Official Game Day Thread - Winnipeg at Saskatchewan, August 31, 2025

[ModAdmin]

History doesn't mean very much, especially when the Blue Bombers love to live in the here and now.

The Riders appear to be favoured in Sunday's game but the Bombers have faced similar situations and have been the superior team.

Ed Tait, in his 48-Hour Primer, talks about some of that history and the Bomber resolve when it comes to the Labour Day Classic...

https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/08/29/48-hour-primer-labour-day-classic-2/

Some interesting footnotes/results in previous LDC games...

"TRENDS, BIG WINS, BLOWOUT LOSSES, NAILBITERS

This will be the 60th LDC held in Regina. Some background:

    The Blue Bombers have won three of the last four LDC, the lone loss in that stretch a 32-30 loss in OT in 2023. Prior to that the Riders owned Labour Day, with an 11-game winning streak from 2005-15 and having won 14 of 15 over a stretch from 2005-19.

    Winnipeg's biggest LDC win was a 31-point victory in 1997 (43-12)

    Some of the Blue Bombers most lopsided losses have occurred in the LDC, including a 52-0 loss in 2012 — the first game after Paul LaPolice had been fired — another 52-point loss in 1995 (56-4) and a 44-point loss in 1990 (55-11).

    A dozen LDCs have been decided by a field goal or less, including four of the last five.

    Zach Collaros is 7-1 in his career in Labour Day starts, including his days in Hamilton and Saskatchewan. That ties him with Bo Levi Mitchell for the most wins by a quarterback in LDC starts.



More game news and depth charts tomorrow.  Let's Go Bombers!

[GOLDMEMBER]

60th eh! That is cool.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

No Kramdi or Adams on D. Not good. Demski and Schoen on offense is good though. Looks like the load management is off Lawson. He's going to need to play a ton to make the Lawson, Schmekel and Thomas all Canadian interior work.

[Jesse]

No Kramdi or Adams on D. Not good. Demski and Schoen on offense is good though. Looks like the load management is off Lawson. He's going to need to play a ton to make the Lawson, Schmekel and Thomas all Canadian interior work.

No Adams on D?

[Jesse]

omg, and still no Houston?!?!

[peg_city]

We really should accept that we are going to take the L this week.

Adjust your expectations and understand the riders will probably win by two touchdowns. They will really want this game, it's the LDC, they are at home and we have injury issues.

[peg_city]

https://static.cfl.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/WINNIPEG-at-SASKATCHEWAN_AUGUST-31.pdf

Depth Chart

No Houston.

Schoen and Demiski are in.

Cam Allen starts at Safety.

Two Canadians at DT (Lawson/Thomas).

[Sir Blue and Gold]

omg, and still no Houston?!?!

Vaval has been really good on the boundary. Unless he has a clunker I'm not sure how you move him out of there. Plus he's the best returner we have so he does double duty. Lawson over Houston at field is interesting.

[Blue In BC]

What the heck, something is wrong at multiple levels.

No Houston, No Woods, No Makonzo

So Cobb was added due to Kramdi being moved to 1 game IR. Woodbey added due to Adams being moved to PR.

Woodbey? Are we serious that we needed another LB?  J. Jones also moved to PR but I'm not sure if that happened this week and not last week? Will he get any reps on defence? I'd take that Griffin moves to SAM, so perhaps Woodbey takes on his previous role.

Choices aside, I don't get why a player like Makonzo practices at " full " and is not considered to be added especially when Kramdi is moved to IR. Because he was extended to a 2nd sting on 6 game IR, I thought he was eligible to come off and NOT have any of his SMs charged? Perhaps I'm incorrect. Regardless, is he ever going to play?

Previously I questioned why some injured players go on 1 game IR when it's clear they can't practice. Now that same question falls to Parker who will miss his 4th game and cannot practice. Makes zero sense when he needed crutches after his injury. Wasn't that enough info to 6 game IR him immediately?

Both Adams and Woods have been demoted to PR in recent weeks. Doesn't that suggest it's time to bring in a new candidate for the PR and cut one or the other?

WOW. That's all else I can say.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

What the heck, something is wrong at multiple levels. One Canadian and one import off the roster with no apparent additions mentioned.

No Houston, No Woods, No Makonzo

Three off and three on.

Kramdi, Sterns, Adams off.

Woodbey, Schoen, Cobb on.

[Jesse]

Vaval has been really good on the boundary. Unless he has a clunker I'm not sure how you move him out of there. Plus he's the best returner we have so he does double duty. Lawson over Houston at field is interesting.

Never expected Vaval to be moved.

[RebusRankin]

That all Canadian DT rotation is brutal. Would be much better having Adams or Woods or both in.

[Pete]

some strange moves/nonmoves
Houston not in - ok maybes he's not ready yet the coaches would know, but who's the back up db if lawson gets torched or for injury? Kelly? (shuddering)
Woodbey in adams out.. I really liked him but unless were going for a 4 3 defense how do we go with only 7 down linemen,,they will be gassed by the 4th qtr. most teams go with 8 or 9
Adams hasn't done a much in recent games and was often being rotated out, but the lack of confidence in Woods means we better bring in some dts and soon. It also means that on a lot of sets we will be running with two nonimports on the line.
Cobbs in for Corcacon I like at least he has some speed. Corcaron was a good story that just didnt work in prime time.
the roster decisions are strange and throws into suspect our recruiting/pr

[BBRT]

History doesn't mean very much, especially when the Blue Bombers love to live in the here and now.

The Riders appear to be favoured in Sunday's game but the Bombers have faced similar situations and have been the superior team.

Ed Tait, in his 48-Hour Primer, talks about some of that history and the Bomber resolve when it comes to the Labour Day Classic...

https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/08/29/48-hour-primer-labour-day-classic-2/

Some interesting footnotes/results in previous LDC games...

"TRENDS, BIG WINS, BLOWOUT LOSSES, NAILBITERS

This will be the 60th LDC held in Regina. Some background:

    The Blue Bombers have won three of the last four LDC, the lone loss in that stretch a 32-30 loss in OT in 2023. Prior to that the Riders owned Labour Day, with an 11-game winning streak from 2005-15 and having won 14 of 15 over a stretch from 2005-19.

    Winnipeg's biggest LDC win was a 31-point victory in 1997 (43-12)

    Some of the Blue Bombers most lopsided losses have occurred in the LDC, including a 52-0 loss in 2012 — the first game after Paul LaPolice had been fired — another 52-point loss in 1995 (56-4) and a 44-point loss in 1990 (55-11).

    A dozen LDCs have been decided by a field goal or less, including four of the last five.

    Zach Collaros is 7-1 in his career in Labour Day starts, including his days in Hamilton and Saskatchewan. That ties him with Bo Levi Mitchell for the most wins by a quarterback in LDC starts.



More game news and depth charts tomorrow.  Let's Go Bombers!

Not going to expect a win tomorrow. Hope the Bombers can keep the game a little interesting and not get blown out early. In looking at the starting line up I have to really wonder about our recruiting this year. From what I can see with the ins and outs this is a very weak defense with not much talent there. Hopefully optimistic but this one may not be very close.

[Blue In BC]

It sounds simple. Win the back to back against the Riders and we're back in the fight for 1st and 2nd. Lose the season series and we'll be fighting for 3rd and / or a crossover.

This game sets the table one way or another. Winning the 1st of 3 games gives us a better chance to win the series.

As mentioned, losing and losing potentially in a blow out and the questioning of recruitment and coaching comes into the light.

This is depressing. Prove me wrong please.