Stampeders 41, Lions 16: If it was a personality check, B.C. simply failed it badly

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The B.C. Lions misplaced 41-16 to the Calgary Stampeders Friday evening at B.C. Place Stadium.

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That lede, girls and gents, is an instance of a author mailing it in. A bare-bones endeavour, missing in creativity and energy.

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Identical to the Lions Friday evening.

Whether or not it was kicking a discipline objective on first down with 33 seconds left within the first half — down 17-0 on the time, with a timeout nonetheless within the scabbard — as an alternative of attempting no less than one shot on the finish zone, or the detached tackling and pointless penalties that led to a CFL season-long 109-yard landing drive for Calgary, the Lions have been missing.

“I feel that occurred to the Lions about an hour in the past,” chortled one author within the press field, because the lights went out for the workforce’s Darkness Falls halftime video.

There was plenty of discuss taking this recreation severely, placing strain on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to must win Saturday to remain in first-place place, yada yada. However precise vim and vigour? Nada.

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There was some hearth, nevertheless it got here within the type of post-whistle punches (Sione Teuhema, ejected from the sport) and annoyed two-hand shoves (Amir Siddiqi) that drew 15-yard flags.

Within the second quarter, trailing 10-0, the Lions (12-6) had a first-and-goal from the 2. Leos QB Dom Davis plunged into the pile with the ball, however the Stamps emerged with it. They set off on a 109-yard drive that featured Mathieu Betts’ Canadian file 18th sack of the season, Teuhema’s pugilistic gaffe, and Reggie Begelton head-topping B.C.’s TJ Lee on a 44-yard completion.

Each groups have been so prepared for the sport to finish, that they each kneeled the ball thrice to wipe out the ultimate 1:30 left on the clock, beginning with the Lions.

Vernon Adams Jr. began the sport, seeking to crack the 5,000 yard mark and add to his MOP bid, however was sacked thrice and sailed his move over the top of Justin McInnis for an interception earlier than prudently stepping apart at halftime. He completed the sport 9-of-13 for 116 yards and an interception, and ends the common season with 4,769 yards.

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Dane Evans changed Adams for the sport’s second half, and led a 13-play, 75-yard scoring drive capped off by a JaQuan Hardy plunge from two yards out. He went 14-of-20 for 125 yards, one landing — a 19-yard catch-and-run to Jevon Cottoy — whereas getting picked off thrice. The third was on two-point conversion try.

Calgary’s Jake Maier was 10-of-21 for 123 yards, however his two landing passes got here after interceptions set him up contained in the purple zone.

Betts’ sack, which broke the file set for sacks by a Canadian in 2005 by Lions legend Brent Johnson, was the blossom that sprouted from the … properly, you understand. He had one other sack within the third quarter worn out by a questionable roughing the passer name. Flags have been a problem all evening for B.C., as that they had 10 for 117 yards.

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The salt within the wound got here on a third-and-2 from the  B.C. 39-yard line, when Peyton Logan bought the nook on Bo Lokombo, then raced down the sideline for a landing that sparked boos and an emptying out the vastly diminished crowd much more.

The Lions almost conceded two 100-yard rushers in the identical recreation, with Logan racking up 105 yards, and Ka’Deem Carey one other 88 on 12 carries.

Keon Hatcher was a late scratch for B.C., getting pulled from the beginning lineup after warmups. His alternative within the lineup, Justin McInnis, had his second 100-yard recreation of the season, making seven catches for 108 yards.

Ought to the Saskatchewan Roughriders lose Saturday towards the Toronto Argonauts, it might the Stampeders who go to B.C. Place for the West Division semifinal on Nov. 4. Friday evening’s end result will definitely give them a psychological enhance, ought to they make it to the post-season. Even when the Riders win tomorrow, Calgary can have an opportunity to move them subsequent week after they go to Winnipeg of their regular-season finale.

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The Bombers now haven’t any strain on them for his or her last two common season video games, and have a bye to the West Ultimate on Saturday, Nov. 11 in Winnipeg.

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