Reeling Roughriders stumble into Banjo Bowl battle with Bombers

Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros is prepared to make some noise in the Banjo Bowl on Saturday afternoon.

Collaros exited Sunday's 35-33 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the second quarter after receiving a helmet-to-helmet hit from Miles Brown. The two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player did not return to the field that day in Regina, however he participated in practice Wednesday and was declared available for the rematch against the Roughriders in Winnipeg.

"It is what it is," Collaros told reporters. "It happened. It's in the past now.

"Obviously, I had to come out of the game. With my history of head injuries, as you guys know, it's well documented, and the neck issues that I've had, we usually err on the side of caution. So, the doctor at that time felt comfortable doing that. And I wasn't really in a position to fight with him. He is the doctor, right?"

Collaros was off to a fast start in the Labor Day Classic, throwing for 218 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. Chris Streveler replaced Collaros and guided the West Division co-leading Blue Bombers (6-6) to their fourth win a in row.

The Roughriders (5-6-1) are now 0-5-1 since a 19-9 victory against Winnipeg on July 19.

The recent results are sitting well with some Saskatchewan players.

"We're frustrated for sure. Looking for some payback, you know, they came into our house and did that and we have to go into theirs and do the same," Roughriders offensive lineman Logan Ferland told CTV News on Wednesday.

Trevor Harris completed 30 of 49 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns for Saskatchewan on Sunday. It was his fourth 300-yard game in six starts this season.

Recent history in the Banjo Bowl hasn't been kind to the Roughriders. Saskatchewan has been on the business end of lopsided results in each of the last four Banjo Bowls, including a 51-6 drubbing last season.

--Field Level Media