Latest news with #ZachCollaros
CBC
4 hours ago
- Sport
- CBC
Zach Collaros makes season debut in Blue Bombers 27-14 win over B.C. Lions
Thirteen seasons into his CFL career, Zach Collaros isn't taking football for granted. So when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback ran out of the tunnel for his first game of the season on Saturday, he made sure to soak in the atmosphere. "When you're younger, you think you're gonna do it forever," said Collaros, who threw for 179 yards and two touchdowns as the Bombers thumped the B.C. Lions 27-14. "I still feel good and think that I'm gonna do it forever. I know at some point it's gonna come to an end, but I don't think anytime soon. But I think as you get older, you gain a little more wisdom and things like that, and you try to just cherish every moment and just be present all the time." The 36-year-old American was suspended for Winnipeg's first game of the season — a 34-20 win over B.C. — last week for failing to respond to an off-season drug-testing request. Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea said he was "so happy" to see his No. 1 quarterback on the field Saturday. "When football gets taken away — and it doesn't matter what for — it hurts the guys," he said. "So to see him back playing, doing something he loves to do, and being in a spot that he feels really comfortable at, I'm more excited for the man." Collaros wasted no time finding his form. Just over seven minutes into Saturday's game, the veteran escaped the pocket under pressure and hurled a rainbow into the far corner of the end zone where Dalton Schoen jumped up to make the grab. The 15-yard touchdown pass capped a 72-yard, 12-play scoring drive. "Not playing for a long time, you don't doubt yourself, obviously, but it's nice to know I can still do this," Collaros said of the play. He connected on 18 of his 25 attempts across the night and had two interceptions. On the other side of the ball, Jeremiah Masoli was 25-for-44, passing for 281 yards with one major and two interceptions in his first-ever start for the Lions (1-2). "Definitely room for improvement," the 36-year-old American said of the performance. "It was good to be out there and just putting some long drives together with the boys. But the opportunities that we had and missed, we've got to be able to cash in on those versus a good team." Masoli replaced Nathan Rourke as starter after Rourke suffered a core injury last week. The Canadian QB dressed for the rematch, but spent the game on the sidelines wearing a ball cap instead of his helmet. Winnipeg (2-0) was also without one of its stars as Brady Oliveira sat out with a shoulder injury he picked up against the Lions. Sergio Castillo made good on two field goals for the visitors, including a 55-yard strike, and Sean Whyte kicked two for B.C. His longest of the night was 43 yards. Interceptions plagued both sides, but the Bombers were better able to capitalize on the picks Saturday. Midway through the second quarter, Masoli -- who signed with the Lions as a free agent in February — tossed a harried pass to running back James Butler, who fumbled the ball. Jamal Parker was there to pick it up and sprint 57 yards the other way for the Bombers' second major of the night. Castillo hit the convert and Winnipeg took a 17-3 lead. With the Lions down 20-6 early in the fourth quarter, Masoli sailed a pass to Ayden Eberhardt deep in the end zone, only to see it picked off by Evan Holm. B.C. challenged the play, saying there was no catch, but a review upheld the call on the field. "Once again, we took points off the board down deep, surefire points," O'Shea said. On the next drive, Collaros chucked a pass way up field to Keric Wheatfall for a 48-yard gain. The Bombers continued to build and Collaros capped the drive with a five-yard dish to offensive lineman Tui Eli in the end zone. Another convert from Castillo gave Winnipeg a 27-6 advantage. The Lions refused to go quietly, though. Late in the fourth quarter, Robert Carter Jr. nabbed Collaros' pass inside Winnipeg territory and the Lions capitalized, with Masoli firing a seven-yard dart to Jevon Cottoy just over the goal line. The QB then handed off to Butler, who rushed in for a two-point convert that sealed the score at 27-14. "That was big, for sure. We wanted to for our pride, just to know that we can get it in there," Masoli said. "Obviously we marched down a couple times and weren't able to get it in. "It changes the complexion of a game when you're not able to score and give some help to your defence. But there's some good stuff we did tonight that we can build on. And that was one of them."
