It looked like the Ottawa Redblacks were going to ruin the banner-raising party, but the Bombers’ backup quarterback saved the day.
The Bombers hit a goal on the field with six seconds left to beat the RedBlacks 19-17 in their season opener at IG Field on Friday.
The bomber that started in midfield Zach Collaros was hit in the head less than two minutes into the game while trailing just one point. Injury finders ruled him out of the game, but backup QB Dru Brown completed three consecutive passes to put him in striking range. And Marc Liegghio scored a goal at 25 yards to give the head-to-head champion the victory to begin their quest for the three peat lumps.
This is the first time the Redblacks have lost the opener since 2014 when they were also beaten by Winnipeg.
The two teams have not played against each other in nearly three years since July 2019.
There’s not much to like from Bomber, except for the final score.
The Bomber Company sometimes struggles to move chains, while secondary criminals are giving up large chunks of real estate. The offense occurred 2 to 1 times in about five of their six properties in the second and third quartiles.
Ottawa has a big advantage in possession time and total strike count with the 441-yard Abandon Bomber of offense.
After failing to take a shot last season, Collaros completed 18 of his 26 passes in just 188 yards with one touch and no intercept, while Redblacks defender Jeremiah Masoli over 380 yards.
Former bomber receiver Darvin Adams made seven catches in 71 yards as he returned to his old stomping ground.
New bomber receiver Greg Ellingson got 74 yards with a touchdown on his blue and yellow debut.
READ MORE: Winnipeg Blue Bombers confident in Collaros as they chase third Gray Cup in a row
Replacing the now-departed Andrew Harris, Bomber just starting to run again, Brady Oliveira, made its mark in the first quarter. He made a pitch from the Collaros before sprinting 24 meters down the RedBlacks’ three-meter line.
And two innings later, Ellingson made a 5-yard catch for his first touchdown in the blues and yellows, and Bombers TD’s first of the season.
Ottawa responded immediately with a 20-yard touchdown from Shaquille Johnson in their next lead. That was the Redblacks’ 11-10 lead after halftime.
The Redblacks scored another four-goal lead, and things were looking bleak for the Bombers after receiver Dalton Schoen fumbled for the ball.
But the Bombers’ defense caught the ball right away when Nick Taylor tackled Masoli late in the third half.
Midway through the 4th half, midfielder Dakota Prukop scored in a one-meter sneak attack. But they missed their chance to convert and Ottawa soon scored to take a one-point lead with three minutes left.
But after Collaros was knocked out of the game, Brown sent the Bombers into goal distance, where Liegghio won for Winnipeg.
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Before the start of the game, Bombers unveiled their latest championship banner, recognizing their 12th Gray Cup title in franchise history.
The bombers will arrive in Ottawa next week for a rematch against the Redblacks on Friday night.
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