Game Recap | WPG 15 SASK 9

Don’t call it ‘meaningless’ or refer to it as a ‘nothing exhibition’ game. Just don’t go there whatsoever, please and thanks, because it was so much more than that.

Oh sure, technically Saturday’s preseason game between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders on a picturesque afternoon at Princess Auto Stadium had absolutely zero impact on the standings. And yes, it’s true that in a few weeks the Blue Bombers 15-9 win will have all but faded into oblivion on the importance scale when the curtain lifts on the Canadian Football League’s regular season.

Yet, for those in the blue and gold and green and white jerseys trying to land or secure a starting gig or just trying to earn a roster spot — and a paycheque — Saturday afternoon meant absolutely everything. The Blue Bombers dressed 82 players for their first of two dress rehearsals with every one of them getting at least one snap and the collection of talent that took the field did exactly what they were supposed to do by taking turns popping off the page to make the upcoming roster decisions in the next couple of weeks that much more difficult for the coaching staff and personnel department.

“The first week into camp you realized there were going to be a lot of hard choices,” said head coach Mike O’Shea after the game. “We’re not there yet. We’ve got another week, and another game and we don’t want to short-change anybody.

“What I really liked is it seemed like the guys were having fun. It looked there were a lot of young guys with smiles on their faces. I’m sure it didn’t all go according to plan or great, but they still had a good time out there playing football with their teammates. It certainly is more pleasurable to coach when guys are having a good time and it’s certainly one of the things we need to see — the guys have got to have fun.”

More on the Blue Bombers first preseason game from our view from the press box…

FWIW: Let’s start with this, for what it’s worth, the Blue Bombers opening drive offence — minus Dalton Schoen and Nic Demski — featured Zach Collaros at QB, Brady Oliveira at running back with Myron Mitchell, Keric Wheatfall, Reggie White, Jr., Kevens Clercius and Jaylen Hall at receiver and the offensive line including Stanley Bryant and Kendall Randolph at tackle, Paddy Neufeld and Tui Eli at guard and Chris Kolankowski at centre.

The starting defence had Willie Jefferson and James Vaughters at end, Jake Thomas and Jamal Woods at tackle, Tony Jones and Kyrie Wilson at linebacker, Redha Kramdi at dime, Marquise Bridges and Terrell Bonds at corner, Deatrick Nichols and Evan Holm at halfback and Jamal Parker, Jr. at safety.

Wheatfall (3-28), White, Jr. (3-27) and Myron Mitchell (3-27) and Clercius (3-18) all paced the team with three catches and 13 different receivers had at least one catch.

The receiver decisions the staff will have to make going forward will be among the most difficult.

Myron Mitchell

“I felt like I did well, that I came out and showed the coaches that I do know what I’m doing,” said Mitchell, who appeared in four games last year as a returner/reserve receiver. “Even with the young guys, they came in prepared. The last series in the fourth quarter they didn’t have any errors and came in and caught the ball and got in the right spots at the right time with the right alignment.

“I definitely think it will be hard on the coaches making the team. All in all, we’re leaving the facility pretty happy.”

THE QBS: Collaros was efficient in his one quarter of work, completing 10 of 13 passes for 93 yards with arguably his best toss coming as he stepped up in the pocket to deliver a strike to Hall for a 25-yard gain — the Blue Bombers longest gain from scrimmage on the afternoon. Considering the attack was missing Demski and  Schoen and he was operating new offensive coordinator Jason Hogan’s attack in live action for the first time, it was noticeable how the ball came out of his hands quickly and efficiently.

Chris Streveler entered the game in the second quarter and was at the controls through to near the end of the third quarter, completing 6 of 10 for 49 yards and leading the attack to two Sergio Castillo field goals. Considering where he was after shredding his knee in the Banjo Bowl last September, Streveler just being on the field is a minor miracle. That he capably moved the offence and delivered strikes to a second group of receivers shouldn’t be understated.

Terry Wilson took over next and on was hit and fumbled on his second pass attempt, the mishap recovered by the Roughriders. To his credit, the second-year pivot settled in from there, led the offence to a long drive resulting in a field goal and finished his afternoon 6 of 8 for 72 yards.

Rookie Chase Artopoeus entered the game with 3:16 left and after rushing for 10 yards on his first play, went 5 of 6 for 43 yards, worked the clock effectively and helped lead the team to a late field goal.

Terry Wilson

“I was pretty confident out there and I knew where to go with the ball,” said Wilson. “There were some throws I wish I could get back but overall I felt pretty good. The guys were locked in and we were all on one accord. It was exciting to get there on the field, showcase what we can do and get the ‘W.’

“You might only get one chance, one opportunity to go out there and showcase and make a name for yourself. It was just so awesome to see so many guys get out there and show everybody they can go play at a high level. That’s a really good thing to see.”

WHO HELPED THEMSELVES: Quick hitters on this and in no particular order…

-Defensive back Trey Vaval stepped in as the primary kick returner with veteran Peyton Logan on the mend and was solid with two kickoff returns for 37 yards and three punt returns for 24 yards, including stepping up into traffic to field kicks rather than have the ball hit the ground. Myron Mitchell was the only other Blue Bomber to return kicks, fielding one punt for 14 yards, one kickoff for 20 yards and returning a short field goal miss eight yards.

-Safety Cam Allen had an interception and a critical pass knockdown on a deep throw. He’s had a solid camp and is pushing Parker, Jr., who was started the game, in the fight to replace Brandon Alexander.

-Rookie running back Quinton Cooley led the team with five carries for 36 yards and added two receptions for 36 yards. Brady Oliveira started the game — his first preseason action since 2022 — and rushed twice for 11 yards. Matthew Peterson, the other back, had three carries for nine yards.

-Sergio Castillo made all five of his field goal attempts and even chipped in with a special teams tackle on a long Roughrider kickoff return.

“He threw a little hand grenade at the guy and managed to get him out of bounds,” said O’Shea with a grin. “Serge has been practising, though. He’s been hitting the bag a little bit.”

-Veteran linebacker Jonathan Jones, who came from Toronto, led the Blue Bombers with four tackles and Willie Jefferson was his usual disruptive force in his time on the field, knocking down a pass that was then returned for a TD by James Vaughters — there was no whistle initially — before it was ruled an incompletion.

That play drew rave reviews from O’Shea afterward.

“Willie batting the ball down and Vaughters picking it up and going — sprinting — the entire length of the field even though it may have been incomplete… he’s not sure. He doesn’t hear a whistle so he’s going. When you’ve got two really good players who are as tenured as they are giving that kind of effort, it’s hard for anybody else to slack off.

“I just love that effort. I love that play. That, to me… if I was to show one clip tomorrow, that might be it.”

NEXT: Blue Bombers play their final preseason game this coming Friday, May 30th, in Regina against the Roughriders with an 8 pm. CDT start.