CTV News
6 hours ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Zach Collaros makes season debut, Winnipeg Blue Bombers thump B.C. Lions 27-14
Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Dalton Schoen, centre, celebrates scoring a touchdown against the B.C. Lions with Nic Demski, left, and Keric Wheatfall, right, during the first half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, June 21, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns VANCOUVER — Thirteen seasons into his CFL career, Zach Collaros isn't taking football for granted. So when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback ran out of the tunnel for his first game of the season on Saturday, he made sure to soak in the atmosphere. 'When you're younger, you think you're gonna do it forever,' said Collaros, who threw for 179 yards and two touchdowns as the Bombers thumped the B.C. Lions 27-14. 'I still feel good and think that I'm gonna do it forever. I know at some point it's gonna come to an end, but I don't think any time soon. But I think as you get older, you gain a little more wisdom and things like that, and you try to just cherish every moment and just be present all the time.' The 36-year-old American was suspended for Winnipeg's first game of the season — a 34-20 win over B.C. — last week for failing to respond to an off-season drug-testing request. Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea said he was 'so happy' to see his No. 1 quarterback on the field Saturday. 'When football gets taken away — and it doesn't matter what for — it hurts the guys,' he said. 'So to see him back playing, doing something he loves to do, and being in a spot that he feels really comfortable at, I'm more excited for the man.' Collaros wasted no time finding his form. Just over seven minutes into Saturday's game, the veteran escaped the pocket under pressure and hurled a rainbow into the far corner of the end zone where Dalton Schoen jumped up to make the grab. The 15-yard touchdown pass capped a 72-yard, 12-play scoring drive. 'Not playing for a long time, you don't doubt yourself, obviously, but it's nice to know I can still do this,' Collaros said of the play. He connected on 18 of his 25 attempts across the night and had two interceptions. On the other side of the ball, Jeremiah Masoli was 25-for-44, passing for 281 yards with one major and two interceptions in his first-ever start for the Lions (1-2). 'Definitely room for improvement,' the 36-year-old American said of the performance. 'It was good to be out there and just putting some long drives together with the boys. But the opportunities that we had and missed, we've got to be able to cash in on those versus a good team.' Masoli replaced Nathan Rourke as starter after Rourke suffered a core injury last week. The Canadian QB dressed for the rematch, but spent the game on the sidelines wearing a ball cap instead of his helmet. Winnipeg (2-0) was also without one of its stars as Brady Oliveira sat out with a shoulder injury he picked up against the Lions. Sergio Castillo made good on two field goals for the visitors, including a 55-yard strike, and Sean Whyte kicked two for B.C. His longest of the night was 43 yards. Interceptions plagued both sides, but the Bombers were better able to capitalize on the picks Saturday. Midway through the second quarter, Masoli — who signed with the Lions as a free agent in February — tossed a harried pass to running back James Butler, who fumbled the ball. Jamal Parker was there to pick it up and sprint 57 yards the other way for the Bombers' second major of the night. Castillo hit the convert and Winnipeg took a 17-3 lead. With the Lions down 20-6 early in the fourth quarter, Masoli sailed a pass to Ayden Eberhardt deep in the end zone, only to see it picked off by Evan Holm. B.C. challenged the play, saying there was no catch, but a review upheld the call on the field. 'Once again, we took points off the board down deep, surefire points,' O'Shea said. On the next drive, Collaros chucked a pass way up field to Keric Wheatfall for a 48-yard gain. The Bombers continued to build and Collaros capped the drive with a five-yard dish to offensive lineman Tui Eli in the end zone. Another convert from Castillo gave Winnipeg a 27-6 advantage. The Lions refused to go quietly, though. Late in the fourth quarter, Robert Carter Jr. nabbed Collaros' pass inside Winnipeg territory and the Lions capitalized, with Masoli firing a seven-yard dart to Jevon Cottoy just over the goal line. The QB then handed off to Butler, who rushed in for a two-point convert that sealed the score at 27-14. 'That was big, for sure. We wanted to for our pride, just to know that we can get it in there,' Masoli said. 'Obviously we marched down a couple times and weren't able to get it in. 'It changes the complexion of a game when you're not able to score and give some help to your defence. But there's some good stuff we did tonight that we can build on. And that was one of them.' UP NEXT Blue Bombers: Host the Edmonton Elks on Thursday. Lions: Visit the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday, June 28. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2025. Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
