1990

The loss of so many veterans after 1989 meant that the 1990 BC Lions were also-rans from the start under new GM Joe Kapp. Including the final game of 1989, the Lions went through four head coaches in a 13-game span as new VP of Football Operations Bob O’Billovich made many changes. Newcomers QB Doug Flutie, WRs Matt Clark and Mike trevathan and RB Sean Millington would wind up being long-term contributors to the club in years to come but a 2-8-1 start doomed 1990. The bright spot was Flutie who would gradually work his way into a full-time starting spot at QB throwing to 1,000-yard receivers Ray Alexander and Jay Christensen. Despite an injury-plagued year K Lui Passaglia set a new all-time pro scoring record of 2,312 points and surpassed Dave Cutler to lead the CFL all-time. LB Willie Pless and OT Jim Mills were CFL All-Stars in a tumultuous season of turnover and turnovers (78 of them) that saw 25 players catch a least one pass from four different QBs.

1991

The changes made in 1991 meant a much stronger Lions team to which a further 12 rookies were added. The team shattered the previous scoring record piling up 661 points as the exciting brand of football drew 40,888 fans per game. Under record-setting QB Doug Flutie (the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player), the Lions piled up an all-time CFL record 9,117 yards of offense (506.5 per game). WRs Ray Alexander and Matt Clark were CFL All-Stars and reached 1,500 yards each in 1991. CFL Top Rookie RB Jon Volpe was also a sensation as behind Top Lineman John Mills he set BC (then) rushing records of 1,395 yards and 16 tds. His 20 total tds also was a new club record while Flutie went even farther with a new CFL standard for passing yards (6,619 which still stands) and a club record 38 td passes. In the standings, the Lions competed with Edmonton and Calgary in a close race and settled for third on the final day of the season. A trip to Calgary for the Semi-Final brought disappointment as 31-15 half-time edge was wiped out by 28 points by the Stamps in the third quarter alone. K Lui Passaglia had yet another incredible season piling up 210 points on 44 FGs reaching the 2,500 point mark for his illustrious career.

1992

The departure of QB Doug Flutie as a free agent to Calgary set the stage for perhaps the low point in BC Lions history. Ownership problems for Murray Pezim meant that the CFL had to step in and assume control until Bill Comrie came along to resurrect a failing franchise. An 0-8 start was the worst in club history and only a mid-season 3-game win streak brought any success on the field in a 3-15 campaign. Future HOF receiver Darren Flutie stepped up to post make 90 receptions and paired with WR Mike trevathan to reach 1,000 yards each. BC used four QBs including Danny Barrett and Tony Kimbrough, while RB John Volpe, K Lui Passaglia, OT Jim Mills and Flutie made the West All-Star Team. The end of the season saw Bob O’Billovich relieved of his duties and brought along new GM Eric Tillman and Head Coach Dave Ritchie to get ready for 1992 and a fresh start.

1993

The 1993 season witnessed CFL expansion south of the border as Sacramento joined the league. Benefiting from a change in playoff format, the Lions were able to get back to the post-season with a 10-8 mark despite three losses to Calgary. A solid start at 8-3 had the Lions near the top but they were unable to sustain that momentum and dropped 5 of their last 7 contests to finish fourth. A 17-9 playoff defeat in Calgary ended the season but a solid core had been built for 1994 with the arrival of RB Cory Philpot, DB Less Browne and QB Danny McManus. QB Danny Barrett passed for over 4,000 yards including a (then) CFL and (still) club record 601 vs Toronto on Aug 12/93. The 10-8 mark provided BC fans (average: 28,433) with 7 more wins than in 1992 and the promise of even better things to come.

1994

The Lions got off to a fast start in 1994 by winning their first three games and reached the 8-1-1 mark through 10 games. Led by new QB Kent Austin and a team-record three 1,000-yard receivers in Darren Flutie, Ray Alexander and Mike trevathan, the BC offense averaged over 400 yards and 33.6 points per game. The Lions dropped a pivotal home meeting with Edmonton in September which started a stretch of 4 losses in 6 games to close out the season (11-6-1). What ensued in the 1994 playoffs however surprised almost everyone as the Lions got on a post-season roll. Returning to Edmonton for the West Semi-Finals, BC was outgained badly but pulled out a 24-23 win on Lui Passaglia’s last minute 27-yard FG. BC then moved on to Calgary to play what many consider to be the most exciting playoff game in CFL history. With a combined total of 1,056 yards of net offense, Calgary led an exciting contest most of the way and led by 34-21 late in the 3rd quarter. Darren Flutie’s second td of the game pulled the Lions to within six points heading into the final 15:00 but still needed a major in the last minute to pull it out. With the ball at the Calgary 4-yard line and time expired, Danny McManus hit Flutie for his third td of the game and sent the Lions to the 1994 Grey Cup at home. The 26-23 win over Baltimore in the 1994 Grey Cup seemed almost anti-climactic as once again the winning points came with no time showing after a Lui Passaglia FG from 38 yards out. The Lions had trailed 20-10 before Danny McManus once again engineered the drives that led to the third CFL championship for BC in 41 seasons.

