VANCOUVER – The B.C. Lions exhaled on Saturday.
The squad had high expectations going into the CFL season, thus many observers were taken aback by the team’s loss to the Toronto Argonauts last week.
The Lions felt some comfort after winning their home opener on Saturday, 26-17 over the Calgary Stampeders.
Josh Woods, a linebacker, remarked, “I feel like we got the monkey off our back.” It didn’t feel like it was us last week. Gaining victory and instilling confidence in newcomers was a positive thing. We feel like ourselves once more.
Vernon Adams Jr. completed 17 of 29 passes for 277 yards, including two touchdowns, and added another major for B.C. (1-1).
“We had to adjust and we did. I still want to be more consistent. It was a real roller-coaster type of game,” Adams said.
“But a hard-fought win, man. Can’t take anything from these guys. I love the way we battled and finished that game.”
The Calgary Stampeders (1-1) suffered their first setback of the season as Jake Maier completed 26 of 33 passes for 339 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. The quarterback was sacked four times by B.C.
“I enjoy our team, so I’m not worried right now. Dave Dickenson, the head coach of Calgary, added, “And I recognise that no club right now should be playing their best football in Week 2. They put up a fierce fight. We were a strong football squad, we had playmakers, and we had good talent.
Maier, who was named the league’s top offensive player for his performance against Hamilton last week, continued his solid play early in Saturday’s game.
The quarterback sailed a 25-yard pass to Marken Michel midway through the first quarter, then followed up by sending the receiver a 10-yard toss just steps from the goal line. Michel waltzed in to complete the touchdown and Rene Parades hit the convert, giving Calgary a 7-0 lead at the end of the first.
Early in the second frame, Adams scrambled out of the pocket and lobbed an eight-yard toss to Justin McInnis in the end zone. Sean Whyte’s kick was blocked, leaving the Lions trailing 7-6.
Maier sent a pass to Dedrick Mills minutes later, but the ball went off his fingers and B.C. linebacker Ben Hladik dove to scoop it up for an interception.
Hladik was a force for the Lions on Saturday, registering 10 tackles and an interception.
“Ben is one of the most underrated dudes in this league. He’s one of the smartest linebackers,” Woods said. “We’re a duo. It’s just fun to play with him. That’s my brother.”
Halfway in the second quarter, the Stamps resorted to Parades, and the kicker made a 13-yard field goal.
In response, Adams sailed a 28-yard pass to McInnis before launching a massive lob to Hollins in the end zone. The Lions led 14-10 at the interval after Whyte’s conversion this time.
Early in the second half, Maier connected with a wide-open Mills on a long bomb, resuming the Stampeders’ offensive attack. Before Hladik could stop him by the ankles, the receiver started to sprint down the field. With a pass to Reggie Begelton deep in the end zone, Maier sealed the drive and gave Calgary the lead again.
Halfway in the third quarter, the Lions tied the game at 17-17 with
B.C. went up once again early in the fourth after Adams pitched a rainbow pass to Ayden Eberhardt for a 59-yard gain that set the Lions up in the red zone. The quarterback then muscled the ball over the goal line for another major. Whyte’s convert attempt was blocked once again, leaving B.C. up 23-17.
The kicker went for a 53-yard field goal with 36 seconds left in the game, and sent the ball through the uprights to give the Lions a 26-17 victory.
Regarding his team’s performance, Lions head coach Rick Campbell stated, “I think we’ve got room to grow.” “Obviously, growing is a lot more enjoyable after a victory than after a defeat. Extremely proud of them. That game was challenging.
Saturday at B.C. Place included more entertainment than just football; rapper 50 Cent entertained the announced 53,788 audience before kickoff by performing classics like “In da Club” and “Candy Shop.”
Although Dickenson acknowledged not seeing the show, he noted the crowd was supportive of Canadian football.
“It’s great to have individuals here who would not regularly watch a CFL game. I sell our game, and I noticed that you looked at a lot of it.”
NOTES
Midway through the third quarter, wide receiver Jevon Cottoy of the B.C. team left the game due to a hamstring injury. Instead of playing again, he stayed on the sidelines and cheered while wearing an ice bag tied to the back of his leg. .. A record-breaking 53,788 people showed up to watch the Lions play their home opener. The previous record, 43,501, was set in 1984.
UP NEXT
On Friday, the Lions will travel to Winnipeg to play the Blue Bombers. After next week off, the Stampeders will host Winnipeg on June 29.
The Canadian Press released this report for the first time on June 15, 2024.
Read more news on https://sportupdates.co.uk
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