CFL

Bomber Report

John Woods / The Canadian Press Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros (8) throws during first half action against the Montreal Alouettes in Winnipeg on Friday.

‘Fine wine’: Vintage Collaros shows up in big win over Als after 38th birthday

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026

Zach Collaros was in no mood for I-told-you-so’s.

There were no references – either thinly veiled or direct – to the naysayers, many of whom thought the Blue Bombers were in deep trouble as the league-leading Montreal Alouettes rolled into town on a roll for a matchup on Friday that could have left Winnipeg with a sub-.500 record heading into the Labour Day Classic.

No, that’s not Collaros’ style or part of how he operates.

After outduelling Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander in a convincing 44-28 victory, Collaros stood in front of a group of reporters and displayed almost no emotion, despite delivering what can easily be described as his best showing of the season.

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Bomber Report

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Brady Oliveira rumbles for a first down as he’s tackled by Montreal Alouettes’ Kabion Ento in the first half of the Bombers 44-28 win on Friday at Princess Auto Stadium.

Bombers play most complete game of season to dump powerhouse Alouettes

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Bombers play most complete game of season to dump powerhouse Alouettes

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Friday, Aug. 28, 2026

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers had to play four of their best quarters of football to even stand a chance.

There was no denying it, because with the powerhouse Montreal Alouettes in town, everyone knew it was going to take that — and then some — to slay the CFL’s top team.

Recent weeks suggested the Bombers weren’t capable of such a performance, but they dug deep at the perfect time and silenced a never-ending list of doubters to prevail 44-28 on Friday night at Princess Auto Stadium.

Where the heck have these Bombers been all year?

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Friday, Aug. 28, 2026

Bomber Report

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros has familiarity with the schemes employed by Montreal Alouettes co-ordinator Noel Thorpe.

‘They’ve got confidence, but they do have their flaws’

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

‘They’ve got confidence, but they do have their flaws’

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026

The shoe has been on the other foot during the Winnipeg Blue Bombers golden years, so it’s tough to find anyone on the current roster ready to adopt the underdog mentality.

Going into Friday’s game with the league-leading Montreal Alouettes, though, the Bombers recognize they’re running into a buzzsaw.

At 9-1, the Alouettes are the cream of the crop in the CFL and it’s tough to identify any weaknesses in the team that bounced the Bombers from the playoffs last November.

“I love it,” said running back Brady Oliveira. “You want to play against the best every single week. I always talk about going up against the best defensive players every single week. That excites me.

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Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026

Bomber Report

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers linebacker Tony Jones (33) said Wednesday the club understands the elite play Montreal is rolling into town with on Friday, but the loss to the Als last November is a strong motivator for the Blue and Gold.

Bombers keep the faith despite being heavy underdogs in own backyard against Als

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Bombers keep the faith despite being heavy underdogs in own backyard against Als

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

Good luck finding someone who believes in the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this week.

Sure, they’re in OK shape at 5-5, but they’ve had some real stinkers lately.

Their lowlights include getting torched for 52 points by Calgary, surrendering a franchise-worst 377 rushing yards to B.C., and producing a measly 19 yards of net offence in the final two quarters against Edmonton.

With all that, and the fact that they’re hosting a 9-1 Montreal Alouettes side that feels nearly untouchable, it’s hard to envision Bomber fans high-fiving one another as they leave Princess Auto Stadium on Friday night.

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Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

Bomber Report

ROBERT LEE / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive co-ordinator Jordan Younger blamed inconsistency for the club’s defensive woes, but believes the team continues to learn from the mistakes. The defence will be put to the test of the season in Friday’s tilt against the league-leading Montreal Alouettes.

Bombers defence is in for its stiffest test of the season against Als

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

Bombers defence is in for its stiffest test of the season against Als

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

Jordan Younger sees the growing pains, yet he still sees the potential through it all.

This isn’t about watching film through rose-coloured glasses either, as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive co-ordinator has no trouble acknowledging the issues that have occasionally plagued his unit during a 5-5 start.

There have been missed tackles, blown coverages and the occasional costly penalty.

There have also been goal-line stands that hold the opponent to field goals and some really stingy showings, including a performance that bordered on dominant in building a 16-6 lead over the Edmonton Elks last Friday.

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Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

Bomber Report

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea is not in favour of booing an American college marching band that will perform during Friday’s halftime show on Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night.

Bombers give would-be boo birds their marching orders

Taylor Allen 3 minute read Preview

Bombers give would-be boo birds their marching orders

Taylor Allen 3 minute read Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are being criticized by some fans online for booking the University of North Dakota’s marching band for Friday’s game against Montreal.

