Chris Streveler to take lead as Bombers host Lions

Chris Streveler will find himself under center on Thursday as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers begin their season against the BC Lions in Regina.

Fully recovered from a ligament injury in his knee, Streveler is getting the start with fellow quarterback Zach Collaros suspended for the game after failing to respond to a request for an offseason drug test.

"My perspective on the game is a little different," Streveler said, per the Winnipeg Sun. "My appreciation for these opportunities, getting to start games, getting to play the game in general, I just appreciate it that much more."

The Blue Bombers (2024: 11-7, West Division champions) begin their season with a home-and-home series against the Lions (1-0). The teams will play in Vancouver on June 21.

Winnipeg also is playing its first game of consequence since falling to the Toronto Argonauts in the Grey Cup.

While Collaros threw four interceptions in that encounter, Brady Oliveira scored a touchdown to cap off a season in which he won Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian honors. Oliveira led the CFL in rushing yards (1,353) and yards from scrimmage (1,829) for the second straight season.

The Lions got off on the right foot last Saturday by cruising to a 31-14 victory over the visiting Edmonton Elks.

Nathan Rourke completed 27 of 36 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 54 yards in the win.

No sooner had the dust settled on that game than Rourke started to look ahead to the upcoming double dip against the Blue Bombers.

"What Winnipeg did really well in the last five years when (Lions head coach Buck Pierce) was there is they embraced the growth over a season," the 27-year-old Rourke said, per The Province. "That's something I'm trying to do this year and take every game as a learning experience. It will be a process throughout the year.

"I'm committed to the approach. The last couple of years as an organization we've started really well but not afterwards. Obviously, you want to play well twice against Winnipeg, but I really want to focus on peaking later on. And there's a lot of want around here, which is good."

Justin McInnis, who led the CFL in receiving yards last season, totaled five catches and a touchdown in the season opener.

--Field Level Media