Riders’ QB, Collaros, comes through in come-from-behind win over Bombers
REGINA (CP) — Zach Collaros was due. Defence and special teams had been carrying the Saskatchewan Roughriders through much of the season.
But on Sunday in the Labour Day Classic, Collaros came through, engineering two fourth-quarter touchdown drives to lift the Riders to a 31-23 comeback victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and a third consecutive win for the green and white.
“Our defence has been holding us in games all year. This was our turn,” said Saskatchewan’s Marcus Thigpen, who had a touchdown reception from Collaros in the decisive fourth quarter.
Trailing 20-17 after three quarters, the Riders’ offence hit its stride and capped a six-play, 75-yard drive with Thigpen’s TD. Saskatchewan took a 24-20 lead — one it wouldn’t relinquish.
Winnipeg answered with a Justin Medlock field goal with seven minutes remaining to pull to within one at 24-23, but that was as close as the Bombers would get.
Collaros put the game out of reach when he marched the Riders on a late scoring drive highlighted by a 39-yard pass to Jordan Williams-Lambert that set up Saskatchewan at Winnipeg’s three-yard line. Two plays later, Nick Marshall had a one-yard TD run.
“That was really big for us. It took a lot of pressure off the defence,” said Charleston Hughes, a defensive lineman. “When your offence can put up points like that, it’s a soothing feeling.”
Collaros completed 18-of-30 pass attempts for 250 yards, with one touchdown and an interception.
“It’s a big boost for everybody,” Hughes added. “I think our offence is coming along quite well. Zach is having one heck of a season since he has been back.”
The Riders (6-4) have won 12 of the past 13 Labour Day contests versus the Bombers (5-6), who will host Saskatchewan in the Banjo Bowl this weekend.