National Post
20 hours ago
- Sport
- National Post
Blue Bombers 27, B.C. Lions 14: Zach Collaros makes season debut for Winnipeg
Zach Collaros threw for 179 yards with two touchdowns on Saturday, powering the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to a 27-14 victory over the B.C. Lions in his first game of the CFL season. Article content The veteran quarterback connected on 18 of his 25 attempts and had two interceptions after missing Winnipeg's season opener last week due to suspension for failing to respond to an off-season drug-testing request. Article content Article content Article content Jeremiah Masoli was 25-for-44, passing for 281 yards with one major and two interceptions in his first start for the Lions (1-2). Article content The 36-year-old American quarterback replaced Nathan Rourke as starter after Rourke suffered a core injury in B.C.'s 34-20 loss to the Blue Bombers last week. Article content Winnipeg (2-0) was also without one of its stars in Saturday's rematch as Brady Oliveira sat out with a shoulder injury he picked up against the Lions. Article content Collaros wasted no time in finding his form Saturday. Article content Just over seven minutes into the game, the veteran escaped the pocket under pressure and hurled a rainbow into the far corner of the end zone where Dalton Schoen jumped up to make the grab. The 15-yard touchdown pass capped a 72-yard, 12-play scoring drive. Article content The Lions responded with their own extended series, but couldn't break into the red zone and settled for a 22-yard field goal from Sean Whyte early in the second quarter. Article content Sergio Castillo matched the score minutes later, booting a 55-yard kick through the uprights to boost Winnipeg's lead to 10-3. Article content Article content B.C.'s offence struggled to gain traction through the rest of the half. Article content Midway through the second quarter, Masoli — who signed with the Lions as a free agent in February — tossed a harried pass to running back James Butler, who fumbled the ball. Parker was there to pick it up and sprint 57 yards the other way for the Bombers' second major of the night. Castillo hit the convert and Winnipeg took a 17-3 lead. Article content The Lions got a glimmer of hope later in the frame when defensive back Cristophe Beaulieu picked off Collaros' deep throw to Nic Demski and darted up the sidelines 40 yards. Article content Masoli and the B.C. offence couldn't make anything of the interception and punted on third down. Article content
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
News briefs for Saturday, June 21, 2025
A collection of breaking news briefs filed on Saturday, June 21, 2025 6:42 PM The Winnipeg Blue Bombers got out to a hot start on offence for the second week in a row, and hold a 7-0 lead over the B.C. Lions after one quarter inside BC Place in Vancouver because of it. Quarterback Zach Collaros led a 12-play 82-yard drive that ate up more than seven minutes from the clock, capped by a beautiful 15-yard touchdown pass to receiver Dalton Schoen. Collaros went seven-for-seven with 70 passing yards on the opening series. The Lions' offence begins the second quarter inside the red zone, still on their first possession of the contest. 2:52 PM Mounties in Saskatchewan are asking Manitobans to help locate a missing 27-year-old woman who may be in Brandon. Angela Kennedy was last seen on June 20 around 2:26 p.m. walking east on Highway 1 near the town of Indian Head, Sask., with her daughter, Ivey Anhalt. RCMP say Anhalt has complex medical needs, and police are concerned for the pair's wellbeing. Kennedy is described as 5-8, 200 pounds, has blue eyes, blond air and was last seen wearing a blue dress. She has a tattoo of teacups and a rose on her left arm and a full-sleeve tattoo on her right arm. RCMP say Kennedy is known to travel to Moosomin, Sask., and Brandon. Anyone with information on Kennedy's whereabouts is asked to contact Indian Head RCMP or call Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a secure tip online at 2:33 PM A 30-year-old man is facing charges after allegedly stealing clothes and stabbing a security guard at St. Vital Centre Friday afternoon. Winnipeg police say the man visited a store, took two hats and attempted to leave without paying. When stopped by store security, he stabbed the security guard in the upper body with a knife, a Saturday media release states. The security guard was not physically injured as he was wearing a protective vest, police say. The Major Crimes Unit is investigating. 