Latest news with #WinnipegBlueBombers
CTV News
3 hours ago
- Sport
- CTV News
B.C. Lions, Winnipeg Blue Bombers both expected to miss stars for rematch
Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Brady Oliveira (20) runs for the first down during first half CFL action against the BC Lions in Winnipeg Thursday, June 12, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods Micah Awe feels like he's unlocked something new in his arsenal — and that could spell trouble for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this weekend. Midway through a game against the Bombers in Winnipeg last week, the B.C. Lions linebacker started to see everything in front of him differently. The run game simply opened up, he said. 'To be honest, probably for the first time in my eight-year career, I started seeing linebackers kind of like a painting,' explained Awe, who registered 10 tackles in the contest. 'It's kind of like art. You see the art differently (once something clicks).' The switch in perception came from working with Lions defensive coordinator Mike Benevides and playing behind defensive linemen Mathieu Betts and Sione Teuhema, Awe said. 'The difference with this D line, it's the physicality and the violence,' said the 31-year-old Texas Tech product. 'That allows me to play a different way that I don't think people have seen, that I haven't seen myself. Because I'm able to do it now, it kind of unlocks that next level of linebacker for me. 'If I was a Pokemon, this might be, like, the third evolution or something.' B.C. (1-1) dropped a 34-20 decision to Winnipeg (1-0), but Awe and the rest of the Lions will have an opportunity for revenge Saturday when the two sides meet for a rematch in Vancouver. B.C. knows the key to earning a different result this time out is shutting down Winnipeg's potent rush, Awe said. 'If we can't stop the run, they can do whatever they want to do. So, that's going to be our main goal,' he said, adding that all comes down to want. 'Play professional football long enough, you realize, 'OK, all right. This is what I'm supposed to do, but I've still gotta go do it.' Winnipeg's offence will be without a key piece on Saturday after the team officially ruled Brady Oliveira out with a shoulder injury. The 27-year-old running back, who was named both the league's most-outstanding player and most-outstanding Canadian last season, contributed 49 yards on two carries last week before getting hurt. Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea said he isn't concerned about slotting someone else into the running back role. 'We've got lots of ways to move the roster around,' he said. 'We've always been pretty comfortable with everybody in our locker room. The belief is if they're here, they're going to help us win football games this year.' The Lions, too, could miss a prime offensive player for the rematch. Starting quarterback Nathan Rourke picked up a core injury in last week's loss and left in the fourth quarter. He was limited in practice on Tuesday, and did not take the field with his teammates on Wednesday or Thursday, working instead with trainers on the sidelines. B.C. has listed him as 'questionable' for Saturday's game. Veteran QB Jeremiah Masoli is expected to start for the Lions. Every quarterback on B.C.'s roster is ready to play, said Lions head coach Buck Pierce. 'All the guys have now had time under centre. And whether it be, in training camp, whether it be out here each week, I'm a big believer in getting everybody reps. So they've been taking reps, they've been learning,' he said. 'Jeremiah has a lot of experience in this league, and he's seen a lot of things. He's got a great mind for the game. He sees things quickly, he processes information fast. So, I'm confident in whoever we have back there.' The Blue Bombers will also have a different starting quarterback on Saturday as Zach Collaros returns to the lineup after serving a one-game suspension for failing to respond to an off-season drug-testing request. Pierce is uniquely primed to game plan for facing Winnipeg's usual No. 1, having worked with him for several seasons in his previous role as the Bombers' offensive coordinator. '(Collaros is) a hell of a player. I've got a lot of respect for what he's done,' the coach said. 'Obviously, I credit a lot of my success to him and he's dynamic, right? He's dynamic, he's tough, he loves to compete. 'So we're going to have to make sure that we understand his strengths and know how to play against him.' WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (1-0) AT B.C. LIONS (1-1) B.C. Place, Saturday MR. 200: Collaros enters the game with 199 regular-season touchdown passes across his CFL career. Only 14 players have reached the 200 mark across the league, and Bo Levi Mitchell is the only active player to have hit the milestone. WINNER-PEG: The Bombers have fared well against the Lions in recent years, going 7-2 in matchups between the two sides since 2022. BACK TO BACK: Masoli believes seeing the same team two weeks in a row will be a boon for B.C. 'Obviously we weren't as successful as we wanted to be last game,' he said. 'So, we're just working hard to be able to make sure that turns in our favour this weekend.' This report by Gemma Karstens-Smith The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
Vancouver Sun
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. Lions QB Nathan Rourke 'questionable' for rematch with Bombers due to injury
The B.C. Lions may be without their No. 1 quarterback when they face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday. Nathan Rourke suffered a core injury against the Bombers in Winnipeg last Thursday and left midway through the fourth quarter after throwing for 249 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The 27-year-old Canadian was replaced by Jeremiah Masoli, who tossed for 84 yards with an interception as the Lions (1-1) lost 34-20. Rourke's participation in practice was limited on Tuesday, and he did not join his teammates on the field at the team's facility in Surrey, B.C., on Wednesday or Thursday, working instead with training staff on the sidelines. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. He was listed as questionable for the game in B.C.'s injury report on Thursday. Masoli is expected to replace him as starter against Winnipeg (1-0). The 36-year-old American signed with the Lions as a free agent in February following three seasons with the Ottawa Redblacks and eight with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
