Liegghio hits late field goal to lift Blue Bombers past Redblacks in season opener

Marc Liegghio connected on a 25-yard field with six seconds remaining to lift the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to a 19-17 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks in the season opener for both teams Friday.

Backup quarterback Dru Brown engineered the winning drive after injured starter Zach Collaros left the game with under two minutes remaining.

Collaros was hit while running for a first down and got up slowly. He was removed from the game by an injury spotter.

RCMP officers had carried the Grey Cup onto the field prior to kickoff, setting up the unveiling of the Bombers' 2021 Grey Cup banner to loud cheers from the 26,002 fans.

Collaros completed 18 of 26 pass attempts for 188 yards and one touchdown.

Jeremiah Masoli made his Redblacks debut after signing with Ottawa (0-1) in February following his release by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He was 24 for 34 for 380 yards with one TD and one interception.

Brady Oliveira made his first start as Winnipeg's No. 1 running back and had 10 carries for 17 yards.

It was the first meeting between the Bombers and Redblacks since Paul LaPolice, who left his position as Bombers offensive coordinator after the team's 2019 Grey Cup victory, took the head coaching job in Ottawa.

Shaquille Johnson had a TD reception for Ottawa. Lewis Ward made three field goals from 17, 39 and 43 yards and was good on one convert. Winnipeg (1-0) also conceded a single.

Winnipeg got touchdowns from receiver Greg Ellingson and backup quarterback Dakota Prukop. Liegghio also made a 20-yard field goal and one convert.

The game was tied 7-7 after the first quarter. Ottawa led 11-10 at halftime and 14-10 after the third.

A broken play helped set up the game's first touchdown.

Collaros was under pressure and scrambled, then