Today, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will compete in their second pre-season game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, after their loss to the Elks on Friday, May 27. The Blue Bombers will be looking to start the regular season off on a positive note. The two teams have played against each other 17 times dating back to 2004 when the Blue Bombers beat the Rough Riders by three points.
Key players to watch:
Quarterbacks Dru Brown and Dakota Prukop
Prukop and Brown are battling for the backup position behind CFL All-Star and Most Outstanding Player Zach Collaros. The two were spilling time in the first game. Brown played in the first and third quarters while Prukop played in the second and fourth quarters, which will most likely be the same format for this week’s game.
“There’s a lot to learn from,” said Prukop in a chat with bluebombers.com after practice Sunday. “It was great getting out there with the guys and I really cherish the reps I got with the ones and start to build some chemistry with those guys. That’s a difficult thing to do because it takes time, but it’s good to build some camaraderie there.
“There were some good things that I can take from it going forward, some things I learned from, like the two picks I threw in that game.”
Running Backs Shane Simpson, Kyle Borsa, Greg McCrae
The Bombers are currently looking for a number three to back up Brady Oliveria and Johnny Augustine. Shane Simpson will be making his first appearance with the Blue Bombers, but the team will not be specifically looking for him to make an impact in the run game. Simpson’s niche is in the return game. At Townson University Simpson had 2,080 yards on kickoff returns, and touchdowns.
Kyle Borsa and Greg McCrae did play in Friday’s games against the Elks and will be looking to improve upon their performance and get the nod for the number three spot.
Kickers Marc Lieghghio and Ali Mourtada
The kicker position has been a big topic for head coach Mike O’Shea.
“Ali was unbelievable today,” Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said after the final day of rookie camp at the University of Manitoba.
“As I said to him, it can be colder and it can be rainy, but in terms of the wind, that was as challenging a wind day as you’re gonna find. He made a very high percentage of his kicks and he looked good doing it. I thought that was an awesome day.”
Neither Lieghghio nor Mourtada attempted a field goal, but the pair did take snaps during kickoff and punts.
