Blue Bombers grind out 26-11 victory over Redblacks to snap three-game slide

By Canadian Press on September 20, 2025.

OTTAWA — Trey Vaval returned a missed field goal 128 yards for a touchdown early in the second quarter as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers road their defence and special teams to pick up a 26-18 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks that snapped a three-game losing streak Saturday.

The Bombers (7-7) capitalized on that missed field goal, two interceptions and a fumble to take the season series 2-0 and move into third in the CFL’s West Division.

Winnipeg got the win despite starting quarterback Chris Streveler completing just 3-of-8 passes for 54 yards and one interception. He also rushed for 72 yards and one touchdown.

The loss is massive blow in the playoff race for Ottawa (4-10) with only four games remaining on its schedule.

Dru Brown, making his return after missing the last three games with an injury, finished 33-for-45 for 406 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Sergei Castillo hit field goals from 37, 35 and 23 yards out in the fourth quarter for Winnipeg. Lewis Ward missed two of his three attempts for Ottawa.

Vaval returned Ward’s other miss 71 yards to finish with a CFL record 199 off those two kicks.

After a lacklustre first quarter, the Bombers swung momentum in the second to take a 17-8 halftime lead. Winnipeg capitalized on a failed 43-yard field goal attempt with Vaval returning it the length of the field for a touchdown that tied the game 7-7 early in the second quarter.

Winnipeg took the lead 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 strung together a seven-play, 85-yard march capped by a nine-yard touchdown pass to Braelon Addison on the game’s first drive just their third opening-quarter TD of the season.

The Redblacks opened the second half with a 23-yard field goal and closed the game with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Kalil Pimpleton that only impacted the box score.

UP NEXT

The Blue Bombers host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats next Saturday.

The 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