Game Day HQ | The Banjo Bowl

Singer will be part of a bit of a revamped Blue Bombers receiving corps today, as veteran Nic Demski returns to the starting lineup after missing last week's Labour Day Classic OT loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and with Pokey Wilson being moved to the six-game injured list.

There's more, too, with Tommy Nield listed on the depth chart as moving outside from slotback to wide receiver, with Kevens Clercius now starting at the other wideout spot and with newcomer Kenneth Womack making his CFL debut after spending a good chunk of the summer on the practice roster.

And Singer is hoping to build on a solid first effort that included five catches for 62 yards, including two second-down conversions and a game-tying touchdown with no time left in regulation.

"I'm just trying to carry that momentum by watching film, studying and doing everything to make sure I'm prepared," Singer told bluebombers.com on Friday. "It's how I've been preparing throughout this whole journey, this whole process and that's the biggest takeaway for me -- is how I keep staying prepared in my day to day and week to week.

"Last week proved to me that I am who I say I am. Other people may think highly of me, but I have to prove to myself I am that guy. So, that game did boost confidence in me. It's not like I lacked confidence, but I haven't played the game in a while (since the NFL preseason last year with Jacksonville).

"What last week also did was give me an appreciation for the game again," added Singer. "Even just when we got to the hotel in Sask and I saw all those Bomber fans out there... it made it feel like we were in Winnipeg, especially the next day when we were in the warmup before the game."

It's not just Singer's totals from last week that stood out, either. On his weekly Coach's Show on CJOB, head coach Mike O'Shea said the new receiver was just shy of perfect in terms of his assignments throughout the whole game.

"I had two MAs (missed assignments) but there are definitely other things I can get better at after watching the film," said Singer. "I know I can give a little bit more effort here or there, but that does boost my confidence knowing the coaches speak highly of me, as does my starting quarterback."

Demski's return is massive for an offence that goes in fits and spurts and then can go dormant for stretches.

"He brings a whole lot of confidence," said running back Brady Oliveira of Demski. "That's another leader on this team and a star in this league.

"We all know what he can do and he's as productive as ever in every single season so it's great to have him back in there. And for some younger guys in the lineup he just brings a lot of confidence and leadership when he steps on that field and especially in the huddle and on the sidelines.

"If there's any mistakes that were made, he's there. He's like a second coach. That's what you're getting out of Nic Demski - one heck of a football player, a true pro's pro and I'm really glad that he's back in."

Here's a bit of background on Womack, who was with the club in training camp before getting injured and added to the practice roster: the 5-10, 200-pound product of Western Michigan and Sacred Heart University was a First Team All-MAC in 2023 after leading the conference in receptions with 76.

And during his days at Sacred Heart, he played both football AND basketball.

"He had a good training camp," said Blue Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea. "We had three receivers that really worked hard in training camp in -- Singer, Kenny and Freddy (Christian Frederickson, who opened the season on the practice roster) and we were able to keep two of them and Singer's got his chance and he's done well and Kenny's getting a little opportunity now.

"I thought his work in camp was good. He had a little injury setback, but he left a pretty good impression in terms of his desire to mix it up and get physical and we'll see if he can't do a little bit more of that this game."

ICYMI, here is our Game Preview:

And what follows are this week's collection of notes and quotes in a Banjo Bowl edition of Game Day HQ...

QUOTABLE:

"If you look at the last three games... you had the game in Edmonton where we lost by three and shot ourselves in the foot, then we thumped Montreal and lost in overtime in Sask. That's the three best teams in the league right now and we're right there. It's just a couple things to figure out and once we do, we'll get rolling.

"We can be great. We've got all the people to do it. We've just got to put the pieces together and eliminate the small mistakes." -- Blue Bombers defensive tackle Cam Lawson

WELCOME BACK

Defensive end Matt Jaworski will make his 2026 debut for the club today. He had an impressive debut in last year's regular-season finale win over Montreal but then was in a serious car accident in the spring and didn't return to the club until early August.

"We got him late, but he's picked up right where he left off," O'Shea said. "He flies around the practice field. He's hard-nosed and in he's in all the time trying to learn more, trying to get his opportunity and just taking in knowledge like crazy, taking notes like crazy and trying to be a pro. Athletically he's an interesting guy. His size, speed, strength ratio is pretty interesting."

Asked if it was cool to see Jaworski back in the lineup given everything he's been through, O'Shea added:

"It's more than cool. It's a great reminder of a lot of things. How quickly things can get taken away, the importance of perseverance, the belief in yourself... those kinds of things. It's just a great reminder looking at him, seeing how hard he works."

NOTABLE

• Brady Oliveria (956) is 16 rushing yards away from his fifth consecutive 1000-yard+ season, which would break Norman Kwong’s record by a Canadian of four straight (1955-58). Last week, Oliveira was held to a season-low 28 yards, but he still leads the league in rushing with 984 yards.

• Saskatchewan is looking for its second straight sweep of the two-game Labour Day-rematch set.

• Trevor Harris is 7-10 against Winnipeg. He has at least one passing TD in each game this season and he is on pace for career-highs in passing yards (5,840) and passing TDs (39).

• The Blue Bombers need to win by seven points or more to capture the season series.

• Zach Collaros is 5-1 in the Banjo Bowl, including four wins with Winnipeg and one with Saskatchewan.

• Nic Demski is 55 receiving yards shy of becoming the 15^th Canadian to reach 7,000 in his career.

• Willie Jefferson’s next sack will tie Willie Pless (84) for 20^th all-time.

• Saskatchewan linebacker Aubrey Miller Jr. was fined for spearing Winnipeg wide receiver Tim White in last week's Labour Day Classic. Per CFL policy, the league does not announce the amount of fines.

ICYMI:

Sam Calvert sat down for a quick preview of the Banjo Bowl in this week's edition of Game Day -1: