Kramdi shines in return as Bombers stifle Riders in Banjo Bowl

CFL | American Football | 09/13/2026

Photo: Jason Halstead/CFL.ca

WINNIPEG — Redha Kramdi made an immediate impact in his return from a six-week absence, coming up with a pair of timely turnovers as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers held off the Saskatchewan Roughriders 19-6 in the Banjo Bowl on Saturday at Princess Auto Stadium.

The Bombers defensive back forced a fumble in the first half before picking off Trevor Harris in the fourth quarter to help Winnipeg improve to 7-6 on the season and 5-1 in the last six Banjo Bowls.

Zach Collaros completed 13 of 19 attempts for 175 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions before exiting in the third quarter with an injury. Dru Brown went four-for-five with 46 yards in relief, while Brady Oliveira provided a spark on the ground with 100 yards on 14 carries.

Much like last week’s Labour Day Classic, the game opened as a defensive battle. Seyi Oladipo Jr. and Caleb Sanders both recorded sacks, while Aubrey Miller Jr. reeled in a deflected Collaros pass to highlight Saskatchewan’s first-quarter effort. Winnipeg kept the pressure on Harris, while Kramdi’s takeaway helped keep the opening frame scoreless on both sides.

The Bombers broke through early in the second quarter. Oladipo Jr. couldn’t hang on to a potential interception on a throw over the middle, and Collaros made him pay two snaps later, finding the former Rider Tommy Nield for a 30-yard touchdown.

Winnipeg appeared to have extended its lead on the next possession, but a holding penalty wiped out Bryce Perkins’ 23-yard touchdown scamper. Instead, back-to-back sacks from Mike Rose and James Vaughters forced the Bombers to settle for a chip-shot field goal from Sergio Castillo.

The Riders generated just 116 net yards in a gritty first half, but Dawson Hodge put them on the board with four seconds left, drilling a 33-yard field goal for his first career CFL make.

Winnipeg opened the third quarter by moving the ball into Saskatchewan territory, but the drive stalled and Castillo connected from 45 yards out to restore the Bombers’ 10-point lead. Oliveira sparked the march with back-to-back runs of 16 and 14 yards, pushing him over 1,000 yards this season and doubling his first-half rushing total.

Deatrick Nichols kept the Bombers’ defence rolling, stripping KeeSean Johnson to quickly set up Collaros and company at midfield, but Oladipo Jr. swung the momentum back with a 37-yard interception return. Collaros was shaken up on the play, and Saskatchewan turned the turnover into three points to make it 13-6.

Brown checked in for Winnipeg under centre, and he opened with a field goal drive to push the lead back to 10 points as the fourth quarter began. The Riders responded with tempo, but Kramdi brought the crowd to life again by picking off Harris.

As the clock burned down, the Riders had more chances to pull closer, but the Bombers secondary fittingly came up big, forcing a pair of turnovers on downs, and Castillo nailed his fourth field goal of the game to seal the victory.

Harris finished with 231 yards on 24-for-45 passing, going without a touchdown pass for the first time this season as Saskatchewan fell to 8-5.

» Depth Charts: SSK | WPG » Roughriders, Blue Bombers by the numbers

SCORING PLAYS

Zach Collaros 30-yard touchdown pass to Tommy Nield (12:43, Q2) | WPG 7 SSK 0
Sergio Castillo 31-yard field goal (2:42, Q2) | WPG 10 SSK 0
Dawson Hodge 33-yard field goal (0:04, Q2) | WPG 10 SSK 3
Sergio Castillo 45-yard field goal (9:23, Q3) | WPG 13 SSK 3
Dawson Hodge 27-yard field goal (2:01, Q3) | WPG 13 SSK 6
Sergio Castillo 44-yard field goal (14:37, Q4) | WPG 16 SSK 6
Sergio Castillo 36-yard field goal (1:49, Q4) | WPG 19 SSK 6

NEXT UP

The Saskatchewan Roughriders get a bye in Week 16 before meeting the BC Lions in Vancouver on Friday, September 25. The teams have split their first two meetings, with Saskatchewan winning 31-27 in Week 2 before BC responded with a 30-16 victory in Week 12. The Riders will look to claim the season series for a second straight year.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will return from their Week 16 bye to host the Toronto Argonauts on Friday, September 25. Winnipeg won the first meeting 30-21 in Week 6 with Dru Brown under centre, setting up a chance to sweep the season series for the first time since 2018.

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