Vaval boosts Blue Bombers in 40-31 win over Argonauts

Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Trey Vaval (23) celebrates his punt return for a touchdown against the Toronto Argonauts with Willie Jefferson (5) during first half CFL action in Winnipeg, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Greenslade

WINNIPEG — Trey Vaval told himself to relax before playing his seventh CFL game on Friday.

The Blue Bombers rookie did that in his head, but not with his feet.

The defensive back from Montana dazzled a sold-out crowd when he returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown and followed up with a 97-yard punt return for a major that helped Winnipeg snap a three-game CFL losing streak with a 40-31 victory over the Toronto Argonauts.

“(I was like), ‘Man, just buy in, just believe and trust God and don’t stress,’” Vaval said. “Cause like, this is a stressful game, especially as a rookie.

“I’m out there being the returner and I don’t want to mess up. I’m carrying the organization in my hands when I have that ball. So, I just kind of relaxed today, trusted my blockers and hit the hole.”

His first and second touchdowns of the CFL season impressed his teammates and the Argonauts.

“Defence stepped up for us huge there down the stretch,” said Blue Bombers quarterback Chris Streveler, who started in place of injured Zach Collaros (neck).

“Special teams, returning two kicks is a massive game-changer. Back and forth all night. We got to get better, I got to get better, but it’s ultimately easier to learn from a win than it is a loss.”

Streveler completed 17 of 21 pass attempts for 173 yards with three interceptions as Winnipeg improved to 4-3. He also ran four times for 25 yards and one touchdown in front of the team’s ninth consecutive sellout at Princess Auto Stadium.

The Argonauts dropped to 2-6.

“It was huge,” Toronto head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said of Vaval’s scores. “We gifted them three touchdowns, two on special teams and then the fumble.

“We’re not playing good enough football to overcome some of that stuff. But we had a chance, just didn’t make enough plays. Our special-teams units, we’ve got to find a way to get better. A lot of missed tackles out there.”

Nick Arbuckle was 22-of-39 passing for 327 yards with one interception and two TDs for the Argonauts.

He was disappointed the offence got stopped from the one- and two-yard lines midway through the third quarter and had to settle for a field goal. Running back Khalan Laborn was tripped up by Arbuckle on the second attempt.

“But we still had chances throughout the game,” Arbuckle said. “Our defence did such an incredible job giving us opportunities after opportunities to potentially win the game at the end and, unfortunately, we couldn’t capitalize.”

Bombers running back Brady Oliveira had 17 carries for 50 yards.

“It took all three phases,” Oliveira said. “Obviously, special teams played incredible and defence did a really, really good job today. I’m glad we got the win.”

Dinwiddie said Toronto’s offensive line “struggled” and they didn’t establish the run. Deonta McMahon had three carries for five yards and Laborn two touches for three yards.

“Us running for eight yards, that ain’t getting it done,” Dinwiddie said. “I don’t think I’ve ever been a part of a game where we’ve had less than 10 yards rushing.”

Winnipeg defensive end Willie Jefferson had four pass knock-downs and one defensive tackle.

Dinwiddie said the veteran “took over the game.”

Arbuckle added Jefferson made his presence felt.

“Willie looked like prime Willie,” Arbuckle said. “Every time I feel like he’s in the backfield either hitting me, making sure that after I throw it he’s grabbing on and making sure I know he’s there, tipping the passes as he’s getting penetration.”

The game kicked off on time after the Blue Bombers and CFL were monitoring the smoky air quality caused by forest fires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The Air Quality Health Index was seven at game time, under the threshold of eight that would have delayed or postponed the contest. It had a very high risk of 10-plus in the morning.

The Bombers led 14-7 after the first quarter, 31-13 at halftime and 34-24 heading into the fourth.

Winnipeg defensive end Jay Person returned an Arbuckle fumble 28 yards for a score.

Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo connected on field goals from 46, 49, 34 and 31 yards, but hit an upright on a 45-yard attempt. He was good on four converts.

Toronto receiver Damonte Coxie had touchdown catches of 16 and 56 yards, as he hauled in nine passes for a career-best 187 yards.

Argos linebacker Cameron Judge returned an interception 47 yards for a TD after defensive lineman Anthony Lanier II tipped a Streveler pass and the ball bounced into Judge’s hands for the game’s first score.

Kicker Lirim Hajrullahu was good on field goals from 44, 25 and nine yards and made three converts. John Haggerty booted an 85-yard punt for a single.

UP NEXT

Argonauts: Host the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday, Aug. 9.

Blue Bombers: Visit the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday, Aug. 9.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2025.

Judy Owen, The Canadian Press