The Winnipeg Blue Bombers kept many of their starters on the bench during the preseason, and it showed at the start of the regular season.
The Bombers committed three turnovers in their season opener, a 27-12 loss to the Montreal Alouettes in Thursday’s Grey Cup rematch at Princess Motorsports Arena.
This was the first time the Bombers had started a season with a loss since 2018 and their fourth home loss since 2018.
The Bombers had just 284 net yards of offense, more than 80 of which came on the Bombers' final possession when the game was already decided.
Head coach Mike O'Shea took the blame for his side's failure to get ready for the start of the season.
“I don’t know if I prepared them well enough,” O’Shea said. “Just that step that was missing, a little bit of football awareness during the game. I think we could have done a better job. I could have prepared them better. Those last couple practices in training camp probably could have been different.
“I’m more mad at myself because I probably could have seen this coming and didn’t do enough.”
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But O'Shea still has no regrets about resting many of his starters in pre-season.
“I don’t think the veteran group really has to play,” he said. “I don’t know that I’d change my mind about that.”
Alvette receiver Tyson Philpot had two touchdowns for 141 yards receiving, while Alvette quarterback Cody Fajardo threw for 254 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Quarterback Zach Collaros had a poor performance, completing just 20 of 33 passes for 209 yards. He also had one interception and two sacks.
“I definitely wish I could have played better,” Collaros said. “I have to do better for us. We're going to improve.”
Collaros did not play once in the preseason, his first game since the 110th Grey Cup in November.
“You never want to panic after a game,” Collaros said. “We have to continue to commit to each other day by day that you're going to get better no matter what that means for you. Everybody has to look in the mirror, man, and come out here tomorrow and be critical of the game.”
Running back Brady Oliveira had just 38 rushing yards. Dalton Schoen was the Bombers’ leading receiver with five catches and 62 rushing yards. Johnny Augustine scored their only touchdown with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter to make the score slightly better.
The Bombers' offense and special teams looked especially rusty. New returner Myron Mitchell fumbled a punt return that led to a touchdown by the Alouettes on the next play. They didn't get much going as veteran kicker Sergio Castillo missed two field goal attempts and a converted field goal in the game.
“It's only Week 1,” defensive end Willie Jefferson said. “We've got a long season ahead of us. We don't usually lose a lot of games at home, so just hang in there. We're going to get better.”
Bombers receiver Kenny Lawler had to leave the game in the first half with an upper-body injury.
Since 2018, Winnipeg is 37-4 at home.
The Bombers will once again look for their first win next Thursday in a Week 2 matchup against the Ottawa Redblacks.
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