Six interceptions by Vernon Adams scuttled any possibilities of a Lions victory at BMO Discipline
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Vernon Adams Jr. jitterbugged his means out of strain, stepped up within the pocket and, spying an unmarked Justin McInnis, unleashed a laser.
And, for the sixth time Monday evening at BMO Discipline in Toronto, the B.C. Lions quarterback was picked off.
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It was Toronto Argonauts defensive again Robertson Daniel, for the third time, who intercepted the move, and this one he took to the home, jitterbugging his means 62 yards into the tip zone to cap off a 45-24 victory.
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The ultimate interception could possibly be filed underneath the desperation class, with the Lions trailing by 14 with 70 seconds left, however the earlier 5 couldn’t. 4 of them had been unhealthy choices and/or throws, and one was a cleverly disguised protection that tricked Adams.
Toronto (3-0) was getting constant strain, sacking the Leos QB thrice Monday, however his reads and reactions had been nowhere close to the extent he’d proven in his 9 different video games with B.C.
“Clearly, you gotta handle the ball,” mentioned Adams, who has now had three or extra interceptions in three CFL video games over his profession.
“I believe all people performed onerous on the market, man. They performed their butts off — our complete workforce. Defence did an incredible job, too.
“I obtained to handle the ball, be higher for my workforce. Once I was watching the movie on the sideline, I believe I had a couple of checkdowns, perhaps forcing some issues there. … Simply making an attempt to make performs and also you don’t want to try this. Simply test it all the way down to the fellows and let’s stay to combat one other day.”
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Adams did rack up 388 yards and three touchdowns on 24-of-39 passing, out-passing his Argos counterpart Chad Kelly, who had 249 yards and one landing whereas finishing 23 of 29 makes an attempt. However Kelly by no means had as far to drive as Adams, with the interceptions setting Toronto up with brief fields.
Their three offensive touchdowns got here on drives of 17, 19 and 22 yards; their solely drive longer than 45 yards was their final — a 13-play, 78-yard grind that includes 9 A.J. Oullette runs as they killed the clock, and the sport, ending with a Boris Bede discipline aim from the 45.
SELF-INFLICTED WOUNDS
Penalties additionally pushed the Lions (3-1) deeper within the gap dug by the interceptions. Brief-yardage QB Dom Davis was flagged for a time depend violation with the Lions transferring on their third drive, seeking to construct on their seven-point first-quarter lead. It stalled their momentum, forcing a punt, which Toronto’s Javonte Leake then took 91 yards to pay filth.
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The subsequent drive, Adams was picked off by Daniel, who returned it to the 22. It appeared just like the injury can be restricted to a discipline aim after the Lions stuffed the Argos twice from the 2, however CFL beginner Amir Siddiqi had lined up within the impartial zone on second down, giving the Argos a contemporary set of downs. They scored a landing on the following play.
The Lions had been flagged 13 occasions for 107 yards in penalties, truly lower than Toronto (10/125), however the timing of them was much more debilitating.
“They’re upset in shedding, as a result of they’re aggressive guys. However on the identical time, I informed them I’m not falling out of affection with them as a result of we had a nasty day on the workplace,” mentioned Lions coach Rick Campbell. “Additionally, credit score to Toronto. They’re workforce and so they made the performs essential to win the sport.
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“We had too many detrimental issues to beat. I favored that we saved battling, however an excessive amount of detrimental soccer.”
BY THE NUMBERS
3: Begins for Toronto QB Chad Kelly. Together with his uncle, NFL legend Jim Kelly, watching from the stands on Monday, he was environment friendly, and his decision-making was flawless.
3: Picks for Daniel. He had 108 return yards on these picks, together with 4 tackles, and was a menace all evening within the Argos secondary.
3: Sacks by the Toronto defence. The Lions had three as effectively, with Mathieu Betts getting two of them, extending his CFL-leading whole to eight.
413: Web yards for the Lions, to the 329 of Toronto — a big chunk of which got here on their closing time-wasting drive.
70: Dashing yards for Oullette, together with a landing. However 38 of these got here on the Argos’ final (did I point out, clock chewing) drive? The Argos league-leading rush assault had been held in test to that time.
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32: Years for the reason that Argonauts began a season 3-0. They received the Gray Cup that yr (1991).
104: Yards receiving for Keon Hatcher, who made his debut after beginning the season on the IR. He had a landing and a tremendous juggling catch on his again, whereas Dominque Rhymes had two touchdowns on 65 yards receiving.
PICKING UP THE PIECES
The loss was a letdown for B.C., particularly after their dominating exorcism of their Winnipeg demons final week in Winnipeg. However the message from coach Campbell remained the identical for the Lions, who’re again on the sector in opposition to the Montreal Alouettes subsequent Sunday (4 p.m. PT at B.C. Place)
“We didn’t wish to rejoice too onerous after we beat a extremely good workforce like Winnipeg, and we will’t go on the tank on this one,” mentioned Campbell. “We’ll be upset for certain, as a result of shedding will not be enjoyable. I informed (the gamers) while you enroll on this sport for the highs of profitable, you additionally signal as much as get your tail kicked occasionally. And that’s what occurred immediately. However , we’ve obtained to bounce again and play Montreal workforce subsequent Sunday.”
Added Betts: “We’re not altering something. We’re simply sticking to what we do good — and we didn’t do good immediately. We’ll return to work on Tuesday and prepare for Montreal.”
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