Lions 30, Bombers 6: B.C. sacks QB Zach Collaros 7 instances in domination at IG Discipline

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The unbeaten B.C. Lions knew they have been good. The remainder of the league thought they have been, too.

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However have been they ok? Adequate to enter Winnipeg and do one thing just one workforce has finished within the final two years: win?

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B.C. 30, Bombers 6.

That’s as emphatic as a solution can get.

The street to the West Division crown has gone via IG Discipline the previous two years, and the season earlier than that, it was the location of the Gray Cup get together for the CFL champion Bombers.

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However Thursday evening in Winnipeg, the Lions got here out and did doughnuts on the turf. They dominated on either side of the ball and received for the primary time at IG in 5 video games, a streak going again to October 2017.

The Leos, although, are simply getting began. “This win don’t imply nothing,” cornerback TJ Lee informed TSN post-game. The Gray Cup is what they need, not bragging rights.

This defence would possibly simply get them there. In three video games, the Lions (3-0) have given up simply 21 factors, and only a single landing in 39 drives.

The defence held the league’s top-scoring machine in verify, and sacked reigning MOP Zach Collaros seven instances, three coming from Mathieu Betts. Center linebacker Ben Hladik additionally had a fourth-quarter interception that B.C. become a soul-crushing landing on the very subsequent play.

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The Bombers (2-1) had scored 87 factors of their first two video games, together with seven offensive touchdowns, however have been put in a chokehold by the B.C. D, ending with simply 234 yards in offence. Their solely factors got here off the boot of one-time Lions Sergio Castillo, who hit from 37 and 21.

“No West workforce had received in right here since 2018 — that’s wonderful,” mentioned Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. “Our defence, for the second week in a row, doesn’t quit a landing. They’re lights out.

“It’s an superior feeling, however this recreation is over now. We’re gonna watch this movie, and simply begin preparing for Toronto.”

Winnipeg had some early success with Brady Oliveira on the bottom, however needed to abandon the bottom recreation after squandering their scoring probabilities whereas the Lions didn’t. Oliveira had 47 yards within the first half, however simply 5 within the second.

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After holding the Bombers to a area objective close to the top of the primary half, the Lions circled and marched 70 yards in 5 performs, capped off with an Alexander Hollins landing with two seconds left.

Adams, who completed the evening 20-of-29 for 241 yards, two touchdowns, and no picks, mentioned it was a large swing collection. As a substitute of it being 17-10 going into half, it was 17-6.

“That was enormous,” he mentioned.

After Sione Teuhema introduced Collaros down with the Bombers inside the ten on second down, Adams mentioned: “Rick (Campbell) got here as much as me and he mentioned, ‘Hey, we’re gonna go down there and attempt to get three factors.’ Then he corrected himself and mentioned, ‘Hey, let’s go get seven.’ So we went down there and we acquired these factors. It was superior.”

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Adams examined the Bombers secondary with deep pictures early and sometimes, drawing two move interference calls in bombs to Hollins, resulting in the sport’s opening landing from Dom Davis on a one-yard sneak. B.C. solely had 17 yards of offence of the 70 wanted to attain on that drive.

Even with Dominque Rhymes and Keon Hatcher out with accidents, the Lions receivers torched the Winnipeg secondary. Hollins completed the sport with eight catches for 84 yards and a landing, whereas the reactivated and healed Fortunate Whitehead added 5 for 75.

Justin McInnis continued to be a big-play receiver for B.C., his 16-yard high-point catch with 16 seconds left setting the Lions up on the 2. Replays confirmed he may not have caught it, however nobody else did — not even the CFL’s penalty overturning command centre — and the Lions scored on the subsequent play.

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McInnis additionally hauled in a fourth-quarter TD that salted the sport away, a 12-yard rating 5 minutes into the fourth quarter.

Winnipeg kick returner Janarion Grant, who had bedevilled the Lions a number of instances final season, was held largely in verify. He had one 40-yard kickoff return within the fourth quarter, however the ensuing drive fizzled out.

Winnipeg has been practically unbeatable at dwelling. The Montreal Alouettes grounded out a blue-collar 20-17 extra time win in August 2022, however that was the one visiting workforce win previously two years, as Winnipeg has gone 16-1.

“We performed properly begin to end,” mentioned Campbell. “Anytime they tried to get again in it, we wouldn’t allow them to … We got here up with the performs once we wanted them.

“We talked about this not being a make or break soccer recreation. It was an vital recreation as a result of it’s a West Division workforce and it’s on the street, however I like that our guys aren’t celebrating too exhausting.”

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NEXT GAME

Monday, July 3

B.C. Lions vs. Toronto Argonauts

4 p.m., BMO Discipline, TV: TSN, Radio: AM730

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