With expectations as high as they’ve been in a decade, The BC Lions disappointed in their season opener losing 35-27 to the Toronto Argonauts. It was a tail of two half’s for BC who scored 20 first half points but failed to find the end zone again in the final two quarters.
The Argonauts ended the first quarter with a 6-0 lead thanks to a passing touchdown from Cameron Dukes to Kadeem Carey. The Lions exploded for three touchdowns over a five minute span in the second quarter, Vernon Adams Jr connected with Justin McInnis and first year Lion Travis Fulgham for passing touchdowns on back to back drives to give BC a 13-6 lead. Moments after the Fulgham touchdown, Lions defender Josh Archibald had a strip sack that was picked up and taken to the end zone by defensive tackle Tibo Debaillie putting BC up 20-6. Toronto’s quarterback Cam Dukes led a pair of scoring drives late in the second quarter, throwing for another touchdown pass and setting up a last second field goal for Lirim Hajrullahu to make it 20-16 BC at the half.
The Argos began the second half with a third touchdown pass from Dukes giving Toronto a 23-20 lead. Sean Whyte and BC would respond with a field goal on the following drive tying up the score but Hajrullahu would match giving his team a three point advantage. The Argonauts took a two point lead into the fourth quarter thanks to a big drive stalling sack by Jared Brinkman that knocked the Lions outta field goal range and forced them to punt. After BC started the fourth quarter with a field goal drive taking a 27-26 lead, both teams traded quick two and outs before Hajrullahu would kick another field goal putting the Argos in front 29-27. Toronto turned up the pressure for the remainder of the game bringing down Lions quarterback four separate times in the final quarter, none bigger than a strip sack by newly acquired Jake Ceresna late in the game. Down by two with 90 seconds to go in the game, BC’s offense turned the ball over on downs at their own one yard line which set up the Argo’s to punch it in for a touchdown on the next play. After a third and final turnover on downs for BC, Toronto was able to kneel on it to secure a 35-27 week one victory.
BC quarterback Vernon Adams Jr finished with a game high 363 passing yards and two touchdowns but accounted for two turnovers, Adams was also sacked six times and took multiple hits one of which caused some injury concerns post game. Justin McInnis led the way offensively for BC finishing the game with 103 receiving yards on seven catches and one touchdown, Alex Hollins was the most targeted receiver hauling in 8 catches for 90 yards, and veteran running back Will Standback was kept quiet on the ground with only 35 yards on 11 carries but added 50 receiving yards on five catches in his debut with BC.
Lions defensive coordinator Ryan Phillips wont be happy with his units performance, Outside of a 20 yard scoop and score by Tibo Debaillie, the lions weren’t able to stop the run or effect the passer. BC’s defense was gashed on the ground surrending 126 rushing yards on 26 carries while also giving up 254 yards through the air and three passing touchdowns. Even though you must tip your cap to Cam Dukes for the way he played, you have to wonder why a BC defence wasn’t able to have more success, it seemed like whenever there was a play to be made the Argos offence was making it.
BC has to do a better job of protecting Vernon Adams and that starts with finding another option as the short yardage quarterback. They also must find a way to be effective running the ball, they can’t be one dimensional again this year, it’ll only put more pressure on VA to do everything offensively. On defence BC needs to find a game changer to replace Mathieu Betts, most thought it would be Christian Covington but he likely will need a few games to adjust. At the end of the day the lions didn’t play their best and still had an opportunity to send the game into overtime, if they can correct a few mistakes, they’ll be just fine this season.
The lions now shift their focus to hosting the Calgary Stampeders in their home opener this Saturday at 4pm(pst). Amar Doman has out done himself with the 3rd edition of the concert kickoff in BC, booking the rapper 50 Cent to play in front of sold out BC Place before the game.