There undoubtedly been stranger wins in the long and storied history of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, victories that featured bizarre endings, fluke plays and what-just-happened moments.<\/p>\n
Well, we now have a new entry to add to the \u2018freaky victory\u2019 list, as the Blue Bombers 26-18 decision over the Ottawa Redblacks Saturday afternoon in front ot 20,003 at TD Place seemed to be ripped straight from the pages of \u2018Ripley\u2019s Believe it or Not\u2019.<\/p>\n
Consider two facts as evidence:<\/p>\n
-Winnipeg evened its record at 7-7 despite attempting just eight passes and completing three of them for a measly 54 yards. Just for the record, the lowest passing total in a Blue Bombers win is zero \u2014 set in an 18-14 win over Edmonton on August 25, 1960, in a game played in a driving rainstorm in which Ken Ploen attempted nine passes, completing none.<\/p>\n
-The Blue Bombers got a club record 128-yard missed field goal return score by Trey Vaval, the third longest in Canadian Football League history. He added another 71 yards on a second missed three, giving him 199 yards on whiffed field goals, a league record.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s about as gritty a win as I\u2019ve ever seen, man,\u201d said quarterback Chris Streveler. \u201cComing into this game we said, \u2018by any means\u2019 and that\u2019s about as unique of a win as I\u2019ve ever seen and, honestly, just a complete team effort.<\/p>\n
\u201cOffensively we did not have a great day, but we ran the ball well and put some drives together when we needed to\u2026 I wished we could have got into the end zone more but defensively they had our back all day. They played amazing. Special teams-wise, Papi (Sergio Castillo) made his kicks, Trey with obviously the return and giving us good field position. That\u2019s complimentary football. We know we got to get better on offence, but we needed this win.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve won a lot of games just grinding it out like that and running clock, getting first downs and riding Brady (Oliviera) and the O-line leaning on guys. That\u2019s what they did today.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
STREV PUNCHES IT IN.<\/p>\n
14-8 BOMBERS#ForTheW<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/iZXw45MjmW<\/a><\/p>\n
And when it was pointed out that the team is now 3-1 this season in his starts, however they may look, Streveler just shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cSome of the craziest wins ever. Some of the craziest games ever,\u201d he said. \u201cBut winning games is all that matters and I\u2019m not concerned about me in any of this. I\u2019m just concerned about our team, where we\u2019re going, what we need to get better and I\u2019m just really happy for our guys to get this win today.<\/p>\n \u201cAs crazy as it is, it feels good.\u201d<\/p>\n More from our view in the TD Press press box on the Blue Bombers seventh win of the season\u2026<\/p>\n WHAT IT MEANS\u2026<\/p>\n The Blue Bombers not only ended a three-game skid, but got a critical victory given what happened Friday night in Calgary with the B.C. Lions knocking off the Stampeders 52-23. Both Winnipeg and B.C. are now 7-7, with the Blue Bombers owning the season series, and the Toronto Argonauts loss to the Montreal Alouettes Friday also keeps the path to a possible East Division crossover spot for the team that finishes fourth in the West.<\/p>\n As well, the Stamps have now lost two straight and are now 8-5.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the most-gritty wins I\u2019ve been a part of and maybe an ugly one, as well,\u201d said running back Brady Oliveira, who rushed 20 times for 100 yards while Streveler added 72 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019s also one of the most crucial wins for this organization. We understand with B.C. winning\u2026 I look at that stuff as well, so I\u2019m not being naive to the other outcomes around the league. We understand that we\u2019ve got to win games, and it started this week with going 1-0, but this one was crucial for us and we got it done.<\/p>\n \u201cOh man, that feels good. We put so much into it this week and to grind it out like that\u2026 a win\u2019s a win.\u201d<\/p>\n THE SPARK\u2026<\/p>\n The Blue Bombers trailed 7-0 after the first quarter and were having difficulty finding any traction on offence \u2014 the first three possessions were two two-and-outs and an interception \u2014 when Vaval, the rookie returner, gave his squad a boost.<\/p>\n Latching onto a missed Lewis Ward 43-yard field goal attempt near the back of the end zone, Vaval opted to take it out rather than concede. Moments later he was in the Ottawa end zone after the 128-yard return, just three shy of the CFL record, FYI.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n FLIP THE SCRIPT TREY #ForTheW<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ZOn7bPG2tr<\/a><\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I caught it I was actually kinda scared because I was still deep in the end zone,\u201d said Vaval. \u201cI thought, \u2018I\u2019m about to get tackled deep in our zone and my coaches and my teammates are going to be f\u2019in pissed.\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cAs I got going I thought, \u2018Thank you, God\u2019 and then I just trusted my blockers down the field. I knew I had to do something otherwise everybody was going to be pissed.\u201d<\/p>\n Vaval\u2019s efforts were just one part of an outstanding special teams performance, as Sergio Castillo went four-for-four in his field goal attempts and the kick cover units weren\u2019t just solid, but also saw Michael Ayers force a fumble that was recovered by Tanner Cadwallader which led to a field goal just before halftime.<\/p>\n THE BACKBONE\u2026<\/p>\n The defence\u2019s fingerprints were all over this one, too, forcing four turnovers \u2014 two interceptions by Cam Allen and a turnover on downs. Winnipeg was +3 in the turnover differential, which was massive given what was unfolding on offence.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n OUR BALL.<\/p>\n CAM ALLEN COMES UP WITH IT #ForTheW<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/bbGybw2jsp<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\u2014 Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) September 20, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\u2014 Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) September 20, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n