12:13 PM The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service was called to the 100 block of Douglas Park Road around 3 a.m. Saturday for reports of a fire. When crews arrived at the vacant-two-and-a-half storey home, the structure was engulfed in flames and smoke. As the home sustained significant smoke, fire and water damage, an emergency demolition is being arranged, the city said in a Saturday media release. The public is asked to call 911 if they see someone actively entering a vacant building. Residents may call 311 to report buildings with breached entryways.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Collaros itchin' to throw vs. Lions
VANCOUVER — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are looking to build on a stellar season opener in a rematch with the B.C. Lions at BC Place on Saturday (6 p.m.), but they will look a little different while doing it. Changes at quarterback, running back and along the offensive line punctuate what's been a week of ironing out wrinkles for the Blue and Gold, and they aren't the only ones. The Lions are dealing with some major changes themselves. The veteran Winnipeg squad is quite comfortable in these situations. The club was 2-0 in home-and-homes last year, and looked good in each rematch, beating the Roughriders by five and the Elks by 28 in their second go-rounds. Despite their success, head coach Mike O'Shea said he doesn't believe there is a secret sauce in these circumstances. 'I really don't think there is. There's so much time between games. Even on shorter weeks, it's not like you're playing every second night, right? I still don't believe you can carry momentum from one week to the next. In game, there's such a thing as momentum; in-between there really isn't,' he said. 'You have to treat this one like it's a separate entity. So you prepare, and you always believe your opponent's gonna give you their best, and it's really about what we do anyway.' This week stands to be a bit different than a regular rematch. There are more season debuts, plenty of injuries and enough changes to the depth chart for this to feel like it could take an entirely different path. This is the final matchup between the West Division foes, so the Bombers can take care of the season series with a win or by avoiding a loss by more than 14 points. It would be the earliest that this season series will have been wrapped up. Before we start counting eggs, let's look at some of the biggest storylines leading up to kickoff in the latest edition of 5 Storylines. Zach Collaros might have a hard time sleeping on the eve of this one. The Bombers' starting pivot will make his season debut after serving a one-game suspension last week. Collaros detailed the agony he endured during the season-opener, as he paced the hallways inside Princess Auto Stadium and walked on a treadmill while watching his teammates earn a 34-20 victory. JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES 'I'm pretty fired up,' said Bomber QB Zach Collaros. He's moved past it now, but those pre-game jitters have been around since he stepped on the field for practice Monday. 'I'm pretty fired up,' said Collaros. 'I don't think that's ever going to go away. If it does, it's probably time to step away. I'm just excited to get out there and play. It's been a long time since the last time I was out there, and I couldn't be taking the field with a better group of guys. And that's the coolest part about it, is you got a lot of old friends on this team, guys that we've accomplished a lot with, and to be back out there with them, it's gonna be a lot of fun.' Though it was against other regimes, Collaros has enjoyed success against the Lions, boasting a 13-4 record against the coastal squad. One week after Winnipeg's offence operated with its backup quarterback, it's the Lions' turn. Lions head coach Buck Pierce confirmed Friday that Jeremiah Masoli will start in place of Nathan Rourke, who suffered an oblique injury in the fourth quarter of the Week 2 contest. The franchise pivot is labelled a game-time decision, and while he's not going to play, Pierce said he will dress. The Lions roster the minimum