(Hamilton) Zach Collaros is on a roll.
The veteran USA is 15-2 since becoming the starting quarterback for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2019.
That year, he helped the team end a long food shortage without winning the Gray Cup. On Sunday, against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the Manitoba squad could become the first team since 2010 to successfully defend their CFL title.
And on Friday night, Collaros is expected to be voted the MVP in the league. This would be an intoxicating ending for a player whose career was disrupted by injuries and doubts before he was traded to the Blue Bombers in October 2019.
“When he got into the building, he immediately got involved in the meeting. He knew how to approach his teammates during the meeting. He listened a lot, which we knew he would do, ”said Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea.
“I doubt any other player could have come up and done that. […] I’m not sure another guy could have fitted in so easily and done the job. ”
Now 33, Collaros was traded from the Toronto Argonauts to the Blue Bombers in October 2019, ahead of the deadline to complete trades in the CFL.
The Blue Bombers became his third team that year. He started the season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, but suffered a concussion in the opening game against the Tiger-Cats.
The Roughriders put Collaros’ name on the injured reserve list for six games, but with the rise of reservist Cody Fajardo, they traded him to the Argonauts on July 31. However, even though he had received the green light from the medics, Collaros never took part in a single game with the Argonauts.
In his first game with the Blue Bombers, which was their last of the season, Collaros threw two touchdown passes in a 29-28 win over the Calgary Stampeders.
He then led the Blue Bombers (11-7) to away wins in playoff games against the Stampeders (35-14) and Roughriders (20-13) and then to a Gray Cup final showdown. facing the Tiger-Cats.
The latter were the favorites to win the trophy after posting a 15-3 record in the season. The Blue Bombers won their first Gray Cup since 1990, however, by a score of 33-12.
The Blue Bombers did not slow down when activities resumed in the CFL in August, posting an 11-3 record, the best in the league.
Collaros completed 243 of 346 passes he attempted (70.2%) for gains of 3,185 yards. He had 20 touchdown passes, a CFL-high, and suffered just six interceptions.
“I was very lucky to play with several great organizations, including the one in this city (Hamilton) which was really special,” said Collaros, while saying that his experience with the Blue Bombers has been his most satisfying so far. now.
Collaros spent four seasons with the Tiger-Cats (2014-17) and led the team to the Gray Cup final in his first year.
He was traded to the Roughriders on January 3, 2018.