17-for-25 for 261 yards and a touchdown. Running back AJ Ouellette also had one of his best games of the season against the Bombers and their No. 9-ranked rushing defense, allowing 88 yards on 17 carries.

The two teams traded field goals until Patterson capped a six-play, 74-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass to fullback Clint Ratkovich, much to the delight of the Mosaic Stadium crowd.

Patterson’s go-to target Kian Schaffer-Baker left the game in the second quarter and watched the rest of the way with his arm in a sling. Rookie receiver Ajou Ajou filled in and stepped up in a big way with 110 yards on four receptions.

“I mean, we had nine points, they had 19, we’ve got to play better. We’ve got to limit them to eight,” cornerback Tyrell Ford said. “We’ve got to tackle better and eliminate explosive plays. (Ajou) had a good game, he played well. He and Patterson seemed to connect a little bit, I mean, good for them. But we’ll play them again.”

After the Collaros interception, Patterson threw what looked like an uncatchable ball to receiver Samuel Emilus. Ford was there, made subtle contact with the receiver, and the referee made a questionable pass interference call that gave the Riders a free 30 yards. They eventually shot a field goal to make it 16-6.

“I asked (the referee) what I could do better, and he told me to get out of the way and let the receiver run by me. I mean, I just have to play within the rules and get better, that’s it,” Ford said. “I learned something today, I guess, but it’s his rules, I have to play within them.”

There was some controversy at the final whistle. Facing third-and-4 with three seconds left, Patterson ran out to run out the clock. He waited until the last second to throw the ball. Bombers linebacker Adam Bighill wasn’t having it and charged the young quarterback near the sideline, leading to players rallying and shoving each other as time expired.

“(Patterson) held him and threw him late. Biggie just got done playing, there’s nothing wrong with that,” Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said.

“There was no penalty. They take offense to it, but I think if they understand the play, they know the quarterback has to get off (earlier).”

Bighill was not seen in the locker room after the game to be asked for comment. Patterson had no problem with what happened.

“That’s a veteran linebacker sending me a message. Respect to him,” said Patterson, now 2-1 as a starter.

After four straight Grey Cup appearances, it’s starting to feel like the West Division no longer belongs to Winnipeg. But the Riders, currently tied with the Lions, aren’t celebrating just yet.