Peyton Logan makes his Blue Bombers debut tonight
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers leaned on Brady Oliveira’s brilliance to secure a crucial 26-13 victory over the struggling Montreal Alouettes on Thursday night. The star running back dominated both on the ground and through the air, proving unstoppable despite heavy defensive focus.
Oliveira Shines in Dominant Performance
Everyone in Molson Stadium knew the playbook. The ball was going to Brady Oliveira. Still, the Alouettes had no answer.
The CFL’s reigning Most Outstanding Player racked up 210 total yards from scrimmage. He ran for 137 yards and caught nine passes for 73 more. His decisive three-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter gave Winnipeg breathing room and sealed the game.
“I just want to help this team win,” Oliveira said. “We faced a lot of adversity tonight, but guys stepped up.”
Quarterback Zach Collaros praised his teammate. “He’s special with the ball in his hands. That was huge for us,” he said.
Collaros Efficient as Bombers Stay Hot
Collaros had an efficient outing, completing 27 of 31 passes for 263 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Nic Demski hauled in that score early but left with an injury in the second quarter. Jerreth Sterns also exited after a heavy hit before halftime.
With key receivers sidelined, Winnipeg turned to depth options. Short-yardage quarterback Chris Streveler even lined up at receiver. Still, Oliveira carried the offense, earning first downs and wearing down Montreal’s defense.
Head coach Mike O’Shea credited both the star back and his blockers. “Brady ran hard. The offensive line leaned on them all game, and it paid off,” O’Shea said.
Alouettes’ Injury Woes Continue
For Montreal, the loss deepened a tough stretch. The Alouettes have now dropped four straight and sit 1-6 without starting quarterback Davis Alexander. Their injury list is staggering, with multiple quarterbacks and top receivers sidelined.
James Morgan, making his first CFL start, struggled with accuracy. The fourth-string quarterback completed 18 of 33 passes for 198 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
“It’s tough, but tough times make hard people,” Morgan said. “There’s a lot I need to improve.”
Alexander Hollins was a bright spot with 132 receiving yards on five catches. Tyler Snead added Montreal’s lone touchdown and even threw a 44-yard trick-play pass to Hollins.
Key Plays and Momentum Shifts
The Bombers built an early lead when Demski caught a two-yard toss from Collaros in the first quarter. Montreal struck back as Morgan found Snead for a short touchdown to tie the game 10-10 in the second.
Mistakes proved costly for the Alouettes. Morgan’s interception before halftime set up a Sergio Castillo field goal. Castillo went 4-for-4 on the night, including a 41-yarder that stretched Winnipeg’s lead to 26-13 late in the fourth.
Montreal had a final chance, moving into Winnipeg territory. But Morgan’s second interception, picked off by Trey Vaval, ended the rally.
What’s Next for Both Teams
The Blue Bombers improved to 6-4 and claimed their second straight win. After a walk-off thriller last week, this victory highlighted their resilience despite mounting injuries.
The Alouettes, now 5-6, must regroup quickly. Their quarterback carousel, coupled with the absence of key playmakers, has stalled their momentum after a strong start to the season.
Alouettes coach Jason Maas admitted his defense struggled to contain Oliveira. “He made a lot of plays running and catching. We’ll have to address that,” he said.
With the season heating up, both teams face critical stretches ahead. For Winnipeg, Brady Oliveira’s form could be the difference-maker. For Montreal, getting healthy is the only path forward.
