The BC Lions rolled their way past the Montreal Alouettes at Molson Stadium on Thursday, winning by a score of 38-18. The Leos held the upper hand for the majority of the game, en route to a 20-point win.
BC Lions scored more than 35 points in a game just twice in 2015. Have done so in each of their past 3 game
— Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) August 5, 2016
In his return to action, Lions running back Jeremiah Johnson led the ground game with 15 carries for 74 yards in the winning effort. Johnson also had two receptions for 40 yards.
We’re one third of the way through the season and the BC Lions are tied for first in the CFL and playing an exciting brand of football.
Here are six quick things you need to know about BC’s fourth win of the season!
1. Jennings finds a rhythm
Jonathon Jennings had himself a really efficient night Thursday, passing for 331 yards and one touchdown on 27/32 attempts. Jennings did a phenomenal job of spreading the ball around evenly to his receiving corps, with the collection of Burnham, Arceneaux, and Gore vaulting over the 50+ yard mark for the third straight game.
Here was Jennings’ lone touchdown throw, a strike to the Manny Show in the end zone who did his part nicely, sacrificing the body for six.
.@mannyshow84 gets hit as he makes the catch to give the @BCLions the lead just before halfitme. #CFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/IG9dlRoO9W
— CFL on TSN (@CFLonTSN) August 5, 2016
2. Gaitor and Purifoy
Replacing injured Lions defensive back Brandon Stewart, Anthony Gaitor showed a lot of guts tonight. He was flying around the field, shutting down receivers, and making great plays on the ball which included a jarring hit on Brandon Rutley, resulting in a fumble to start the second half that brought the Lions into Alouette territory.
DB Loucheiz Purifoy has been arguably the best defensive player on the Lions so far this year, and on the very first play of the fourth quarter, the former Florida Gator took advantage of a Corbin Louks fumble, taking it 42 yards down the field to score adding to the Lions’ lead.
.@BCLions recover the fumble and return it to the house to extend the lead to 30-18. #CFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/BQUUcqVaPz
— CFL on TSN (@CFLonTSN) August 5, 2016
3. Lions sack attack continues
Coming into the game, BC was leading the West division as a team with 16 total sacks. The Leos defensive line went to work again tonight, compiling six, with Bryan Turner Jr. and Jabar Western both racking up two apiece. Additionally, Alex Bazzie tallied one which means the current CFL sack leader has at least one sack in his first six games to start the 2016 season.
37 days away from @BCPlace and the #BCLions come home with 4-2 record. Time to come back to the stadium Lions fans. This team is for real.
— BC Lions Den (@BCLionsDen) August 5, 2016
4. Bede is bad
Kicker Boris Bede was an absolute stud at the University of Laval from 2011 to 2014, but has really struggled in his second season as a member of the Alouettes, making just 8 of 19 fields goals so far this season. He went 1 for 2 on Thursday night.
Bede also completely shanked a punt that went out of bounds in the second quarter, resulting in negative yardage and moving the team back in field position.
Montreal head coach and GM Jim Popp was asked by TSN’s John Lu at the start of the second half regarding sticking with the 26-year-old French placekicker:
#Alouettes Popp on sticking w/Bede: "It's tough; we'll see after the game… He has all the potential. He's gotta get this out of his head."
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) August 5, 2016
Then after the game…
#Alouettes Popp on Bede future: "More than likely we'll have to bring another kicker in to give Boris a rest." (Perhaps partitioning duties)
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) August 5, 2016
5. Lulay struggles in two-point conversion role
BC hasn’t had much success with their new approach, going for two-point converts following touchdowns this season. You can respect that it brings more excitement into the game for fans, and that isn’t the main issue. The fact that Travis Lulay is the QB in all of these scenarios and Jonathan Jennings isn’t makes absolutely no sense, however.
I’m not sure if this is Wally Buono trying to please a backup and a good teammate, but at the end of the day Jennings is the better option to go with down the road. Otherwise, don’t for two. It’s as simple as that.
6. Duron Duron
It is an absolute slice to watch Als wide receiver Duron Carter in the CFL. He really should be in the NFL, and will get his second chance down the road if he works on his attitude.
Carter recorded seven receptions for 115 yards tonight, nothing special when you witness this guy’s skill-set. Carter has the ability to go off for multiple 150-200+ yard games going forward. By the end of the year, I expect Carter to lead the league in receiving yards the same way he did in 2014, as long as quarterback Kevin Glenn stays healthy.
Here’s a glimpse of the Fort Lauderdale native’s straight-line speed, beating Anthony Gaitor on this filthy double cross:
.@DC_CHILLIN_8 juggles the football but makes the catch for a huge gain. #CFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/j9PNzdQcAw
— CFL on TSN (@CFLonTSN) August 5, 2016
BC will finally return home next Saturday night, hosting the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at BC Place.
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