Need to Know | August 31

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Need to Know | August 31 - Ed Tait

...The Blue Bombers will face their arch-rival Roughriders in three of the next four games - this weekend's Labour Day Classic in Regina, followed by the Banjo Bowl at IG Field on September 10th and then a return visit by the green men on September 30th.

"Obviously it?s something exciting for the fans in both provinces," said quarterback Zach Collaros. "Its definitely going to be a physical football game. Going out there is never easy because it's loud and you have to work on the silent counts and all those different things. There will be a lot of adrenaline, a lot of enthusiasm early on.

"It's quite the atmosphere whether we're there or back here for the Banjo Bowl, so it's going to be exciting."

The Blue Bombers can become the first team to clinch a playoff spot with a win this weekend and has already reached double-digit wins for a sixth consecutive season (2016-19, 2021-22), tying a franchise record first set from 1957-62.

The big news from Bomberland as the club returned to practice on Wednesday was the return to work of some massively important pieces as safety Brandon Alexander and centre Michael Couture were both back after long stints on the injured list. Also returning were safeties Malcolm Thompson and Noah Hallett, receiver Brendan O'Leary-Orange and offensive tackle Drew Richmond, as well as running back Brady Oliveira, who didn't finish last Thursday's win over the Calgary Stampeders.

Not participating were receivers Greg Ellingson and Janarion Grant, and cornerback Demerio Houston, whose spot in the secondary was filled by Jamal Parker. But the return of so many from sick bay provided a lift in a week in which the club began preparation for the biggest regular season road trip of the year.

"What's really neat is having all the guys see those guys come back on (the field) and take reps," said head coach Mike O'Shea. "All the guys practising can witness all the guys on the sideline working for months on end with possibly not a clear timeline or window or end game right there. So, when they finally step on the field and get to take practice reps everybody really appreciates their effort."

More on the Blue Bombers first practice session leading up to the Labour Day Classic in this week's 'NEED TO KNOW'