B.C. Lions quarterback Jonathon Jennings, right, hands off to Jeremiah Johnson during the first half of a pre-season CFL football game against the Calgary Stampeders in Vancouver, B.C., on Friday June 17, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Special teams and turnovers were the difference as the Calgary Stampeders escaped BC Place with a 31-21 victory in what was a preview of next Saturday’s regular season opener. Lache Seastrunk‘s touchdown run with 44 seconds remaining was the final nail in the coffin after the visitors once again took advantage of excellent field position. “We didn’t play with the same intensity on our special teams that we did last week,” said Wally Buono. “It’s a three point game until the end. If we cover better and return better that three points might not be three points.”
Despite the end result, there was a few positives the Lions could build off as they now prepare to play for real. The offence got off to a much better start than last week in Sasakatchewan. Bryan Burnham‘s 21- yard touchdown catch from Jonathon Jennings capped off a seven play drive to open the game. “Last week it was guys getting used to the 20 second clock,” Burnham said. “This past week in practice we really went up tempo so we were just ready for it. We knew coming in we were going to go fast.”
With the game tied 11-11 in the 3rd quarter, Travis Lulay entered and fumbled the ball away on his first series. The Lions were able to hold Calgary to a Rene Parades field goal and Lulay would make amends on the next series when he connected with Devonn Brown on a 64-yard completion to the Stampeders two. Anthony Allen then punched it in for the Lions’ second major of the evening to put them ahead 18-14 after the convert. With Jeremiah Johnson shouldering most of the load- he had 52 yards on 10 carries- the Lions were once again able to establish a running game early. “Their third team was better than our third team,” Buono said. “I don’t want to make it sound so nonchalant but winning this preseason game wasn’t going to anoint us Grey Cup champions. We did not play physical enough football and that costs you victories.”
If there is one thing they can be happy about is the fact youngsters such as Brown and Loucheiz Purifoy made big plays when the Lions needed them. “It’s exciting,” Burnham said. “We’ve seen these guys work, especially Devonn coming from rookie camp. For those guys to get some recognition and get the ball, it’s really good.”
Purifoy once again impressed at the nickel position and had a sack on Bo Levi Mitchell at a critical point in the second quarter. Ronnie Yell and TJ Lee III both had solid outings in the secondary as well. Lee intercepted Drew Tate in the end zone to halt a Stampeders drive in the 3rd quarter. That took place right before the Lulay fumble.
These same two teams will meet again at BC Place in next Saturday’s regular season opener. It is a 7:00 PM kickoff.
Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com