Breadcrumb Trail Links
SportsFootballCFLWinnipeg Blue Bombers
“The feeling inside this building is that it was just going to be a matter of time before the kid broke one and, now he has two,” Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said.
Published Aug 02, 2025 • Last updated 11 minutes ago • 3 minute read
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Trey Vaval (23) celebrates his punt return for a touchdown against the Toronto Argonauts with Willie Jefferson (5) during first half CFL action in Winnipeg, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. Vaval returned two kicks for touchdowns in Winnipeg’s 41-30 victory over Toronto. Photo by Fred Greenslade /THE CANADIAN PRESSArticle content
Trey Vaval doubled down on the double blue as the Blue Bombers snapped a three-game slide with a 40-31 win over the Toronto Argos on Friday night.
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive columns by Ryan Stelter, Paul Friesen, Ted Wyman, Scott Billeck, Lorrie Goldstein, Warren Kinsella and others. Plus newsletters: Gimme Stelter for your beat on the city, The Exit Row for all your Jets news and On the Rocks for curling.Unlimited online access to Winnipeg Sun and 15 news sites with one account.Winnipeg Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive columns by Ryan Stelter, Paul Friesen, Ted Wyman, Scott Billeck, Lorrie Goldstein, Warren Kinsella and others. Plus newsletters: Gimme Stelter for your beat on the city, The Exit Row for all your Jets news and On the Rocks for curling.Unlimited online access to Winnipeg Sun and 15 news sites with one account.Winnipeg Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
Vaval became the second Blue Bombers player in history to return two kicks to the house in the same game. Janarian Grant accomplished the same feat against the Calgary Stampeders during the 2018 season. The TD’s were the first and second of his CFL career.
Article content
Article content
“In these first games I am trying to get used to being a professional athlete,” Vaval said. “I am a rookie just trying to fit in with my teammates and be a good teammate.”
The Minnesota State alumnus is certainly making a strong case for the full-time kick return role. He seems more concerned with controlling what he can control, letting the chips fall where they may.
He certainly announced his presence with authority in front of another capacity crowd of 32,343.
“I am going to go out there on every play and do what I do best,” Vaval said. “If I am out there playing, then I am out there playing. If the coach doesn’t want me out there, that is on them, that is their decision.”
The Winnipeg Sun’s Daily Headline News
Thanks for signing up!
Article content
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Vaval opened his special teams account with a 93-yard kick return at 8:55 of the first quarter. Vaval then returned a punt 97 yards late in the second quarter.
“The feeling inside this building is that it was just going to be a matter of time before the kid broke one and, now he has two,” Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said.
Three-phase football was on the menu as the defence scored a touchdown for the second consecutive game. Rookie DE when Jay Person scooped up a Nick Arbuckle fumble and rumbled 28 yards into the Toronto end zone in the second quarter.
Willie Jefferson broke through the offensive line and got to Arbuckle, forcing the ball onto the carpet.
“We had a scoop and score in the last game and it is nice to see another one,” O’Shea said. “That whole play was executed extremely well from the front with Jefferson getting the ball out and a young guy in Jay picking it up rather than laying on it because there is an instinct to jump on it.”
Advertisement 4
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Last week in Toronto, James Vaughters picked up a loose ball and rumbled 29 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter.
Chris Streveler also ran one in from nine yards away with 23 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Streveler threw for 173 yards and three interceptions.
“We have got to better, I have got to get better, but it is easier to learn for a win than a loss,” Streveler said. “We just didn’t score enough touchdowns and when you throw three picks, that is just never good enough.”
The Argos returned a Streveler pass for a touchdown in the first quarter when Anthony Lanier tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage, the ball deflecting into the hands of Cameron Judge. Judge returned the ball 47 yards for the score.
The opposition has now returned four interceptions for touchdowns this season. Zach Collaros surrendered two pick sixes to the Calgary Stampeders in Week 5 action. Streveler also threw a pick six against the Stamps in Week 7 action.
Advertisement 5
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Sergio Castillo’s missed 45-yard field goal in the first quarter, the ball hitting the left upright, snapped a streak of 11 straight field goals. His previous miss came in the fourth quarter of the season opener against the B.C. Lions. Castillo kicked four field goals on Friday night.
Brady Oliveira rushed the ball 17 times for 50 yards. Jerreth Sterns led the team in receptions with six catches for 53 yards. Nic Demski caught five passes for 67 yards.
Tony Jones paced the deence with four tackles and one interception.
Argos quarterback Nick Arbuckle threw for 327 yards and two touchdowns. He also tossed one interception.
Damonte Coxie caught nine balls for 187 yards and two touchdowns. Coxie had 145 yards receiving and one touchdown in last week’s 31-17 win for the Argos. Argos running back Deonta McMahon ran for four yards on three carries.
Lirim Hajrullahu booted three field goals for the Argos. Hajrullahu kicked six field goals in last week’s game against the Bombers.
The Bombers are in Calgary next week.
Article content
Share this article in your social network