The Winnipeg Blue Bombers keep on rolling and are now on the brink of clinching first place in the West Division.
Brady Oliveira strengthened his case for Most Outstanding Player by rushing for 147 yards as the Bombers beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 31-10 Friday night.
It is Winnipeg’s eighth straight win, moving them to 10-6 on the season and their first regular season win in Hamilton since 2017.
The Bombers guaranteed themselves a home playoff game with the victory and will clinch first place in the division if Saskatchewan loses to Edmonton on Saturday.
Winnipeg’s defence had another banner night, holding Hamilton QB Bo Levi Mitchell to 217 yards passing, intercepting him twice and sacking him twice.
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The Bombers opened the scoring about halfway through the first quarter when Collaros found Kevens Clercius for a 25-yard touchdown pass, the first of Clercius’ CFL career.
After Hamilton tied it thanks to a James Butler 18-yard touchdown run, the Bombers took the lead back as the first quarter was expiring on a 22-yard field goal from Sergio Castillo.
In the second quarter, the Bombers extended the lead on a Terry Wilson one-yard touchdown run, set up by a long 55-yard pass from Collaros to Kenny Lawler.
The Ticats would add a field goal as the half was expiring to make it 17-10 Bombers through 30 minutes.
The score would remain that way until late in the third quarter when Oliveira found the endzone from four yards out on a drive where he picked up 48 yards rushing alone.
Wilson would another rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.
On the injury front, defensive back Brandon Alexander, receiver Ontaria Wilson, and linebacker Michael Ayers all left the game and did not return.
The Bombers will play their final home game of the regular season on Friday, October 11 when they host the Toronto Argonauts.
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