WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers hope to exact revenge in what promises to be a snow-filled affair.
The Bombers will host the Montreal Alouettes Saturday at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg for the first time since the Als completed a 24-point comeback — their largest in franchise history — during the fourth quarter of their previous matchup at Molson Stadium.
The city of Winnipeg has seen snowfall since Thursday, while other parts of the province of Manitoba could see up to 50 centimetres of snow. Not that it stopped the Bombers from going through their walkthrough Friday.
“This is perfect,” Bombers kicker Justin Medlock said. “As (coach Mike) O’Shea says, this is perfect weather.
“I always try to watch the bad weather games or some of the games I played at certain stadiums just to see how I played it or how I went into it just to get a visual reminder. I just watched the game of Winnipeg-Calgary, 2014 in Calgary, and I just watched Ottawa-Edmonton (2016) Eastern Final in Ottawa and was just looking at the returns and them slipping around a little bit. You need to make sure you hit some good balls and trust your guys.”
Alouettes quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. says he’s ready to play in the elements and has prior experience.
“Yessir, I went to Eastern Washington University. It’s snowing right now in Spokane,” Adams Jr. said. The quarterback played for the Eagles between 2012 and 2014 before transferring to Oregon during his senior season in 2015. “Played a lot of playoff games there.
“I wouldn’t say I like it,” he added with a laugh. “It’s going to be a challenge but (the Bombers) have to play in it too.
Winnipeg will start Chris Streveler behind centre this week, but they made an addition at quarterback when they acquired Zach Collaros from the Toronto Argonauts prior to this week’s trade deadline. The Bombers acquired the upcoming free agent in exchange for a third-round draft pick in 2020. If Collaros re-signs with the Bombers, Toronto would then receive a future first-round pick.
“We have the same agent and he called me and said he’s a great guy and I’ve heard nothing but great things,” Streveler said. “He’s a good veteran and I’m excited to have another good guy in our locker room. From everything I’ve heard and the interactions we’ve had I think he’s going to be a great addition to our locker room and he’ll continue to bring some good leadership to this team.”
Collaros last played June 13, as a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, until a hit from Hamilton’s Simoni Lawrence sidelined him.
Receiver Drew Wolitarsky will play Saturday in place of Malcolm Williams. Williams is on the team’s practice roster.
The Alouettes will be without their star running back William Stanback Saturday as he’s been placed on the one-game injured list. Stanback has five touchdowns and 954 rushing yards this season to go with 287 receiving yards off 28 catches in 12 games. Jeremiah Johnson will take his place. Former Bombers receiver Chris Matthews will also miss Saturday’s game as he’s also on the one-game injured list.
Left tackle Tony Washington will also miss the game as he’s out for the year with a broken leg. Kennedy Estelle will replace him.
BY THE NUMBERS
1,095 — Bombers running back Andrew Harris leads the league in rushing yards. If that stands, he will have done so for the third year in a row.
3 — Winnipeg enters the game on a three-game losing streak. A fourth straight loss would give them their longest losing streak since last season.
.733 — Vernon Adams Jr.’s win percentage is much better than any other Als quarterback who’s been behind centre since 2016. Montreal’s eight other starters in that span have only won 25 per cent of their games.
12 — Adams Jr. and Bombers quarterback Chris Streveler both lead the league in rushing touchdowns. Not just among quarterbacks, but among all Canadian Football League players.
– With files from MontrealAlouettes.com and BlueBombers.com
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