requirement of three quarterbacks, so Rourke is listed as the third option on the depth chart but is not expected to play. It's the cautious and perhaps wise move by Pierce, who is attempting to preserve his signal-caller with 18 weeks to go in the regular season. Enter the 36-year-old Masoli, who is in his first season with B.C. after eight with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the last three with the Ottawa Redblacks. The veteran pivot completed seven of 10 passes for 84 passing yards while throwing one interception in relief of Rourke last week. Masoli has endured a brutal stretch of injuries dating to his days in Hamilton. He suffered a torn ACL in 2019, a long-term, bone-based leg injury in 2022 and then ruptured his Achilles tendon in 2023. He's not taking this opportunity for granted. 'I'm super thankful,' Masoli said after Friday's walkthrough. 'I was so thankful just to even get the call to come back up here, and then let alone be here at B.C., a place that I've always wanted to be at. It's not about me at all. It's about our team and just us coming together and really forging our identity early in the season and making sure we are who we want to be on the field.' The injuries to Brady Oliveira and Rourke are unfortunate in more ways than one. They are two of the league's biggest homegrown stars, and they will be on the sideline for a pivotal early season matchup. Injuries to star players are never good for the three-down product, but especially so when it's a pair of players who rep the Maple Leaf as proudly as Oliveira and Rourke. It's not as though this contest is void of any stud national players, however. The Bombers will continue to field Grey Cup Most Outstanding Canadian, receiver Nic Demski and the Lions still have last year's leader in receiving yards, Justin McInnis. Down their star rusher, the Bombers will roster two running backs with combined experience of one professional game, with 23 carries for 130 yards. Those numbers belong to rookie Matthew Peterson, who entered last week's contest in relief of Oliveira and looked anything but a player making his pro debut. Bombers fans are still buzzing about his display of power, speed and shiftiness, which were all highlighted on a 38-yard highlight-reel touchdown run. However, Peterson, who weighs in at 5-9, 203 pounds, could serve in a change-of-pace role this week with fellow rookie Quinton Cooley — 5-7, 220 pounds — who was upgraded from the practice roster. Cooley shone in pre-season, racking up 92 rushing yards on 13 carries and catching three passes for 45 yards in two exhibition contests. His punishing play-style impressed the coaching staff enough to keep him around on the practice roster, and perhaps he will have an opportunity to show that in a game which impacts the standings. 'You know, Quinton's got speed to him too, and he's got a lot of power behind him,' said Peterson, who happily accepted the lightning moniker. 'He solidifies that physicality that this team requires, and so it's going to be very fun to go out there and not just watch him, but to be able to play with him.' It's the second time the Bombers will start without Oliveira since he took the reins from fellow Winnipegger Andrew Harris in 2022. One of the units that shone brightest in the Bombers' victory was the offensive line. It's a unit that underwent some changes this off-season, with guard Liam Dobson joining the Ticats in free agency and tackle Eric Lofton suffering a knee injury early in camp. Micah Vanterpool and Kendall Randolph, a pair of sophomores, took over seamlessly, opening lanes for Peterson to run through while keeping Streveler's jersey clean for the most part. However, with changes elsewhere on the roster, the Bombers will start Gabe Wallace, another second-year player, at left guard in place of Vanterpool to comply with the CFL's ratio rule. Wallace was thought to be one of two battling for the starting gig at left guard (Tui Eli) throughout training camp, but fell out of the running as Vanterpool emerged. Checking in at a hulking 6-6, 340 pounds, the 24-year-old Wallace is a people-mover with a knack for getting extra nasty when the score counts. He got some run as a rookie in the 2024 season-opener against Montreal and dressed for the first 11 games of 2024 before suffering a knee injury that knocked him out until the regular season finale. 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. X: @jfreysam Joshua Frey-SamReporter Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh. Every piece of reporting Josh 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. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