1995

CFL expansion continued to add teams and the league realigned into North and South Divisions for 1995. Grey Cup hero Danny McManus assumed QB duties and RB Cory Philpot stepped up to lead the offense. In the North Division, Calgary and Edmonton were dominant once again and the Lions managed to finish in third place at 10-8. A 9-3 start under Coach Dave Ritchie put BC in good position for a home date in the playoffs but five straight losses meant yet another trip to the Prairies for a tough Semi-Final. Heading to Edmonton, the Lions based their hopes on All-Star RB Cory Philpot who registered 1,850 yards from scrimmage and an amazing 22 tds to set a CFL and club record. Mike trevathan and Darren Flutie led the receivers while K Lui Passaglia surpassed the 3,000 point mark with 45 FGs and 194 points. Converted to offensive line duty, G Jamie Taras captured the North Top Lineman Award alongside fellow All-Star T Vic Stevenson. The playoff game at Edmonton was a tough sled as the Lions fell by a score of 26-15 and thus were unable to defend their Grey Cup title.

1996

The 1996 season was a difficult one for both the CFL and the Lions as the league contracted back to the original nine-team Canadian only format. Lions’ crowd levels also declined as a record-low average of just 18,607 fans attended home games. The sale of the team by Bill Comrie to local businessmen led by Nelson Skalbania did not bring the hoped for stability and yet another tumultuous year unfolded. By the end of August, the Lions franchise was 2-8 and in receivership with the exit of Skalbania and his investor group. In part, the Lions’ poor start was at the heart of the challenges facing the club in 1996. After the failure of Heisman trophy winner Andre Ware to lead the team, QB Damon Allan became a bright spot throwing to WRs Mike trevathan and Matt Clark. RB Cory Philpot added a second straight 1,000-yard rushing season but new Head Coach Joe Paopao could not get the Lions into the playoffs once again. By season’s end however, new owner David Braley emerged to lead the Lions into the present era of success both on and off the field.

1997

With Adam Rita as the new Head Coach, the Lions retooled their team yet again for 1997 adding WRs Alfred Jackson and Al Shipman to the offense. A 6-3 start gave a little hope but in the end BC fortunes rested on the new “cross-over” rules for playoff qualification. A last place 8-10 mark for BC in the West topped the East’s third-place Winnipeg Blue Bombers at 4-14, and thus the Lions grabbed an Eastern playoff berth for the first time. The Lions were unprepared for an astonishing MONTREAL ground game (352 yards) and fell 45-35 after trailing 42-12 at half-time. In the regular season, Damon Allen helped the Lions solidify the QB spot by throwing for 4,653 yards and 21 tds including 1o to Jackson (1,322 yards and a CFL All-Star spot). LB Maurice Kelly led the defense with 68 tackles and also gained a spot on the elite CFL squad. Lui Passaglia celebrated his 22nd year in the CFL reaching 3,471 points and a place far ahead of the other leading scorers in CFL history. All-Star RB Sean Millington made the West squad once again as did C Mike Withycombe and DT Joe Fleming. The current run of 10 straight playoff appearances began in 1997 with the modest 8-10 mark and the Lions have compiled a record of 97-65 since that time.

1998

In 1998, the Lions bucked the odds to stage a dramatic turnaround and make the playoffs once more. Sitting at 3-9 and riding a 5-game losing streak, BC launched a season-ending 6-game win streak to surge into the playoffs. Coach Adam Rita resigned to give way to Greg Mohns after nine games helping to fuel the change in fortunes. What did not come out of the season however was a resurgence in fan support as crowds averaged just 16,217 for the season. Late season figures propped up the weakening fan base somewhat fueled by the passing of Damon Allen (3,519 yards) and the run to the playoffs. The Semi-Final trip to Edmonton produced the usual result however despite a gallant effort and a 33-26 lead with 5:00 to play. Two late Edmonton touchdowns resulted in a 40-33 defeat and another wait until next year ending. CFL All-Star DB Steve Muhammad (10 INTs), the mid-season addition of RB Robert Drummond (690 yards rushing) and the continued excellence of 23-year veteran and All-Star K Lui Passaglia (197 points and club record tying 52 FGs) were major highlights. RB Juan Johnson, T Moe Elewonibi, DBs Dale Joseph and Glenn Rogers Jr and DTs Johnny Scott and Dave Chaytors also produced All-Star years for the BC in an otherwise difficult season.

1999

With a 3-game winning streak to open the 1999 campaign the Lions produced a club of nine straight triumphs setting up high expectations for this campaign. By the beginning of October the Lions still hung in at 10-3 but faced a tough back-to-back set with Edmonton in which they gained a split to stay on top. Despite a late season loss to close rival Calgary, BC captured their final two games to grab their first regular season West title in 12 years. The average attendance picked up to 22,428 behind the fine play of 11 Western All-Stars led by QB Damon Allen (4,219 yards passing) and C Jamie Taras. Jamie was named the West’s Top Canadian Player and Top Lineman alongside ROY Paul Lacoste and Top Defensive Player LB Daved Benefield. Jimmy Cunningham rolled up an incredible 2,367 combined yards as the CFL’s most exciting special teams player. Fans anticipated a seventh trip to the Grey Cup at B.C. Place in 1999 but were denied as Calgary got a late Mark McLoughlin FG to edge the Lions 26-24 in the West Final.