Alouettes in town as Bombers look to start season 10-0 for the first time since 1960
Zach Collaros admits he's got to brush up on his Winnipeg Blue Bombers' history, even though he's aware the team is on the cusp of tying a club record.
If the Blue Bombers (9-0) defeat the visiting Montreal Alouettes (2-6) on Thursday, they'll match the 1960 Winnipeg squad that opened the season with 10 straight victories.
The veteran quarterback was asked after Wednesday's walk-through how much he knows about the 1960 roster.
"Can you educate me a little bit on it," Collaros said with a smile.
Although he didn't know legend Ken Ploen quarterbacked that talent-laden squad, he's certainly heard of him.
"I need more books on historical, team stuff," Collaros said with a grin.
For the record, the team was coached by icon Bud Grant and included stars such as running back Leo Lewis and guard/defensive end Herb Gray. It lost Game 11 to Edmonton, finished the regular season 14-2 and was defeated by Edmonton 2-1 in the Western Conference's best-of-three final.
The ending nixed an opportunity for a run of five championships. The Bombers captured the Grey Cup in 1958, '59, '61 and '62.
"A lot of time history repeats itself, but hopefully that's not the case here," Winnipeg-born receiver Nic Demski said with a smile, referring to the 1960 team opening strong but not winning the title.
The current Bombers are the two-time defending Grey Cup champions. Although they stress only keying on going 1-0 each week, Collaros acknowledged matching the 1960 team's 10-0 start would be noteworthy -- one day.
"If we're able to accomplish that, that would be something that in 20, 30 years when we're all talking to each other we'd look back on and be proud of," he said.
"But right now we're really focused on this game."
While the oddsmakers pick the Bombers to defeat the Alouettes in the rematch, last week's tilt between the two clubs was tied 14-14 going into the fourth quarter. Winnipeg then scored three straight touchdowns, including a 57-yard punt return by Janarion Grant, and won 35-20.
Collaros threw three interceptions and fumbled once in the game.
Montreal general manager and interim head coach Danny Maciocia said his team needs to capitalize on its opportunities.
"I thought we had a pretty good week of practice. Guys are dialled in," he said.
"They realize that this is a pretty big task that lays up ahead and I think they're up for the challenge."
Montreal has one change to its roster. Defensive back Kenneth Durden goes in for injured Rodney Randle Jr.
Receiver Greg Ellingson is back on Winnipeg's roster after missing the past three games with a hip injury.
Defensive tackle Jake Thomas expects another battle against the Alouettes and predicts Winnipeg's defence will buckle down until the end.
"Fourth quarter, we pride ourselves on that being our best quarter," he said. "Defensively, I thought we had a really good fourth quarter and then we always know our offence can make a big play so that makes it easier."
The team can't focus on records or outside accolades, he said.
"I think where we're the most successful is when we just focus on the task at hand," said Thomas, who's played all 10 of his CFL seasons for Winnipeg. "Hopefully, we can keep this thing going."
The Bombers have their first bye week of the season after Thursday's game.
"We're all trying to put it in the back of our minds, but at the end of the day we all need it -- mentally and physically," Demski said.
"We don't want to trump that bye week with having bad thoughts, so we just want to go out there and finish this week strong, get this win and then enjoy bye week."
MONTREAL ALOUETTES (2-6) AT WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (9-0)
Thursday, IG FIELD
PLACE IN HISTORY: Six teams in CFL history have started 10-0. The league record is 12-0 by the Calgary Stampeders in 1948.
HOME FIRES STILL BURNING: Winnipeg's home win streak sits at 12 games (not including the playoffs). During those games, the team has outscored their visiting foes 331-162.
MINIMUM DAMAGE: The Bombers have committed six turnovers in their last three games, but opponents have only scored three points off the opportunities.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 10, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.