Brady Oliveira is ready to be back in the spotlight.
The Blue Bombers running back will make his fourth start of the season in place of the injured Andrew Harris when Winnipeg host the BC Lions on Saturday in a key home team game.
Read more:
Winnipeg Blue Bombers put veteran running back Andrew Harris on the 6-game disabled list
The 9-1 Bombers have won seven straight games and could secure first place in the CFL West Division with a win over the 4-5 Lions, who are on a three-game losing streak.
“With my game early in the season, my soccer IQ has grown, my eyes see things much better in the running game,” Oliveira said after Friday’s run.
“The guys are excited for me and I’m excited to get out there and make some plays.”
Harris was placed on the six-game disabled list Friday after hurting his knee in the second quarter of last week’s 26-16 victory over Edmonton. Oliveira came in and ran 16 times for 105 yards.
Oliveira also started the first three games of the season when Winnipeg-born Harris was out with a calf injury. Oliveira has 61 carries for 300 yards but is not scoring this season.
Head coach Mike O’Shea said the 34-year-old Harris could always be dropped from the six-game roster early, but 24-year-old Oliveria and backup Johnny Augustine are capable replacements.
Read more:
Winnipeg Blue Bombers can clinch first place in the West Division with a win over BC Lions
“Full confidence in Brady and Johnny,” said O’Shea, whose team has a break next week. “Both have shown when they have had their opportunities that they can handle the load.”
BC head coach Rick Campbell has also been impressed by Oliveira.
“It sure looks good when it goes in there,” Campbell said. “The times I’ve seen him there, they don’t seem to miss a beat.”
Some scenarios this weekend, in addition to a win over the Lions, could give the Bombers a home game at IG Field in the West final on December 5.
If BC defeats Winnipeg and Saskatchewan (5-4) loses to Calgary (5-5) on Saturday, the Bombers will continue to take the top spot. The result would also be the same if BC defeated Winnipeg by less than 21 points and the Roughriders defeated the Stampeders.
Despite that bounty right in front of them, the defending Gray Cup champion Bombers weren’t focusing on the playoff stage.
Read more:
Winnipeg Blue Bombers brings back All-Star Winston Rose
“I think it’s important to win every game you’re a part of and treat everyone the same,” Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros said.
The Bombers haven’t lost at home this season (5-0), while the Lions are 3-1 on the road.
Quarterback Michael Reilly said he treats every game like a must win, no matter where the Lions are in the standings.
“I’m not particularly mathematically concerned with what we have to do here or there,” Reilly said. “We have to go out there and play a good game against a division opponent.
“It’s too early to panic about what we have to do this week for the postseason.”
Reilly’s main concern for Saturday is getting his offense going after a 39-10 loss to Calgary last week.
Read more:
Winnipeg Blue Bombers address kicking issues by trading Sergio Castillo
He knows that the Winnipeg defense, which has allowed an average of 12.6 points per game, the lowest in the league, will make it a difficult task.
“They constantly bring all the games, right? I think that’s the most important thing, ”Reilly said.
“Almost every team you play against in this league always has the ability to go out there and have a stellar night. It is difficult to put together every time you enter the field and they have done a great job on it. “
© 2021 The Canadian Press
Reference-globalnews.ca