OTTAWA — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers didn’t dominate Saturday afternoon, but Trey Vaval’s 128-yard missed field goal return for a touchdown gave them the spark they needed in a 26-18 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks.
“I see people coming at me, I see this and that, but it’s just like catch it, secure it, protect the ball, trust your blockers,” said Vaval on his thought process on the key play. “My blockers did an amazing job, they always do, and then just look at the grass. Watch grass.”
The Redblacks (4-10) strung together a seven-play, 85-yard march capped by a nine-yard touchdown pass to Braelon Addison on the game’s first drive to take a 7-0 lead and appeared poised to make it a 10-point spread when Lewis Ward missed a 43-yard field goal attempt and Vaval took it all the way back.
With Richie Leone out of town for his mother’s funeral Noah Gettman took over the holding duties, but Ward, who has now missed eight on the season, took full responsibility.
“The guys came in and did what they needed to do, and I just didn’t execute on my end,” said Ward. “It’s just a bad day to have a bad day.”
Ward also missed a 47-yard attempt, which Vaval returned for 71 yards in the third quarter, setting a CFL record for most return yards (199) on missed field goals.
“In a game like today, those kicks were huge,” added Ward. “And they were definitely a contributing factor to us, or me, not helping us win today.”
In comparison Sergio Castillo was a perfect 4-for-4, including field goals from 37, 35 and 23 yards out in the fourth quarter for Winnipeg. Ward’s lone completion was a 23-yard field goal early in the second half.
The win allowed the Bombers (7-7) to move into third in the CFL’s West Division.
“It was a great spark by Trey and then it just sort of took off,” said Winnipeg head coach Mike O’Shea. “We took the ball away a few more times. Offence moved it. We kicked some field goals, whatever, it’s all good.”
The Bombers relied heavily on their run game Saturday. Chris Streveler, in for the injured Zach Collaros, completed just 3-of-8 passes for 54 yards and one interception. He rushed for 72 yards and one touchdown.
Dru Brown, who returned from a knee injury, finished 33-for-45 for 406 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
“At the end of the day, you know, you have to find ways to win,” said Brown. “It’s going to look different every week and we haven’t been able to do that.”
The loss could severely impact Ottawa’s playoff chances with just four games remaining.
Redblacks head coach Bob Dyce couldn’t help but think of the missed opportunities.
“You can have as many yards as you want to, you need to put the ball where it needs to be and you need to get it into the end zone,” said Dyce.
Winnipeg took the lead early in the second quarter on a Cam Allen interception that set the Bombers up on Ottawa’s 43. Streveler punched in a one-yard TD run to make it 14-7 three plays later.
The Bombers extended their lead in the dying seconds of the half after Ottawa returner DeVonte Dedmon fumbled a punt return, allowing Winnipeg to recover on Ottawa’s 38. Streveler gained a couple yards to set up Castillo’s 44-yard effort.
The Redblacks closed the game with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Kalil Pimpleton that only impacted the box score.
UP NEXT
Blue Bombers: Host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday, Sept. 27.
Redblacks: Will have their third and final bye week.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 20, 2025.
Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press
