\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
![\"Ruth](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3691086_web1_251028-BB-33-Jones-3-.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
Ruth Bonneville \/ Free Press<\/p>\n
Tony Jones says the Bombers defence can change a game.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe got the guys to go out there and force a fumble or get an interception. We just feel as a defence we can get the ball back a lot more times to our offence to go help them get more points if they are struggling.\u201d<\/p>\n
That might be the recipe for a Bombers (10-8) victory Saturday when they\u2019re in Montreal to challenge the Alouettes (10-8) in the East division semifinal (1 p.m. CT kickoff).<\/p>\n
Struggling has been a common theme for the Bombers\u2019 offence in 2025. It ranks seventh in points per game (23.1) and eighth in turnovers committed with 45.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile on defence, the Blue and Gold held the opposition\u2019s attack to 21.4 points per game which is the best mark in the entire CFL. That number is even lower since Labour Day (17.8 points per game).<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to have our offence\u2019s back. We might be out there a couple more plays, but at the end of the day, we have no problem doing that,\u201d said Jones.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love being on the field. Any time we get the chance to be out there and make an impact, I want to be a part of the impact.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones and Co. will have to make an even larger impact if the offence is without star receiver Nic Demski. Last week, head coach Mike O\u2019Shea said he expected the Winnipegger to suit up for the opening round of playoffs but Demski (who suffered a hamstring injury on Oct. 11) hasn\u2019t practised since.<\/p>\n
He was wearing his uniform but didn\u2019t participate in any drills on Tuesday. O\u2019Shea declined to give a health update on the pass catcher.<\/p>\n
The Bombers are at the bottom of the league in passing (235 yards per game) and it\u2019ll be that much harder if Demski isn\u2019t 100 per cent.<\/p>\n
It could be a busy afternoon for his pal, running back Brady Oliveira.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to have to find maybe some different ways to win games throughout this stretch of going in the East and trying to make it back home,\u201d said Oliveira. \u201cI look forward to the challenge, obviously to help lead this team to victories these next couple of weeks. And if that needs to happen from the run game, then let\u2019s do it. But we have a lot of weapons on this team, where I have full confidence that we can get it done on the ground and in the air.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oliveira and the offence will need to get into the end zone any way they can to keep up with the Als. With star quarterback Davis Alexander under centre, Montreal is a perfect 7-0 this season.<\/p>\n
Alexander, who has completed 72 per cent of passes for 2,024 yards, 10 touchdowns, and three interceptions, has on;y 11 passing attempts in two relief appearances against the Bombers in his four-year career.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat stands out to me about him is just his competitiveness. I really like the level which he competes at. It doesn\u2019t really matter what the play is, he\u2019s gonna bring it every snap,\u201d said Bombers pivot Zach Collaros.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously there\u2019s a reason they decided to go with him a year back when they had a great quarterback there in Cody Fajardo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTOUGH TO WATCH\u201d<\/p>\n
Zach Collaros\u2019s face said it all.<\/p>\n
Collaros looked incredibly concerned from the sidelines when Chris Streveler went down in Saturday\u2019s meaningless regular-season finale against the Als with a non-contact leg injury.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Shea wouldn\u2019t share any info regarding Streveler, but all signs point to it being a serious setback. It\u2019s the same leg Streveler tore three out of four ligaments in last year at the Banjo Bowl.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was heartbroken,\u201d said Collaros. \u201cIt\u2019s hard to put into words. I\u2019ve been talking to him the last couple days and just there\u2019s not really anything you can say to make it better. I just love Chris, and everybody loves Chris, but I get to work very closely with him, day in and day out. So I understand his work ethic and how much he cares about this sport and how much he cares about this organization and his teammates.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it was very tough to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n
taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Taylor Allen Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree\/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Reporter
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n