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October 5, 2016

Lions And Bombers Clash!

CLICK HERE FOR THE PREVIEW FOR THIS WEEK’S GAME (OCTOBER 14TH) WHEN THE BLUE BOMBERS (9-6) COME INTO TOWN TO BC PLACE TO TAKE ON THE BC LIONS (9-5) FOR BATTLE FOR SECOND PLACE IN THE WEST!

(OCTOBER 5, 2016) The run through the Wild, Wild West begins this afternoon when your BC Lions (9-4) visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (8-6) in the first of a critical home and home series. The teams will meet again at BC Place on Friday, October 14th so you know these next two games will go a long way in determining who hosts a playoff game in November. With a win or tie, Jonathon Jennings and the Lions would assure themselves of a playoff berth for a 20th consecutive year. They currently have the longest active post-season streak in the CFL and second longest of all-time behind Edmonton who qualified every year from 1972-2005. “It’s huge. It says a lot about the ownership of the club and the coaches that have come through here,” Jennings said of the pending playoff milestone. “It’s exciting for us to be a part of that and we’re excited for the opportunity to go out there and do it again.” At the same time, Jennings understands the obstacle he and the team must face first: taking down a hungry Blue Bombers squad looking to snap a two-game losing streak. They previously won seven in a row. “It’s going to be a tough game. We’ve seen what Winnipeg has done this season. They’ve done a great job of getting turnovers and playing smart football. We have to go in there and limit our mistakes and attack them as we have in the past.” Following the back to backs, they will close out the regular season at home to Edmonton (Oct. 22) and with a home and home against Saskatchewan (Oct. 29 and November 5th).

Here are some other key storylines for Saturday’s clash:

 Good Day Old Friend

Former Lions running back Andrew Harris makes his return after suffering an ankle injury in the Bombers’ Banjo Bowl victory over Saskatchewan on September 10th. Needless to say, Ryan Phillips and the rest of the Lions’ defence are looking forward to facing their old friend for the first time. “He’s a teammate and a friend of mine and that’s going to be for life, but once we get between the lines we understand it’s business,” Phillips said. “I know he will definitely get a little more motivated to play us, I know he’s going to be up for the challenge and he wants to help his team get in a position to host a home playoff game too.” Injuries aside, Harris has benefited from playing for his hometown team; his 677 rushing yards are good enough for third in the CFL, behind only Jerome Messam and Brandon Whitaker.

Harris told bluebombers.com:

“I’m declaring myself good to go. If the coaches want to make a change, that’s up to them but I feel ready to play. It’s going to be fun going against them, especially guys like Adam (Bighill), Solomon (Elimimian) and Ryan (Phillips). It’s going to be a different game. Obviously it’s different playing against your old team, your old coaches and stuff. It just highlights it that much more.”

Upon hearing the comments from his pal Phillips, Harris stated:

“Once the whistle blows I’m going to try to hit him in the mouth. After that, I guarantee there will be a lot of laughs, a lot of smiles. But that’s part of the game, that’s what makes it fun. Between the whistles you battle, you grind it out and you’re competing. And then after it’s all said and done you’re still friends and still respect each other.”

It will no doubt be another worthy challenge for the Leos’ elite run-stoppers. His accomplishments in BC were remarkable: Two CFL All-Star selections, two more West Division All-Star nods and of course there was the 2011 Grey Cup where he was named the top Canadian after helping the Lions dispatch Winnipeg 34-23. He is one of the best to ever don Lions orange and will no doubt get a positive reception when he returns to BC Place for the re-match.

Quotable: Buono’s Approach To Back to Backs

“When I was in Alberta we used to have them every year. It was guaranteed. The thing about it is, one game had no resemblance to the other game. The atmosphere is different, the ballpark is different, the whole mindset is all totally different. I don’t look at back to backs, I just look at the next game on the schedule. I don’t want to think about game two before we play game one.”

Next Man Up

Shawn Gore has been officially ruled out after leaving last week’s win with concussion-like symptoms, while right tackle Antonio Johnson went down on Tuesday with an injured ankle. Stephen Adekolu starts at wide receiver in Gore’s place. The third-year playmaker made his first CFL catch after Gore went down and is ready to contribute this weekend.”It’s like Christmas morning every game,” Adekolu said of the possibility of starting. “You’re excited because you’re playing football regardless, but you might get that tap on the shoulder. I keep that mindset that I am a starter so that when I do get slotted in I can definitely produce and contribute to the offence.” Rookie Shaq Johnson climbs the depth chart and will dress this week as well. Meanwhile, Newcomer Kelvin Palmer filled in at Johnson’s spot on the offensive line and Wally Buono says he would be ready to make his first career start. Both Palmer and Johnson will be with the team in Winnipeg, with a decision still to come.

83 Adekolu Stephen about to catch

 Three Keys To Victory

Get To Nichols: Defensive line coach Robin Ross took note of the fact his group put very little pressure on Ottawa’s Trevor Harris last week. A big part of his game plan in practice has been the importance of reversing that trend against Matt Nichols. The Bombers pivot helped engineer a seven-game win streak after taking over from Drew Willy when they were 1-4. Ross’s troops, led by team sacks leader Alex Bazzie, will make it their priority to pressure him early and often.

Win The Turnover Battle: The Bomber’s defence has recorded the most interceptions (22), as well as the most defensive touchdowns (5) this season. Given the amount of playmakers at his disposal, Jennings can help determine the outcome by doing exactly what he said they need to: Play mistake free football. On the other side, if the defence can beat Winnipeg at their own game by forcing a couple turnovers of their own, it could be the recipe for success.

Control The Special Teams Battle: We have a hunch the Lions are due to make a big statement on special teams. With Chris Rainey always a force to be reckoned with on the return game, look for him to solve the Bombers’ stellar kick coverage, one that has allowed the least amount of return yards per punt, 8.1 to be precise. Special teams will be key in the Manitoba Capital.

BC Lions' Chris Rainey carries the ball forward during second half CFL football action against the Toronto Argonauts, in Toronto on Wednesday, August 31, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Chris Young

Extra Yardage

 Despite not being able to beat out the Lions for a post-season berth last season, the Blue Bombers won both regular season meetings. The match up at Investor’s Group field was a 23-13 Winnipeg victory on July 30th and they prevailed 29-26 on October 10th at BC Place, courtesy a last second field goal by Sergio Castillo.

Since it opened in 2013, the Lions have won two out of three visits to Winnipeg’s fancy new digs.

History watch is on: Adam Bighill is 11 defensive tackles shy of 100 for the season and looks to join Solomon Elimimian who reached the century mark last week. No team in CFL history has had two players record 100 or more defensive stops in the same year.

Tori Gurley is listed on the Bombers’ depth chart as a backup to Weston Dressler at wide receiver. Gurley was signed this week, not too long after his surprise release from the Toronto Argonauts. In two meetings against the Lions this season, Gurley has nine catches for 129 yards and a touchdown.

This contest can be heard on TSN 1040 with Scott Rintoul and Giulio Caravatta. Kickoff is at 1:00PM PT. Bob Marjanovich, Chris Burns and Lowell Ullrich have pre-game coverage at 11:00AM PT.

Viewers can watch on TSN 1, 3 or 5 and those south of the border can tune in on ESPN 3. In addition, Buono, Jennings and Elimimian will be mic’d up throughout the broadcast!

Fan Poll
Who has been the Lions Most Outstanding Player So Far in 2016?
Jonathon Jennings
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Manny Arceneaux
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Solomon Elimimian
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Adam Bighill
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Other
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Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com