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August 13, 2016

Roar Report: Lions Tame Ticats in 45-38 thriller

It was a similar script to the BC Lions‘ overtime loss in Calgary two weeks ago. But for Manny Arceneaux and company, the ending was more Hollywood-like. Arceneaux hauled in a 30-yard touchdown grab from Jonathon Jennings with 1:23 remaining to give the home team a 45-38 win over the resilient Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

0813vsHAM_RoarReport

It was the clutch receiver’s second major of the night and capped off a brilliant 105-yard performance. “All I thought to myself was I got one opportunity to make a play and I just ran. My thing was just make the first man miss and the rest is history,” Arceneaux said of his game-winning score.

This game was not for the faint of heart. The Lions led 32-12 at halftime following touchdowns from Arceneaux, Bryan Burnham and the first of two from Jeremiah Johnson. You know the drill by now: It’s never over ’til it’s over, especially in the CFL. Hamilton’s comeback started when Jennings threw an interception to Emanuel Davis that was returned to the Lions’ three-yard line. It led to  a Luke Tasker touchdown.

The real turning point almost came with 4:15 left and the Lions up 38-30. Richie Leone missed a 37-yard field goal attempt that was returned 126 yards for a major by Brandon Banks. After the ensuing two-point conversion it was all tied up. Cue Jennings and the offence. What followed was a picture-perfect five-play, 72-yard winning drive which was capped by Arceneaux’s heroics. Leone insists he never felt sorry for himself after it appeared he may have let the game slip. “The defence was lights out all night,” Leone said. “They told me they had my back and that they were going to get a stop. And that’s what they did.”

“At the end of it, we’re 5-2,” said Wally Buono. “This ( finishing) is something two weeks ago we couldn’t do in Calgary so if there was a little growth in that respect than so be it. That’s a good football team we played and I think we’re a much better football team than what we played in the second half.”

The result was sealed when former Ticat Mike Edem knocked down a Zack Collaros pass in the end zone. It was intended for Chad Owens.

Game, set, match. It was a little closer than they anticipated, but the bottom line is they are now 5-2 and in a position to re-claim first place in the West next week.

Bake’s Takes

Although it looked like Leone’s 4th quarter miss could be costly, especially after Banks took it to the house, let’s not take anything away from an outstanding night by the Lions’ kicking machine. He 62.4 yard average per punt was good enough for the third-highest single game total in league history. It just goes to show you how valuable he is to the squad. Field position was a big part of why the Lions prevailed this evening. Case in point: Ticats’ kicker Brett Maher being forced to concede safeties on two occasions. Those four points, along with two Leone punt singles, did wonders.

The term ‘unsung hero’ gets thrown out a lot. Has there been a better one for this franchise than Jason Arakgi the last nine years? His three special teams tackles on Saturday puts him in a tie with Wade Miller for the most in CFL history. Arakgi has always been the ultimate role player, whether that’s being the special teams guru or filling in at linebacker. Hat tip to Arakgi on his milestone and we look forward to watching him break it next week!

Do you need another example to prove just how far Jennings has come? He is now just the fourth QB in franchise history to pass for 300 or more yards in four consecutive games. The other three? Doug Flutie, Dave Dickenson and Casey Printers. That is pretty exclusive company for the 24-year old pivot. And what about his ability to escape the Ticats’ pass rush and extend plays with his feet? A prime example was the 14-yard scramble two plays before the winning touchdown. This kid is becoming more special each week.

Adam Bighill. Need we say more? He once again led all Lions defenders with seven defensive tackles and came up with a huge interception to snuff out some of the Hamilton momentum in the third quarter. That takeaway led to Leone’s lone field goal of the night. Leave it to Biggie to clutch up on his bobblehead night!

Knockout punch. The Lions wanted to deliver one early and they got it when a Loucheiz Purifoy sack on the second play from scrimmage led to a fumble recovery by Steven Clarke. On the very next play, Jennings tossed a perfect 38-yard bomb to Burnham and it was off to the races. It’s easy for this sequence to get lost amidst all the second half shenanigans, but that is two straight weeks where they have sent a message in the opening seconds. You have to admire how bold they have been out of the gates.

Can you blame Ticats’ special teams coach Jeff Reinebold for trying to avoid Chris Rainey? His lone punt return went for 40 yards, but was called back due to a questionable illegal block on Bo Lokombo. The strategy allowed Marco Iannuzzi to step up and earn the game ball on special teams. His five kickoff returns went for 104 yards, the longest being 31.

B.C. Lions' Solomon Elimimian, left, and Adam Bighill, right, tackle Hamilton Tiger-Cats' quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (8) during the first half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday August 13, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Quotables:

“It feels good, and I hope to build on it next week. I feel like I started slow and a bit inconsistent early this season with my punting so I’m going in the right direction.”- Leone on his punting perfection

“Other than that missed Field Goal, he had a perfect night. That’s why football is what it is. Nothing is ever taken for granted. When it is, the most unexpected things happen.”- Buono singing the praises of Leone.

“It felt awesome, but it’s all about the team. None of that stuff matters without the W and I am glad our defence and offence came together in the end. It’s all about being men and being resilient. We all knew what we could do.”- Johnson on scoring two touchdowns. He now has three in the last two games.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats' Luke Tasker, left, is hit by B.C. Lions' Steven Clarke as he fails to make the reception during the second half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday August 13, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Next Up:

It will likely be the most important August game the Lions and Stampeders play in quite some time. Calgary invades BC Place next Friday for the third and final regular season meeting. Dickenson and the Stamps remain one point ahead of the Lions for top spot in the West. They defeated Saskatchewan 19-10 earlier on Saturday to improve to 5-1-1.

Fan Poll
Who gets your game ball following the big win over Hamilton?
Manny Arceneaux
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Jonathon Jennings
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Adam Bighill
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Steven Clarke
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Richie Leone
Vote

Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com