National Post
17 hours ago
- Sport
- National Post
B.C. Lions QB Nathan Rourke 'questionable' for rematch with Bombers due to injury
The B.C. Lions may be without their No. 1 quarterback when they face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday. Article content Nathan Rourke suffered a core injury against the Bombers in Winnipeg last Thursday and left midway through the fourth quarter after throwing for 249 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Article content The 27-year-old Canadian was replaced by Jeremiah Masoli, who tossed for 84 yards with an interception as the Lions (1-1) lost 34-20. Article content Article content Rourke's participation in practice was limited on Tuesday, and he did not join his teammates on the field at the team's facility in Surrey, B.C., on Wednesday or Thursday, working instead with training staff on the sidelines. Article content
CTV News
2 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Bombers coach says no update on star RB Oliveira, Lions rematch coming this weekend
Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Chris Streveler (17) hands off to Brady Oliveira (20) during first half CFL action against the BC Lions in Winnipeg Thursday, June 12, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Hogan's Bombers debut a smashing success
Jason Hogan passed his first test as offensive co-ordinator with flying colours. It just so happened to be a test that featured some unique curveballs as Hogan and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers had to find their way with starting quarterback Zach Collaros suspended and star running back Brady Oliveira leaving last week's season-opener versus the B.C. Lions in the first quarter with a shoulder injury. Those factors would be enough to get even a veteran playcaller off their game, but to Hogan's credit, his debut with the big headset went on to be a smashing success with the Bombers prevailing with an impressive 34-20 victory to start the year 1-0. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive co-ordinator Jason Hogan not only beat Bombers former offensive co-ordinator Buck Pierce in Thursday's home opener against the B.C. Lions, the Bombers' second half, seven-play, 108-yard playcall was the club's longest recorded TD drive. 'It was exciting,' Hogan told reporters after Tuesday's practice. 'Great first opportunity. Thought the guys delivered. First one at home, sold out crowd, my folks were in town, so, it's pretty memorable.' The Bombers outgained the Lions 447-418 with backup pivot Chris Streveler (248 passing yards and three touchdowns) and No. 2 tailback Matthew Peterson (130 rushing yards and a major) unexpectedly leading the attack and making it look easy. Streveler, Peterson and receiver Nic Demski (four catches for 53 yards and two touchdowns) were all named to the Pro Football Focus Week 2 Honour Roll. 'To be able to get guys who aren't necessarily in a starting role to be able to deliver like that, it uplifts the offence, it uplifts the team. For myself, being surrounded by the staff we have and the enormous amount of talent we have on this offence I was not worried, and they delivered,' said Hogan. 'You prepare for the worst, but you never know what's going to happen, right? So, you have to be able to adapt. Luckily, I'm surrounded by so many competent people on our staff that I did have a level of confidence, but you never know. It was a good experience all in all.' Arguably Hogan's most impressive feat on the night was the seven-play, 108-yard drive out of halftime that was capped off by a 30-yard touchdown strike to receiver Keric Wheatfall to go up 25-10. It's the longest touchdown drive the Bombers have had since the CFL started keeping track of that data in 2012. 'I didn't know about that stat, that's awesome that you guys look that stuff up,' admitted Hogan. 'It's exciting to know you can lean on your fellas and they can just go out there and execute being backed up on the doorstep. They marched down the field and flipped the field. I would've been happy just with ending with points and flipping the field on them, but it just so happens we were able to dial up a touchdown.' Certainly, ending the contest with over 200-combined rushing yards also brought a smile to Hogan's face as a former running backs coach, but sticking with typical football talk, he was just glad to win no matter the fashion. 'We could win by one, that's all that matters (is that we win). There were a couple of Grey Cups where we would've been happy just winning by one,' said Hogan. Hogan exchanged a few texts with Lions head coach Buck Pierce — who he replaced as Winnipeg's offensive co-ordinator this off-season — before and after the game. The student (Hogan spent three seasons under Pierce) got the best of the teacher on this occasion, but the two will meet again Saturday at BC Place in a 6 p.m. CT rematch. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea said Tuesday that he isn't surprised by offensive co-ordinator Jason Hogan's success as Hogan works around the clock. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'We're in good spirits,' said Hogan. '(Pierce) and I have a great relationship, and I love him to death. It was a good conversation.' Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea wasn't surprised to see Pierce's successor hit the ground running. 'It's like anything else, the more work you put into writing the test, the easier the test seems. He puts in a ton of work and he's highly organized,' said O'Shea. 'For example, when he was a position coach, he was in the stadium all hours of the night watching clinic tape, watching other people talk about coaching, and systems and those things. Always taking in more information. Now he has a staff he relies on, and the players he relies on for information and he just so happens to be extremely organized and efficient in the way he processes all that information. But he takes in a lot of information. When he watches film, it's pretty quick that he sees what's going on.' Taylor AllenReporter 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. Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. 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