Brown Ignites Offence in Relief, As Bombers Clinch Playoff Berth

VANCOUVER -- Dru Brown came in late in the third quarter and ignited the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, as they scored 31 unanswered points to clinch a playoff spot and defeat the BC Lions 34-10 at BC Place Friday.

The Blue Bombers needed a win in Week 21 to book a spot in the playoffs, and had last missed the playoffs back in 2015. It was not looking good early as the offence was stumbling and the Bombers trailed 10-3 with two minutes left in the third quarter.

Zach Collaros was hounded by a Lions' defence that was resting some of their starters, but still had key pieces like Darnell Sankey and Parker McKenna flying around. Collaros went nine-for-20 with 105 yards through the air and an interception before exiting the game late in the third quarter after a late hit.

Brown came in for relief after the knock to Collaros and ignited the offence instantly with a 51-yard dart, the longest play of the game, to Dorian Singer. Brown went three-for-three on the first drive for 90 yards and capped it off with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Singer. The Bombers' backup signal caller stayed in the game and finished a perfect 11-for-11 with 185 yards passing and two touchdown throws.

Tim White was the top targeted receiver for the Bombers, but Singer gained the most yards. White had seven receptions for 99 yards, while Singer brought in all four of his targets for 119 yards and a touchdown.

Brady Oliveira broke through for a 63-yard touchdown run on the Blue Bombers' first offensive play in the fourth quarter. Oliveira added another score late in the fourth quarter, taking his totals for the night to 15 carries for 149 yards and two scores.

It was a sloppy, defence-focused first half with both teams forcing two-plus turnovers and only 13 points being scored. The teams combined for just 269 yards of offence in the opening half with both defences flying around.

Major Williams had a key red zone interception after the Lions forced a turnover-on-downs on a third-down stop in Bombers' territory late in the first quarter. Williams would add a second pick in the fourth quarter off Lions third-string quarterback Chris Oladukon.

The BC Lions rested most of their offensive starters as their playoff spot was already guaranteed, but kept the majority of their defence intact, and they showed up big early. Stanley Thomas-Oliver halted a Winnipeg drive destined for points after recovering a muffed punt in Lions' territory, with an interception of Collaros in the Lions' end zone in the second quarter.

Kaidon Salter was pulled from the game late in the third quarter as the Lions did not want any injury risks for their backup quarterback. Salter did not have quite the success he had back in Week 9 against this same Bombers team. The Liberty and Colorado University product went 12-for-21, throwing for 177 yards and was limited to just 11 yards rushing on two attempts. Salter had one touchdown pass and an interception.

Salter came out of the gates hot going three-for-three for 79 yards to lead the Lions into the end zone on their first drive, finishing it off with a 36-yard touchdown pass to rookie Nate Demontagnac, his first in the CFL. The University of North Dakota wideout brought in three of his six targets for 49 yards and a touchdown. Jermaine Jackson had the team high in yards, bringing in seven of his 13 targets for 69 yards receiving.

Oladukon, formerly on the Kansas City Chiefs, entered the game late in the third quarter for the Lions. Oladukon did not do much in his limited run as he finished the night seven-for-11 for 48 yards passing and an interception.

The Blue Bombers win ends the Calgary Stampeders season as they had a Week 21 bye and were watching on at home, needing a Lions win to continue their season.

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SCORING PLAYS

• Kaidon Salter 36-yard touchdown pass to Nate Demontagnac (13:00, Q1) | WPG 0 BC 7

• Sergio Castillo 40-yard field goal (01:57, Q2) | WPG 3 BC 7

• Sean Whyte 48-yard field goal (00:16, Q2) | WPG 3 BC 10

• Dru Brown 30-yard touchdown pass to Dorian Singer (01:37, Q3) | WPG 10 BC 10

• Brady Oliveira 63-yard touchdown run (14:05, Q4) | WPG 17 BC 10

• Dru Brown six-yard touchdown pass to Nic Demski (06:23, Q4) | WPG 24 BC 10

• Sergio Castillo 15-yard field goal (02:15, Q4) | WPG 27 BC 10

• Brady Oliveira four-yard touchdown (01:28, Q4) | WPG 34 BC 10

UP NEXT

The BC Lions will host the Western Semi-Final next week at BC Place. They await the result between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Edmonton Elks to see if they will play the Roughriders or have a rematch against these Blue Bombers.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers clinched a postseason berth, but also await the result between the Roughriders and Elks Saturday. The Blue Bombers will either travel west to Vancouver to play the Lions in the Western Semi-Final or crossover and head East to face the Toronto Argonauts in the Eastern Semi-Final.