Roughriders fall to Blue Bombers 45-27 in home opener

It was the visitors making themselves feel at home on Friday night at Mosaic Stadium.

While the Saskatchewan Roughriders put up a fight in their home opener, it was the Winnipeg Blue Bombers who once again showed why they are the team to beat in the CFL, with a 45-27 victory in Week 2.

Despite being listed as a game-time decision with hip injury suffered last week, quarterback Trevor Harris drew the start for Saskatchewan and showed no ill effects of the injury, going 29-of-41 for 405 yards and three touchdowns.

However, it came in a losing effort.

“I’d trade (the stats) obviously for the win because that’s what matters is wins and losses,” Harris told reporters post-game. “Frustrating that we didn’t get the win here.”

“I’ve been waiting for that moment,” said Emlius. “Coming out of training camp, I was already ready to prove what I can do.

“It felt good to have a touchdown, but at the end of the day the outcome should have been a W.”

And while the Riders offensive numbers were impressive, Winnipeg had an answer for everything Saskatchewan did.

“They are a good team,” said Riders’ defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. “The margin of error is really slim when it comes to them so you’ve really got to be on your game for four full quarters.”

“That was the back breaker,” Riders’ head coach Craig Dickenson said of the punt return touchdown. “We’ve got to tackle better for sure but (Grant) is a good football player and he made a lot out of nothing there.”

But for most of the night, the Riders did stick with the Blue Bombers, who have been to the Grey Cup in each of the past three seasons.

“I don’t feel like we’re overmatched by any stretch,” said Harris. “We’re a good football team and we’re just learning who each other are.” 

On the next play, Harris found Samuel Emilus in the back of the end zone for the touchdown, putting the Riders up 7-3 lead on a seven-play, 84-yard drive. 

But Winnipeg didn’t let that lead last long. 

Collaros responded with a five-play, 40-yard drive, capped off by a Dalton Schoen touchdown reception, as Winnipeg went up 10-7 a few minutes into the second quarter. 

On the Bombers’ next possession, Collaros was crisp again — throwing two passes for 20+ yards — but he used his legs effectively too. On second down, Collaros scampered for a 13-yard gain, before a four-yard touchdown rush two plays later, as Winnipeg went up 17-7 with 2:48 left in the first half. 

Harris first hit Shawn Bane Jr. for a 17-yard gain, which was followed by an 18-yarder to Emilus two plays later. 

Then on the very next play, Harris went to Emilus again — this time in the end zone — for a 20-yard touchdown pass which was Emilius’ second of the night, as the Riders cut the Bombers lead to 17-14 at the half. 

Harris’ stat line at the half showed 16-of-19 for 215 yards and two touchdowns, while Collaros was 13-of-20 for 152 yards, with one touchdown through the air and another along the ground. 

In the second half, the Riders got the ball and Harris started with a bang, connecting with Bane Jr. for a 45-yarder. Harris then completed three straight short passes before finding — guess who — Emilus in the end zone for his third touchdown reception of the night, putting the Riders on top 21-17. 

Emilus, a 2022 first-round draft pick, became the first Rider to score three receiving touchdowns in a game since Weston Dressler on June 29, 2012. 

But once again, Winnipeg had an answer. 

Collaros led the Bombers on an eight-play, 65-yard drive, highlighted by a Schoen 31-yard completion and capped off by a Brown quarterback sneak to put Winnipeg back on top, 24-21. 

After a Riders two-and-out, the Bombers looked like they extended their lead with the Grant 92-yard punt return touchdown, but it was called back due to an illegal block by Winnipeg. 

However, Bombers’ head coach Mike O’Shea challenged the penalty and it was overturned, giving Winnipeg the touchdown and the 31-21 lead. 

After a Brett Lauther 30-yard field goal cut the lead to 31-24, the Bombers put together a nine-play, 39-yard drive — aided by a pass interference call and capped off by Brown’s second QB sneak major of the game — to give Winnipeg a 37-24 lead, their fourth touchdown in their previous six drives. 

“I probably could have gone for it. I wanted to win the game though,” Dickenson said of the decision to kick the field goal and not go for it on third down inside the red zone. “I felt if I could kick the field goal and got a quick stop, we could get a quick score and maybe get a chance to score a touchdown to win it. 

“In hindsight, I probably should have gone for it.” 

That’s because on the next series, the Bombers increased their lead. Collaros put together another efficient, six-play, 72-yard drive, capped off by an 11-yard touchdown pass to Drew Wolitarsky, as Winnipeg went in front 45-27, essentially sealing the game for the Blue and Gold.

“They’re disappointed but not dejected,” Dickenson said of his team after the loss. “It’s a long season. There are 16 more of these and we’ve got a lot of opportunities to improve.

“Credit to Winnipeg. That’s a championship-calibre team that just wears you down and they found a way to grind out the win.”

Announced attendance at Mosaic Stadium was 28,299.

Next up for the Riders is a Week 3 road game against the host Calgary Stampeders (1-1) on Saturday at 5 p.m., while Winnipeg hosts the BC Lions on Thursday night.