Wild wind pushes Bombers into West final with win over Alouettes

Author of the article:

Jim Bender, Klein Media, Winnipeg Sun

Published Oct 26, 2024  •  3 minute read

Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo, centre facing, celebrates his game winning field goal with teammates over the Montreal Alouettes during second half CFL football action in Montreal on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. Photo by Christinne Muschi /The Canadian Press

Sergio Castillo booted the Blue Bombers into the CFL West Final.

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The Winnipeg placekicker connected on a 51-yard field goal on the last play of the game to give the Bombers a 28-27 victory over the Alouettes at Percival Molson Stadium in Montreal in the final regular-season game of the season for both clubs on Saturday.

“He always makes the game-winners, man,” Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros told CJOB. “We’re always confident in Serge … Any time the game’s on the line, we know that Serge is going to come through.”

The Bombers finish the season with an 11-7 record to finish first in the West and will play the winner of the semifinal between the B.C. Lions and Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina next weekend in the final on Nov. 9.

The Alouettes, who finish the season at 12-5-1, will host the East Final against the winner of the semifinal between the Ottawa Redblacks and Argonauts in Toronto next Saturday.

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The Bombers took advantage of Joe Zema’s shanked punt into gale-force winds that suddenly picked up in the waning moments. The ball travelled only 26 yards and landed inside the Montreal 50. Two plays later, Castillo kicked the game-winner.

“It was kind of like the Wizard of Oz, with the wicked witch, or whatever that was, and it (wind) comes in and (everything) gets blown away,” said Collaros. “It was swirling the entire day. It got really dark and some hail coming down. It was really odd.”

Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea felt for Zema.

“On that last one, it was blowing like crazy out of nowhere,” he said. “It’s pretty neat when, all of a sudden, you see leaves blowing across the entire field and you realize you’re gonna get a (wind-affected drop on the punter) and get a great opportunity on a punt. You can’t bank on that but obviously, it worked out.

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“When he goes to drop the ball, the wind probably blows it offline and then, he has to chase it with his foot and that makes it really difficult. Tough conditions for him to punt on that time, but it worked out for us.”

Collaros completed 24 of 32 passes for 331 yards and one nine-yard touchdown toss to slotback Nic Demski, with no interceptions.

But the Bombers offence had to settle for too many field goal attempts. Castillo hit on five of seven tries and kicked two converts. One of the misses was from 61 yards that just fell short.

Montreal quarterback Cody Fajardo completed 16 of 20 passes for 171 yards and a two-yard touchdown pass to receiver Charleston Rambo, with no picks, before giving way to backup Davis Alexander late in the third quarter. Alexander completed seven of nine passes for 100 yards and scored on a two-yard dive.

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The Bombers were forced to come back from deficits of 20-9 and 27-12 in the second half.

“Obviously, we can play better all around, all three phases,” O’Shea said. “I liked that (punt) return that Lucky (Whitehead) hit right up the middle for a big return (54 yards). I thought he was gonna score, but that was right on time and we scored a touchdown off of that.”

That set up a one-yard TD run by backup Bombers quarterback Terry Wilson, which had pulled Winnipeg to within 27-25. Its two-point convert attempt failed.

“All three phases want to play a little better, but that’s every single game,” O’Shea said.

Montreal running back Walter Fletcher also scored on a three-yard run. Placekicker Jose Maltos kicked two field goals and three converts.

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The Bombers will have a week of rest before preparing to play either the Roughriders or Lions in the final.

“We’ve got to clean it up because it’s never easy,” Collaros said. “We’ve got to take advantage of this time and make sure to get proper rest while staying focused on our next opponent.”

They will be expecting a raucous welcome from their hometown supporters.

“We have the best fans in the league and it should be a lot of fun,” Collaros said. “It always is and obviously, playing less games makes it easier to get to the ultimate goal (Grey Cup Game).”

Both Bombers receivers Nic Demski and Ontaria Wilson cracked the 1,000-yard receiving mark. Demski also extended his game-reception streak to 71 games … Alouettes linebacker Tyrice Beverette passed the 100 mark in defensive tackles this season.

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