Oliveira stars as Blue Bombers defeat winless Redblacks

Brady Oliveira, despite being a game-time decision due to an ankle injury, dominated the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday night, powering the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to a crucial 33-21 victory. Oliveira amassed 154 total yards, including 74 rushing yards on 11 carries with a touchdown, and added 80 receiving yards on eight catches. His performance was instrumental in getting the Blue Bombers back into the win column, pushing their record to 5-4.

Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea lauded Oliveira's effort, calling him a "beast" and highlighting his ability to gain first downs when the team needed them most. "The bench can feel it, it ignites them," O'Shea stated, emphasizing the running back's impact on team morale. The win marked a significant turnaround for Winnipeg, contrasting sharply with the Redblacks' continued struggles. Ottawa's loss dropped them to an abysmal 0-9 record, extending their losing streak to 15 consecutive games dating back to the previous season.

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There was a couple of conversions he had, where he puts the team on his back and willing his team to a first down. It’s exceptional.

The Blue Bombers established their dominance particularly in the second quarter, scoring 20 points. This surge included rushing touchdowns from both Oliveira and third-string quarterback Bryce Perkins, alongside two field goals from Sergio Castillo, one of which was a 56-yarder as time expired in the first half. Although Ottawa managed to stay in contention for much of the game, Perkins sealed the victory with his second touchdown of the night late in the fourth quarter.

While the Blue Bombers' defense improved against the run, allowing only 27 rushing yards, they struggled against the Redblacks' passing game, giving up 314 yards. Quarterback Zach Collaros, returning from a month-long absence, had a solid outing with 222 passing yards but faced pressure, being sacked four times and briefly leaving the game after a hard hit. The Blue Bombers will look to continue their momentum on the road against the Edmonton Elks next Friday.

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The bench can feel it, it ignites them.