Calgary, AB – The BC Lions finally got to hit someone in a different jersey Wednesday night when they visited the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium.
The Lions offense started out slowly going scoreless in the first have and not moving the ball. While the Stampeders didn’t exactly light up the field, they did end the first quarter with a 6-0 lead. Henry Burris finished the night 3-7 for 42 yards, 0 TD’s and 0 interceptions. Calgary scored on their continued possession to start the second half on a 12 yard scamper by QB Barrick Nealy thanks to a great ball fake and open-field deke, giving the home side a 13-0 lead early in the 2nd quarter.
With Wally Buono not satisfied with what he saw from Buck Pierce in the first quarter, he left his starter in the game and Pierce finally put together a nice drive featuring receiver Greg Hetherington who hauled in a 12 yard touchdown on a seam route to cut the lead to 13-7. Pierce left the game 7-10 for 77 yards,1 TD, 0 interceptions and one turnover (fumble).
The Lions chipped away a little bit more after they recovered a Barrick Nealy fumble on a botched hand-off at the Calgary 30 yard line. Sean Whyte kicked a 23 yard field goal to make the score 13-10.
Jarious Jackson went to work in the second half and put together a nice drive with passes to Terence Scott and Martell Malllet and appeared to score the go ahead touchdown on what looked to be a great catch by Otis Amey. But upon video review it was determined the catch was not made and the Lions had to settle for a 26 yard Whyte field goal and the game was tied 13-13. But a last minute drive by Calgary and a 28 yard pass from Drew Tate put the Stamps 1st and 10 on the Lions 9 yard line. They punched it in on a 4 yard reception by Jermane Jackson and the Stamps led 20-13 at halftime.
Jackson started the 2nd half but couldn’t muster any offense and he eventually gave way to Zac Champion. Jackson finished the game 6-14 for 77 yards, 0 TD’s and 0 interceptions.Calgary’s Drew Tate capped off a nice 66 yard drive which featured a 50 yard catch and run to Jermaine Jackson. Tate punched it in from the 1 yard line to give the home side a 27-13 lead. But Champion directed the Lions to a major after a 4 play 32 yard drive that ended with a 4 yard pass to Emmanuel Arceneaux, to bring the Lions within 7 at 27-20. After a 49 yard Sandro DeAngelis field goal made it 30-20 and the Lions replied with a 41 yard effort by Whyte, the Stamps struck again with a 2 play 99 yard drive which saw Matt D’Orazio connect with Jabari Arthur to put the Stamps up 37-23.
Travis Lulay entered the game with just over eight minutes remaining in the 4th quarter, and orchestrated a nice drive, which ended with a nice throw to new slot-back but long time veteran Lyle Green and the Lions were once again within 7 points.
With 42 seconds remaining the Lions got the ball back and Travis Lulay engineered a fantastic drive all the way down to the 14 yard with 5 seconds left but on the final playover threw his intended receiver and the Stamps held on for the win.
Standouts: WR Greg Hetherington: 4 catches for 54 yards and 1 touchdown. WR Terence Scott: 5 catches for 92 yards. DT Jeremy Gibbs 3 tackles, 1 sac. DE Ceasar Rayford: 3 tackles, 2 sacks and one fumble recovery. QB Travis Lulay: 8-13 106 yards and 1 touchdown.
