Zach Collaros was so annoyed after final weekend’s 32-26 additional time loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders that he compelled himself to carry his feelings in examine.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers veteran quarterback solely talked for lower than 50 seconds in his post-game media interview, with most of his solutions being that he had to have a look at the movie earlier than commenting.
Saskatchewan quarterback Trevor Harris was requested earlier this week whether or not he had seen the footage. He hadn’t, however mentioned he’d heard about it and understood Collaros’s frustration as he’s been in his footwear after a loss.
Harris mentioned it might make for an fascinating conflict in Saturday afternoon’s Banjo Bowl rematch in Winnipeg in entrance of a sold-out crowd at Princess Auto Stadium.
“It’s on us as a management group to set the tone, and he’s most likely setting the tone of anger and coming again with a vengeance mindset,” Harris mentioned of Collaros to reporters in Regina.
Collaros was requested after Friday’s walk-through follow whether or not Harris’s evaluation was correct.
He acknowledged he had been annoyed by misplaced alternatives, and mentioned he later apologized to a reporter for his quick solutions.
“I feel any time you lose a soccer sport you come again hungrier,” mentioned Collaros, who was sacked thrice within the Labour Day Basic. “That shouldn’t be one thing that should drive you, however it’s a driving drive, for positive.”
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“I feel simply the actual fact you’re in a position to play an opponent that simply took it to you, that’s a whole lot of motivation proper there.”
The Blue Bombers (6-6) tied the sport as time expired in regulation on Dorian Singer’s five-yard landing catch. As an alternative of going for the two-point convert, head coach Mike O’Shea despatched Sergio Castillo out as well the tying convert.
Saskatchewan (8-4) received the ball first in additional time and scored on backup quarterback Tommy Stevens’ third TD of the sport, however Harris failed to attach on the two-point try. Winnipeg sputtered with its possession.
Collaros accomplished 27 of 40 go makes an attempt for 279 yards with two TDs and no interceptions. Harris was 23-of-33 passing for 362 yards with a pair of TDs and no picks.
One factor that’s boosted Collaros’s spirits this week is the return of dependable receiver Nic Demski, who missed the final sport with an ankle damage.
Collaros gave Demski a bear hug and mentioned, “Simply comfortable he’s round,” when he walked by Demski Friday as he was being interviewed.
Demski smiled after the embrace, saying he’s feeling good and able to return to motion. He watched final Sunday’s sport from the sideline and mentioned he felt a spread of feelings.
“It was a great hard-fought battle,” Demski mentioned. “We simply didn’t play as much as our normal and Saskatchewan performed a great sport.”
Winnipeg took a time-count violation within the match, because of the loud sold-out crowd at Mosaic Stadium. Demski believes Bomber followers will reciprocate.
“I’m positive the noise shall be an enormous issue,” Demski mentioned. “The followers all the time do an incredible job popping out right here and supporting us and simply ensuring to make it as robust as doable on the opposite workforce.”
Harris isn’t nervous in regards to the hostile crowd.
“It’s superior,” he mentioned. “I really feel just like the extra chaotic an setting is, the extra calm I get.”
The Bombers have 4 adjustments to final week’s roster, together with Demski returning and receiver Ontaria Wilson out with a hand damage from the final sport. Security Redha Kramdi is again after lacking six video games with a hand damage suffered July 19, whereas linebacker Jaiden Woodbey is sitting with a hamstring damage.
Saskatchewan has one key change, swapping placekicker Alex Hale for Dawson Hodge. Hale was one-for-three on area targets final sport, whereas Castillo related on all 4 of his tries for the Bombers.
Kramdi is taken into account the quarterback of Winnipeg’s defence. The six-year veteran was on the sideline final sport giving the defensive indicators.
“It seems like I haven’t performed soccer this 12 months, it’s been so lengthy. Tremendous comfortable to be again,” he mentioned.
A few of Kramdi’s observations have included the defence’s missed tackles. He mentioned a part of the explanation could be “fatigue” as among the gamers additionally play particular groups.
He hopes his presence on the sector will change the ambiance a bit.
“Simply convey some calmness to my teammates on defence,” Kramdi mentioned. “In the event that they take a look at me and so they can really feel some kind of consolation that we’re going to discover a answer no matter what the offence throws at us.”
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