The Blue Bombers secured their franchise-record fourth straight Grey Cup appearance with a 24-13 victory over the B.C. Lions in the CFL West Division final. Star running back Brady Oliveira rushed for 109 yards and scored a touchdown, while Nick Hallett blocked a punt and scored a touchdown to help propel the Blue Bombers to victory.
Winnipeg will now face Montreal in the 110th Grey Cup on Nov. 19 in Hamilton after the Alouettes upset the Toronto Argonauts 38-17 in the East final. The Bombers will aim for a third championship in four appearances after losing the title game last year to the Argonauts, with previous wins in 2021 and 2019.
Quarterback Zach Collaros completed 14 of 21 pass attempts for 158 yards with no interceptions, leading the team in front of a fifth straight sellout of 32,343 fans at IG Field. The Lions’ Vernon Adams Jr. was sacked nine times and was 13-of-25 passing for 221 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.
A big injury hit the Bombers late in the second quarter when star middle linebacker Adam Bighill left the field and did not return. Oliveira scored a touchdown on an eight-yard run, pushed the final few yards by the offensive line. Sergio Castillo connected on field goals and missed attempts, while Lions receiver Justin McInnis caught a 45-yard touchdown pass.
Winnipeg led 7-3 after the first quarter, 18-10 at halftime, and 18-13 after the third. Oliveira was a standout in Winnipeg’s first drive, and Hallett’s touchdown after blocking punter Stefan Flintoft boosted Winnipeg’s lead.
The game ended with a 24-13 victory for the Blue Bombers after a series of field goals and interceptions in the final quarter.