B.C. Lions quarterback Jonathon Jennings (#10) throws a pass against the BC Lions during first half CFL action in Regina on Saturday, July 16th, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rick Elvin
CFL.CA STAFF
REGINA – The BC Lions needed a big game from their quarterback, and Jonathon Jennings delivered.
The 23-year-old pivot completed 25 passes for a career-high 429 yards and three touchdowns, as the Lions downed the Saskatchewan Roughriders 40-27 Saturday night at Mosaic Stadium.
The Lions also received strong outings from Nick Moore and Shawn Gore, who racked up 88 and 109 yards respectively and a touchdown apiece.
Things weren’t so great for the Riders, however, as QB Darian Durant was forced out of action in the first half with an apparent left ankle injury. Mitchell Gale came in for relief action, and completed 17 of his 29 passes for 247 yards and TD.
Offensively speaking, the early parts of the first quarter was an uneventful one, with both teams registering their first points of the evening by-way of their special teams.
The Lions struck first thanks to a 69-yard punt single by Richie Leone. However, BC’s slim lead was quickly erased after Riders kicker Tyler Crapigna cleanly split the uprights from 41 yards out.
As the first quarter reached its final stage, Jennings and the rest of the Lions offence started to click, highlighted by completions to Rolly Lumbala, Emmanuel Arceneaux, and Shawn Gore for gains of 11, 11, and 20 respectively.
One play after Gore’s reception, the Lions hit pay-dirt thanks to a heads up play by tailback Anthony Allen, who pitched it back to Jennings while being tackled, allowing the QB to trot untouched into the endzone for six.
They would miss their ensuing 2-point conversion, taking their newfound 7-3 lead into the second quarter.
Once again, however, BC’s lead was short-lived. The start of the second quarter brought on new life for Durant and the Riders offence, with the veteran pivot leading the charge on a five-play, 64-yard drive that was capped off by a 31-yard touchdown grab by Canadian Rob Bagg.
Following the touchdown, TSN cameras spotted Durant having medical attention to his left ankle. He exited the game 7/10 passing, for 104 yards and a touchdown.
Gale replaced him under centre on the Riders’ next offensive series, which ended with a 47-yard field goal by Crapigna.
In addition to the Durant injury, all-Canadian guard Brendon LaBatte was forced out of action as well. As a result, 2016 1st overall pick Josiah St. John came in for his first taste of CFL action.
The injuries didn’t seem to faze the Riders, as Gale hooked up with Canadian receiver Nick Demski for a nine-yard score, increasing the home team’s lead to 13 in the process.
Demski’s score culminated a six-play drive, which was aided by a successful roughing the passer challenge by Saskatchewan head coach Chris Jones.
The two teams exchanged field goals prior to the end of the first half, with Leone connecting from 29 yards out, while Crapigna hit the mark from 21.
Saskatchewan took a solid 23-10 lead into the break.
Much like the first quarter, the early parts of the third frame saw little action offensively. Until just over five minutes to go, the only offence came from a second punt single by Leone.
But the Leos eventually found their stride, with Jennings connecting with Nick Moore on a massive 52-yard catch-and-run inside the Saskatchewan 10-yard line.
One play later, Jennings found a BIG target in the endzone…literally, as six-foot-six, 325 lbs. offensive lineman Jovan Olafioye hauled an eight-yard pass for his first career touchdown.
The TD brought the Lions within four of the Riders’ lead.
Two possessions later, Jennings and Moore hooked up once again, this time for a 30-yard touchdown to give the visitors a three-point fourth-quarter lead.
However, the Riders would even things up on their ensuing drive, as Crapigna connected on a 22-yard chip shot.
But with 8:28 remaining in the game, the Lions pushed ahead yet again, with Jennings finding a wide open Gore for lengthy 59-yard touchdown.
The score gave the Lions a seven-point lead, which was cut to six after Crapigna missed on a 34-yard attempt.
Minutes later, the Lions put things out of reach, as Allen trotted into the endzone for a seven-yard score, giving the Lions a 39-27 lead they would not relinquish.
Next week, BC heads to the bye, while the Riders will welcome the REDBLACKS to Mosaic for Friday Night Football.