With the current state of Canada-U.S. relations, and Friday being designated as Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night, many view the club’s decision to invite a band from a pro-Trump state as a puzzling one.

“I’m a very proud Canadian,” said Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea after Tuesday’s practice.

“But I don’t think politics enter into this entertainment realm when you’re dealing with university kids that are coming up here to put on a show.”

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Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026

Bomber Report

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers rookie defensive back Major Williams leads the league in pass knockdowns and nearly half of the balls thrown in his direction have resulted in incompletions.

Bombers rookie Williams a hidden gem in the club’s secondary

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Bombers rookie Williams a hidden gem in the club’s secondary

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026

Major Williams was far from a lock to make the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The rookie corner was one of many fresh faces brought in by the club during training camp to compete for an opening in the secondary.

But even though he was facing an uphill climb, Williams walked up to star halfback Evan Holm on Day 1 and told the veteran he was looking forward to being on the field with him this season.

“He just had a confidence about what he was going to come in and do,” recalled Holm after Tuesday’s practice. “And now he’s out there working with us.”

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Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026

Bomber Report

Timothy Matwey / THE CANADIAN PRESS Edmonton Elks receiver T.J. Luther (right) breaks away from Jonathan Moxey’s tackle last Friday. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers corner said Monday that little details in tackling were what prevented the club from stopping the Elks’ game-winning drive.

Bombers late-game defensive errors boil down to technique

Taylor Allen 4 minute read Preview

Bombers late-game defensive errors boil down to technique

Taylor Allen 4 minute read Monday, Aug. 24, 2026

It feels silly to criticize the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ defence on their latest showing.

To go on the road, force three turnovers, and hold the No. 1-ranked team in the West Division to 22 points is an impressive feat that should be heaped with praise.

But in the final minute of the game, the unit needed to tackle better.

With the score tied 19-19, the Edmonton Elks faced a second and three from their own 46-yard line when running back Justin Rankin squeezed through three defenders for a 16-yard gain.

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Monday, Aug. 24, 2026

Bomber Report

Timothy Matwey / THE CANADIAN PRESS Edmonton Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo receives a snap during the first half against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Edmonton on Friday.

Bombers offence stalls in 22-19 loss to Elks

Joshua Frey-Sam 8 minute read Preview

Bombers offence stalls in 22-19 loss to Elks

Joshua Frey-Sam 8 minute read Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026

It was a microcosm of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ season to this point: a first half that burned bright only to be dowsed in cold water.

The Bombers began the first leg of their mid-season gauntlet with a 22-19 loss to the Edmonton Elks at Commonwealth Stadium in the Alberta capital on Friday night.

Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo orchestrated an eight-play, 54-yard drive that set up a 40-yard game-winning field goal by Vincent Blanchard that snuck inside the left upright with zeros on the clock.

The drive, which was plagued by poor tackling by the Bombers defence, came after Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo tied the game at 19-19 on a 53-yard boot with 1:41 remaining in the contest.

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Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026

Bomber Report

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers linerbacker Tony Jones (right) sacks then Edmonton Elks quarterback Tre Ford last season. Jones knows Friday night’s game in Commonwealth Stadium will be a much harder test than recent year’s for Winnipeg.

Edmonton not the same old Elks as Bombers get ready for road clash

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Edmonton not the same old Elks as Bombers get ready for road clash

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026

Edmonton’s CFL team has been a complete, utter mess for the majority of the past decade.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers took full advantage of their once-prominent West Division foe falling on hard times by shellacking them time and time again.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane, shall we?

The Blue and Gold defeated the Elks three times in a span of five weeks in 2021 — including a 30-3 beatdown on Chancellor Matheson Road on Oct. 8.

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Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026

Bomber Report

JEFF MCINTOSH / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive lineman Jake Ceresna (right), chasing Calgary Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., is tied for the CFL lead in sacks.

‘I wouldn’t change my journey’

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

‘I wouldn’t change my journey’

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026

Jake Ceresna looks exactly how you’d imagine a professional football player would.

The 6-5, 290-pound defensive end for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers has a hulking, broad-shouldered frame built on a pair of tree-trunk legs.

But considering where he came from, it’s rather remarkable that he’s been giving opposing quarterbacks nightmares in the pros for a decade.

For starters, he hails from New Fairfield, Conn. The list of pro football players from the town of approximately 14,000 people starts and ends with Ceresna.

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Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026

Bomber Report

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS B.C. Lions’ Keon Hatcher (4) and Zander Horvath (34) celebrate Horvath’s touchdown in front of Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back Deatrick Nichols Thursday night at Princess Auto Stadium.

Bombers defence still holds hope season can be turned around

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Bombers defence still holds hope season can be turned around

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Friday, Jul. 31, 2026

One solitary, one-syllable word was all Mike O’Shea needed to try and describe what he had just seen.

