Sanchez on Collaros’ Week 16 performance: ‘That’s the old school Zach’

TORONTO — After his performance against the Montreal Alouettes in Week 16, Zach Collaros has put himself back in the conversation of the top quarterbacks in the CFL.

The 30-year-old pivot completed 29 of his 41 pass attempts for 394 yards, a touchdown and an interception on his way to leading the Riders to a 34-29 win.

“Anyone who had any questions if Zach can still play, he can,” CFL.ca’s Davis Sanchez said on this week’s episode of The Waggle presented by Sport Clips.

“Now, whether or not he wants to come out there every week and put it on the line, I don’t know, but he sure as heck still has it in him.”

Episode 127: The Zach Attack is back, Lions on logo a no-go?

EPISODE OVERVIEW: James and Davis award Zach Collaros their week 16 MVP and hand out honourable mentions to Johnny football, and the Blue Bomber defence. Plus, the logo debate comes to a close with the Tigers trouncing the Lions .

RUNDOWN: Lions on the logo a no go? (4:00); Esks shaking things up (12:45); Manziel on the uptick (19:30); The old Zach is back (25:00); Props to the Bombers defence (18:30); Alessia Cara is dope (33:00)

Collaros has fought through injuries over the last few seasons since his best year in 2015, when he was in the conversation for Most Outstanding Player before a knee injury sidelined him for the second half of the year.

He then started the 2017 season 0-8 with the Tiger-Cats an was benched, eventually leading to his trade this off-season to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

And even after joining the Riders, he fought through injuries again and struggled to find chemistry with his receiving corps in Saskatchewan.

Now, healthy, Collaros is finding his groove and at the perfect time as the Roughriders eye hosting a playoff game heading into the final stretch of the season.

“That’s the old school Zach,” Sanchez said of Collaros in last week’s contest. “That’s the best I’ve seen Zach play in three years. He looked great back there. He looked competitive.

“He was diving for first downs. He was standing making tough throws. I was super impressed with Zach Collaros.”

Riders bench boss Chris Jones also had high praise for his quarterback after the game last week.

“He’s a great leader,” Jones told members of the media. “Our guys believe in him.”

The Roughriders host the Edmonton Eskimos on Monday at 4:00 p.m. ET as they look to keep hold of second place in the West Division.