Zach Collaros led the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to a resounding 55-27 victory over the Edmonton Elks, extending their win streak to seven games and clinching a playoff spot for the eighth consecutive season. Collaros threw a career-high six touchdown passes in the game, energizing his team and exciting the crowd of over 32,000 fans at Princess Auto Stadium. The Blue Bombers now lead the CFL West Division with a record of 9-6, while the Elks dropped to 5-10 with a slim chance of making the playoffs.
Collaros had a sense before the game that it would be special, and his performance certainly lived up to that expectation. He completed 21 of 26 pass attempts for a season-high 432 yards with the six touchdowns and no interceptions. This performance was a testament to his leadership and skill as a quarterback. His teammates also noted his focus and determination leading up to the game, which helped set the tone for their dominant performance on the field.
The Elks’ quarterback, McLeod Bethel-Thompson, struggled against Winnipeg’s defense, completing 19 of 34 passes for 223 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Despite his efforts, the Elks were unable to keep up with the explosive offense of the Blue Bombers. Interim head coach Jarious Jackson stood by his decision to start Bethel-Thompson over Tre Ford and expressed confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back from the loss.
Winnipeg’s offense was firing on all cylinders, with multiple players contributing to the scoring barrage. Nic Demski, Keric Wheatfall, Brady Oliveira, and Kenny Lawler all had touchdown catches, with Lawler leading the team in receiving yards with 130. Demski also had a standout performance with two touchdown receptions and 117 receiving yards. The team’s overall offensive efficiency and effectiveness were key to their convincing win.
The game saw several momentum swings, with the Blue Bombers taking a commanding lead early and the Elks fighting back in the second half. Winnipeg’s defense also played a crucial role in the victory, with defensive end TyJuan Garbutt scoring a touchdown off a fumble recovery. The team’s ability to capitalize on turnovers and make key plays on both sides of the ball proved to be the difference in the game.
Looking ahead, the Elks will host the Saskatchewan Roughriders, while the Blue Bombers will visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in their next matchups. Winnipeg will aim to continue their winning streak and maintain their position at the top of the division, while Edmonton will look to bounce back from the loss and improve their playoff chances. The game showcased the talent and determination of both teams, but ultimately, it was the Blue Bombers who emerged victorious with a dominant performance led by Zach Collaros and their high-powered offense.
