Hot first quarter spurs Blue Bombers to 42-31 win over Tiger-Cats

Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Willie Jefferson (5) gestures to the crowd against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats during second half CFL action in Winnipeg Friday, June 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

WINNIPEG -- Zach Collaros was glad Blue Bombers fans were able to cheer just as much at the end of the game as they did early on in Winnipeg's 42-31 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday.

Collaros threw for 189 yards and three touchdowns in the first quarter en route to a commanding 29-4 halftime lead, but the Blue Bombers had to hold off a late Hamilton surge in the first game of the season for both teams.

"That was a wild one, for sure," Collaros said. "The viewers at home and the people in the stadium got their money's worth.

"Our fans were probably a little nervous there at the end, but it was a great CFL game."

Collaros finished 21-of-32 passing for 354 yards and the trio of touchdowns.

Winnipeg's defence also contributed to a pivotal first quarter by forcing two turnovers for two TDs in front of 29,057 roaring fans at IG Field.

One turnover was an interception thrown by quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, who was Hamilton's big-name acquisition in off-season free agency.

The other was a fumble by running back James Butler, who was another major off-season signing for Hamilton.

Mitchell went 18-of-34 for 187 yards with two interceptions and one TD throw.

"I thought he had some good spots," Hamilton head coach Orlondo Steinauer said. "I think there's some throws he definitely would want back."

"Is this the best that we've seen Bo play? No, but this is a team game and so that's how we always focus on it. I think Bo can play better, but Bo isn't the reason we lost tonight."

Bombers receiver Nic Demski scored a touchdown and finished the night with 113 yards on six catches.

"It was a little crazy out there, but you know what, we came through," Demski said. "We've always got each other's backs."

Rasheed Bailey, Drew Wolitarsky and Brady Oliveira also scored TDs for Winnipeg.

Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo made field goals from 32, 19, 18 and 50 yards and hit all four converts. The Tiger-Cats gave up a safety.

Hamilton scored four second-half touchdowns to narrow the gap and trail 39-31 in the fourth quarter.

Butler scored a rushing touchdown, Tim White had a TD catch and defensive backs Carthell Flowers-Lloyd and Chris Edwards converted turnovers into majors for the Tiger-Cats.

"We just built off what defence and special teams did," Mitchell said of Hamilton's late rally.

"We put some things together. We just started seeing things the same and I started hitting the passes. Missed way too many in the first half there."

The Tiger-Cats blocked a punt by Jamieson Sheahan that was recovered in the end zone by Flowers-Lloyd early in the third quarter. Hamilton's two-point convert attempt failed.

White caught Mitchell's 10-yard pass at the back of the end zone at 12:28 of the quarter with a good point after.

Edwards collected a Collaros fumble and ran 62 yards to score at 5:07 of the fourth. Bombers returner Janarion Grant then fumbled the kickoff.

Hamilton converted the recovery into a two-yard TD run by Butler at 5:56, followed by a successful two-point convert to trail by eight points.

Tiger-Cats kicker Seth Small booted a 31-yard field goal and kicked a convert. Bailey Flint added a punt single.

The hosts led 21-4 after the first quarter, although Hamilton was first to score points with Small's field goal on the game's opening drive at 3:24.

The Tiger-Cats appeared to gain momentum when Winnipeg's first possession ended with a Demski fumble, but a quick turnover snuffed it out.

Demerio Houston picked off Mitchell to give Winnipeg the ball on its own 31-yard line.

Collaros then tossed a 40-yard completion to Carlton Agudosi -- who replaced suspended Kenny Lawler in the game lineup-- and ended the drive with a 17-yard throw to Demski in the corner of the end zone at 7:49.

Hamilton picked up a punt single to trail by three points, but Winnipeg scored on the next drive capped by Bailey's 10-yard touchdown catch.

Butler then fumbled and Houston's recovery helped set up Wolitarsky's 30-yard TD catch as time expired in the first quarter.

Castillo booted a 32-yard field goal at 8:10 of the second quarter, the Tiger-Cats gave up a safety and Castillo was good again on a 19-yarder to give Winnipeg a 25-point lead at halftime.

The second half didn't start well for Hamilton.

Bombers defensive end Willie Jefferson sacked Mitchell to force a fumble that was recovered by Deatrick Nichols.

Winnipeg turned that turnover into Castillo's 18-yard field goal at 4:51 of the third quarter.

After Flowers-Lloyd and White scored, Oliveira's three-yard run for a major gave Winnipeg a 39-17 lead heading into the fourth.

Edwards and Butler scored just 49 seconds apart, but Castillo hit a late 50-yarder to help seal Winnipeg's win.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2023.