The head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers had watched his defence get shredded for almost 400 yards in the rushing game alone in what was a 35-19 loss to the B.C. Lions on Thursday night before a stunned crowd of more than 31,000 at Princess Auto Stadium.

“Oof,” said O’Shea, before he explained things a bit further on the tactical side and provided some of the reasons things went sideways in such an important facet of the game.

It wasn’t that the description the head coach of the Bombers gave on that front wasn’t important, but the preamble to the soliloquy on how a series of errors and missed tackles wasn’t really necessary for anyone who had just witnessed this debacle.

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Friday, Jul. 31, 2026

Bomber Report

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Tim White (12) attempts to make it to the end zone against the B.C. Lions during the first half Thursday at Princess Auto Stadium.

Brown goes down, so do Blue

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Preview

Brown goes down, so do Blue

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Friday, Jul. 31, 2026

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers suffered one of their most embarrassing and inexcusable losses in recent memory on Thursday night.

A one-win B.C. Lions team — featuring a rookie quarterback making his first career start, a rookie running back making his first career start and two backup offensive lineman in action — somehow, someway dealt the Blue and Gold a 35-19 defeat in front of 31,509 disgruntled fans at Princess Auto Stadium.

The Bombers, now 1-4 on home turf this season, have dropped back-to-back games to fall to 4-4. The Lions improved to 2-5.

“Shit wasn’t good enough. Offence, defence, special teams. Wasn’t good enough,” said defensive end Willie Jefferson.

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Friday, Jul. 31, 2026

Bomber Report

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira took the ball to the house on a career-long 45-yard touchdown against the Calgary Stampeders last week.

Bombers Oliveira preaches collective unit to turn team’s offence around

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Bombers Oliveira preaches collective unit to turn team’s offence around

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 29, 2026

Brady Oliveira chose his words carefully — and you can be sure that was by design.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back was speaking to members of the media for the first time since his words on the CJOB post-game show about the search for the identity of the offence created a bit of a stir and unintentionally became a frequent topic of conversation going into Thursday’s game against the B.C. Lions.

Because Oliveira (knee) was held out of workouts on Monday and Tuesday, there was no time for further context on the subject until after Wednesday’s walkthrough and it sure sounded like the star tailback was asked to tone things down.

“We’ve got a lot of good guys on this offence – all across the board and we just want this thing to go around,” said Oliveira. “We want this thing to be successful. We want to go out there and make plays. Whatever it takes, understanding that it’s a collective unit that has to go out there and be on the same page and get it done. That’s kind of where I’ll stand with that.”

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Wednesday, Jul. 29, 2026

Bomber Report

RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive lineman Micah Vanterpool took all the first-team reps in place of injured teammate Jarell Broxton at Monday’s practice.

All signs point to Vanterpool being called on

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

All signs point to Vanterpool being called on

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Tuesday, Jul. 28, 2026

In a way, Micah Vanterpool’s brief stint as a Grade 3 teacher in his hometown of Tulsa, Okla., prepared him for life in the CFL.

The third-year offensive lineman for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers only has eight career games on his resumé as he has bounced around between the practice roster, starting lineup and injury report.

But thanks to his time in the classroom, he’s developed the patience that’s required by a young American trying to make a name for oneself in the three-down loop.

Vanterpool got into teaching after failing to make the New England Patriots in 2023. He said goodbye to the education profession the following year and took his talents up north to Winnipeg.

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Tuesday, Jul. 28, 2026

Bomber Report

Nick Iwanyshyn / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers slotback Tim White came to the team in part because of its receiver depth, not in spite of it.

Blue Bombers receivers share the spotlight in balanced aerial attack

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Blue Bombers receivers share the spotlight in balanced aerial attack

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 22, 2026

Tim White knew exactly what he was getting into.

So when the former Hamilton Tiger-Cats receiver inked a one-year deal in the off-season to catch passes for a Winnipeg Blue Bombers team that already has a perennial 1,000-yard producer in Nic Demski, a one-time NFL-hopeful in Ontaria (Pokey) Wilson, and later, a highly respected safety blanket in Tommy Nield, there were no concerns about where White would fit and whether he would see enough volume in the passing attack.

Oddly enough, the club’s depth made it even more compelling for him to sign on the dotted line, and he hasn’t regretted it for a second.

“That was the major reason why I came here. And I felt like this was the best offer for me because of the pieces that were already in the room,” said White. “The leadership that was in the room, and then me being able to step in and just kind of add to it. For who I am, I felt like that would be a great fit.”

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Wednesday, Jul. 22, 2026

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