The end result was precisely what the B.C. Lions have been hoping for, however there’s nonetheless tons to work on after Thursday’s season-opening win over the Calgary Stampeders.
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The Calgary Stampeders are prepared to show the web page and deal with Week 2.
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The B.C. Lions, nonetheless, will be forgiven for desirous to do some guide overview on their 25-15 season-opening win on Thursday evening. The top product was a internet constructive, however there have been some particulars they plan to take care of this week in observe.
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“It was okay. There’s at all times powerful stuff to work on,” stated defensive again Garry Peters, whose unit held Calgary to underneath 5 yards per play and simply 235 general.
“We locked them down, however they missed a few throws. It’s the primary sport of the season, so that you’re gonna have quite a lot of errors. Their offence wasn’t in sync as they most likely have been previously. Lots of credit score goes to our defence, however additionally they helped us lots. So we’ll be lots higher subsequent week.
“Our customary is lots larger than what it was immediately, regardless that to you guys it appeared like an excellent day. So we’ll attempt to return and proper our errors and be even higher.”
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Calgary made it shut on the finish regardless of giving up 403 yards in offence and trailing by 16 within the fourth quarter, however ultimately misplaced to the Lions for the fourth straight time at McMahon Stadium.
“We did make it attention-grabbing, however actually, I didn’t really feel like we had any rhythm the entire sport, and the hill was simply too large to climb. We have been within the gap too deep,” stated Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson. “Should you do the proper issues, and you retain working and discover methods to start out profitable some video games, you may put Week 1 behind you fairly quick. However proper now, it’s definitely a disappointment.”
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THE HOT START
Thursday marked the primary time since 2010 that the Lions received their season opener on the highway, after they beat Edmonton 25-10. B.C. bolted to a 13-0 lead due to Vernon Adams Jr.’s masterful first quarter, as he went 9-for-9 in a 77-yard drive on their first possession, after which 99 yards on seven performs on their third, each leading to Dominque Rhymes touchdowns.
However on his fourth sequence, dealing with a second-and-11, he compelled a deep move to Justin McInnis with the Stamps dashing three and dropping everybody else deep. Stamps linebacker Cam Decide stepped in entrance of the move and returned it to the Lions’ 14-yard line.
It was the beginning of a seven-drive points-drought that didn’t finish till Adams put collectively a 10-play, 70-yard scoring drive halfway via the fourth quarter, capped off by his five-yard scamper into the tip zone.
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“We got here out on fireplace. Stalled out on the following few,” stated Adams, who completed the evening 27-of-35 for 270 yards and three complete touchdowns.
“It’s one sport, you recognize what I’m saying? We’ve obtained to observe the movie. We obtained to get higher from it. And I believe we are going to. However like I stated, I’m feeling much more snug than I used to be final yr, (once I was) getting thrown within the fireplace.”
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THE PLAYS YOU DON’T REMEMBER
Pinned on their very own five-yard line simply earlier than halftime, and attempting to guard their 13-3 lead, the Lions discovered themselves dealing with a first-and-16 and a Stamps defence determined to assist out an offence enjoying in treacle.
Adams scrambled as soon as for six yards, then escaped a collapsing pocket on second down, attending to the sideline and stretching for a primary down.
It ended the hazard of Calgary getting the ball again and probably placing any extra factors on the board, because the Leos ran out the clock to the halftime whistle.
“That was an enormous play when he runs for first down they usually burn their timeouts. Stuff like that’s large,” stated head coach Rick Campbell. “Making first downs, making performs after we wanted it … that’s what it comes all the way down to once you’re enjoying the nice groups in shut video games. You bought to make these well timed performs, and we made sufficient of them tonight.”
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Proper after Dom Davis got here in on third and quick and made an eight-yard acquire to increase a drive, one other self-inflicted wound made issues worse for Calgary on the ultimate play of the third quarter.
The Stamps’ lone sack on the evening was wiped off the board when Tre Robertson determined to offer Adams — already down on the bottom — a headshot. The automated first down stored the Leos in enterprise, and 6 performs later, Adams’ dashing TD prolonged the lead. Tack on two extra penalties on Calgary — a late, excessive hit on Adams, and objectionable conduct — and Stefan Flintoft’s kickoff went 69 yards for a rouge and 22-6 lead.
“It’s early, and I hate utilizing that, as a result of it’s irritating that we didn’t get the win after we might have,” stated Calgary receiver Reggie Begelton, who had six catches for 30 yards.
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“However once you shoot your self within the foot, you not often win video games like that. If you put your self ready of being behind a mountain, you make it more durable than it needs to be.”
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THE PLAYS YOU DO REMEMBER
You anticipate the rookies and CFL newcomers to make the errors, not the vets.
TJ Lee and Peters — two 30-plus-year-old gamers with a mixed 15 years of CFL expertise — had talked previous to the sport about what would occur in the event that they have been to get a turnover. Lee, nursing a nagging ankle harm, would pitch it to Peters.
So when Lee picked off Jake Maier within the third quarter, Peters was prepared and ready for the pitch. Properly, ready, in any case.
Lee’s lateral went off his granite palms, off the Stampeders and out of bounds, and the turnover and been turned again over.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah — they already obtained on me,” Peters stated post-game, laughing.
“We set to work on that. We set to work on that this week. I satisfaction myself on having the perfect palms within the secondary, in order that they was on my head about that. That appears horrible.
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“That wasn’t TJ’s fault in any respect. I advised him to pitch it to me. … I’m like, ‘TJ, pitch it! Pitch it! Pitch it!’ I used to be getting tremendous excited, and it was proper on my fingers. So yeah, it’s positively my fault.”
“Perhaps if he will get extra expertise, he received’t try this anymore,” Campbell quipped post-game.
“We don’t need to do issues like that. The nice: we didn’t panic. I’m joyful that our guys don’t soften down or panic or pout or level fingers. There’s numerous stuff we are able to clear up and get higher at, however I appreciated the best way we competed. I just like the spirit our soccer group has and we are able to overcome these issues.”
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HOME FOR HIP HOP
Rick Campbell may appear like he can be at house at a Jimmy Buffett live performance, however he has a little bit hip hop in his soul. Or, a minimum of, had it on his playlist at one time.
“However I truly know LL Cool J. Not him (personally), however I do know his stuff,” he stated. “I had his first album again within the day, again in highschool.”
Grammy award winner and Rock and Roll Corridor of Famer James Todd Smith — aka Girls Love Cool James — would be the kickoff live performance headliner for subsequent Saturday’s Lions house opener in opposition to the Edmonton Eskimos. Ticket gross sales have been robust earlier than his live performance announcement, however spiked after, with the Lions as soon as once more anticipating 30,000-plus followers in B.C. Place.
“Clearly, we’re attempting to do our half on the sector. I can’t say sufficient about Amar (Doman) and our complete enterprise ops and advertising and marketing (groups). … Man, they bust their butts attempting to get individuals in that stadium and it’s been working. Hopefully we get an enormous crowd subsequent week. There’s nothing like B.C. Place when it’s rockin’. We have been in a position to try this final yr, so let’s try this yet another time this week.”
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Twitter.com/TheRealJJAdams
NEXT GAME
Edmonton Eskimos at B.C. Lions
4 p.m. PT, Saturday, June 17, B.C. Place Stadium
TV: TSN. Radio: AM730
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Lions 25, Stampeders 15: Scorching begin, stifling defence, and loads of Calgary miscues
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B.C. Lions look to make amends for final yr’s West ultimate loss, goal for Gray Cup
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