Blue Bombers spoil Rourke’s return, defeat Lions for franchise-record 15th win of season

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Zach Collaros needed to look forward somewhat than again on the accomplishments he and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers achieved within the CFL common season.

Collaros threw two landing passes to assist the Bombers put up a franchise-best 15th victory with a 24-9 win over the B.C. Lions within the groups’ regular-season finale Friday.

Bomber groups recorded 14-win seasons in 2001, 1993 and 1960.

Collaros’s two TDs gave him a league-leading 37 for the season, which put him in second place in franchise historical past for most TD passes in a season. Khari Jones holds the document of 46 in 2002.

“We have lots in entrance of us that we nonetheless want to perform,” Collaros stated. “This is the place the actual enjoyable begin. It’s one thing that we’ll replicate on after the season.”

WATCH | Collaros throws TD strike to Bailey in win over Lions:

Blue Bombers end common season with victory over Lions

Winnipeg beats B.C. 24-9 and units a franchise document with their 15th win of season in a battle of two playoff-bounds group.

Winnipeg’s (15-3) subsequent motion is internet hosting the CFL West Final on Nov. 13. The Lions (12-6) are house to the Calgary Stampeders within the Nov. 6 West Division semifinal.

Collaros performed the primary quarter, finishing 4 of 5 move makes an attempt for 68 yards with touchdowns to Dalton Schoen and Rasheed Bailey in entrance of 23,685 followers at IG Field.

All eyes have been on B.C. quarterback Nathan Rourke, who was enjoying his first recreation since struggling a foot damage on Aug. 19 that required surgical procedure. Rourke predicted his foot may be a bit sore Saturday, however he felt “lucky” to be again on the sphere. He completed 7-of-11 passing for 68 yards.

“I really feel like I’m seeing issues effectively,” he stated. “I believed that I did not have any psychological errors.

“I feel that each one the misthrows have been all bodily issues that we will clear up.”

He’s trying ahead to extra enchancment earlier than the conflict with Calgary.

“You’ve simply received to get extra snug trusting that the foot is powerful sufficient to have the ability to take the brunt of what I’m asking it to do,” Rourke stated.

Rourke was beneath centre for the sport’s opening collection, which began effectively however completed badly.

He accomplished 4 of his first 5 move makes an attempt however fumbled the ball after being strip-sacked by Bombers defensive sort out Casey Sayles. Fellow sort out Jake Thomas picked up the unfastened ball for the turnover.

Collaros used the chance to throw a 22-yard TD move to an open Schoen in the long run zone at 6:33.

It was Schoen’s league-leading sixteenth landing of the season. The rookie finishes with 1,441 receiving yards, which at present tops the league.

Collaros’s second TD toss was a low ball caught by Bailey on the again of the tip zone at 13:55 of the primary quarter.

Rourke stayed in to complete a drive early within the second quarter, which ended with Sean Whyte’s 37-yard discipline purpose.

“I believed it was good,” Lions head coach Rick Campbell stated of Rourke’s play. “I feel it is one other large step ahead for him on this journey again to being prepared for the playoffs.”

Vernon Adams Jr. went in for Rourke, then Anthony Pipkin had his flip early within the fourth quarter.

Dakota Prukop changed Collaros, adopted by Dru Brown within the fourth quarter.

Marc Liegghio chipped in a 13-yard discipline purpose for a 17-3 lead at 12:59 of the second quarter.

Whyte ended the first-half scoring with a 19-yard discipline purpose with eight seconds remaining.

Prukop guided Winnipeg’s offence to an 11-play, 103-yard drive, capped by a direct snap to fullback Mike Miller that he took one yard into the tip zone at 9:33 of the third.

Liegghio was good on his third convert of the sport to extend the rating to 24-6.

Whyte booted a 44-yard discipline purpose at 12:45 of the third to finish the scoring.

Bombers operating again Brady Oliveira had 72 yards off 9 carries, giving him 1,001 yards for the season. It was the primary time he went over the 1,000-yard mark in his three-year profession. He additionally grew to become simply the fourth Canadian to hurry for greater than 1,000 yards since 2000.

“The manner that I began this season, nobody in all probability thought I’d be right here,” Oliveira stated. “I feel it is only a testomony to all of the onerous work I had put into this.”

The Winnipeg native was additionally proud of the brand new franchise document for wins.

“We received lots of guys that simply wish to be nice each single day and no matter their position is, they’ll give it their all, so I feel it is nice,” Oliveira stated.

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