Blue Bombers lose Zach Collaros and lose to Calgary in CFL action

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“I don’t have an update,” Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said after the game about quarterback Zach Collaros. “I am not going to speculate.”

Published Jul 19, 2025 • Last updated 5 hours ago • 3 minute read

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Bombers Collaros Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros, right, throws the football as Calgary Stampeders’ Folarin Orimolade closes in during second half CFL football action in Calgary on July 3, Collaros left the game in the second quarter after taking a hit from Clarence Hicks. He did not return to the game. The Bombers lost 41-20 to the Stampeders on Friday night in Winnipeg. Photo by .THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh /Winnipeg SunArticle content

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers first lost Zach Collaros, and then they lost the football game as the Calgary Stampeders beat the Bombers 41-20 at the stadium on Friday night.

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The Bombers quarterback left the game and did not return with 6:30 remaining in the second quarter when Calgary defensive lineman Clarence Hicks knocked him to the turf, slamming his head onto the ground. Collaros walked off the field under his own power. A team spokesperson said the injury was upper body in nature.

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“I don’t have an update,” Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said after the game. “I am not going to speculate.”

Collaros was intercepted on the play when he heaved the ball downfield for Nic Demski just before the hit, but Jaydon Grant wrestled the ball away from the Winnipeg receiver at the Calgary 44-yard line.

“It is rough to see your starting quarterback go down,” linebacker Tony Jones said. “I don’t know what happened and I don’t know if everything is OK with him, but when you lose your starting guy, it hurts.”

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Jones had four tackles on the night. Deatrick Nichols led the Stamps in tackles with six.

Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson shared his thoughts on the play that sent Collaros to the locker room.

“None of us like to see that,” Dickenson said. “I’ve never coached him but I really like the way he plays. I get nervous for him. I’ve been there. But it is what it is.”
Collaros went 8-for-11 for 151 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Collaros also threw two interceptions in the Week 5 loss to the Stampeders.

Chris Streveler threw for 128 yards and rushed for 29. He threw two interceptions and one touchdown.

“I think his injury changes the game plan a little bit but at the same time Streveler showed that he is able to move the ball and that he has been able to win games in this league,” receiver Demski said. “The injury shouldn’t change our task as football is pretty simple in that way. You call a play, and you have to go out there and execute and I don’t think we did that fully.”
Streveler’s first pick led to a Calgary touchdown. The Bombers marched down the field with their opening drive of the third quarter, getting the ball down to the Calgary seven-yard line.

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Streveler tried to squeeze a pass to Kevens Clercius at the pylon, but Adrian Greene jumped the throw at the one and returned the ball to the 21. Nine plays and 89 yards later, the ball was in the end zone when Adams hit Damien Alford from 49-yards out.

“Obviously, you can’t throw picks in the red zone,” Streveler said.

Streveler’s second interception was returned for a touchdown when he dropped back and threw the ball directly to Damon Webb in the slot to the left side of the offensive line. The Stamps’ defender returned the ball 15 yards into the end zone for a fourth quarter major.

In two games against Calgary this season, Streveler and Collaros have combined to throw six interceptions. Three of them have been returned for touchdowns.

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Brady Oliveira carried the ball 15 times for 68 yards. His longest run was 18 yards.
Demski caught five balls for 116 yards and one touchdown in the first half. His longest was a 73-yard catch and run in the first quarter. He also ran the ball once for 27 yards. In total, Demski caught seven balls for 147 yards.

“It was a good first half,” Demski said. ‘Me and Zach were on the same page and hitting the plays that we called.”

Keric Wheatfall caught six passes for 64 yards. Kody Case caught one touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter, an eight-yard toss from Streveler.

Kick return specialist Trey Vaval left the game in the third quarter when he took a head shot from Kelon Thomas on a punt return. Case replaced Vaval for the remainder of the game. Vaval returned three punts for 16 yards.

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O’Shea did not have an update on Vaval, either.
Sergio Castillo booted two field goals for the Bombers, his longest a 58-yard field goal in the second quarter.
Vernon Adams Jr. Went 16-for-24 for 267 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw one interception when Evan Holm snared a wayward pass in the second quarter.

Alford caught two balls for 79 yards and two touchdowns. Dominique Rhymes caught four balls for 49 yards and one touchdown. Quincy Vaughn scored a rushing touchdown for Calgary early in the first quarter.

Dedrick Mills rushed the ball 13 times for 70 yards.

Rene Parades kicked two field goals for the visitors.

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Blue Bombers lose Zach Collaros and lose to Calgary in CFL action

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