Winnipeg Blue Bombers remain unbeaten with 36-23 win over Edmonton Elks

National Post

11 hours ago

WINNIPEG — Zach Collaros picked the perfect time to take matters into his own hands. Or rather, make that feet.
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With the Winnipeg Blue Bombers up by three points against the Edmonton Elks and less than six minutes left in Thursday's contest, the veteran quarterback escaped pressure and ran 13 yards into the end zone.
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The Blue Bombers went on to win 36-23.
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'I've done it many times, it's just been a long time,' the 36-year-old said. 'Yeah, I don't know if I made somebody miss or not, I kind of just got through the first layer of the defence.'
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Even Elks quarterback Tre Ford was impressed by Collaros's touchdown.
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'He balled today, right?' Ford said. 'I think he threw for like 350 (yards) or something and he had that rushing touchdown.
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'He's getting a little bit older, but he can still move. A veteran quarterback, he did a great job tonight.'
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Collaros also threw three touchdown passes, finishing 25 of 30 passing for 334 yards with no interceptions to help the Blue Bombers improve to 3-0.
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He connected twice with Nic Demski, one touchdown for eight yards and another for 60. Keric Wheatfall hauled in a 52-yard TD pass.
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Demski, who was a game-time decision with an injured ankle, extended his reception streak to 74 consecutive games.
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He said he told the team's athletic therapist in the morning that he felt ready to go. He ended up with five catches for 97 yards after having one catch for one yard last game.
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'I thought Zach put me in great position to go out there and make plays,' Demski said, also crediting offensive co-ordinator Jason Hogan.
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The Elks remained winless at 0-3. Winnipeg has won its last 13 meetings against Edmonton and is 16-2 against the club since 2017.
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The 32,343 fans in the stands, the seventh consecutive sellout at Princess Auto Stadium, saw an exciting finish.
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Winnipeg led 23-13 at halftime, but Ford came out firing in the third quarter, hitting Kaion Julien-Grant with a 68-yard touchdown pass at 2:01.
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Edmonton kicker Vincent Blanchard followed that up with a 41-yard field goal to tie the game 23-23.
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Winnipeg responded by marching down to Edmonton's 22-yard line, but only came away with a 30-yard Sergio Castillo field goal at 2:36 of the fourth.