Subsequent week's Bombers-Lions showdown will form the MOP dialog

Vernon Adams Jr. and Zach Collaros have the identical numbers, however the notion hole between them will be closed when the Bombers go to B.C. Place in an enormous Western recreation.

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B.C. Lions coach Rick Campbell was breaking down Friday’s win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders, noting the affect that lengthy touchdowns from Keon Hatcher and Alex Hollins had on the sport.

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“Huge performs. The CFL is a giant play league,” he mentioned.

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However for one evening, it was Huge Play’s league.

Vernon Adams Jr. got here into Friday’s recreation fretting about accuracy and turnovers, dedicating his week of apply to his throwing mechanics, then completed the sport with 458 yards, three touchdowns and — most significantly to him — zero interceptions.

He accomplished 27-of-36 makes an attempt to go over 450 yards for the second time this season, and his CFL-best sixth 300-yard recreation. Adams’ season complete tops the CFL with 4,005 yards, simply forward of Calgary’s Jake Maier, who has 3,581 heading into the Saturday’s motion.

“This week, a giant focus for me was my accuracy,” mentioned Adams. “These final two video games, I threw 5 interceptions. I used to be going to the correct particular person, nevertheless it’s simply my accuracy simply lacking and at apply this week, I used to be actually targeted on that.

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“We bought a bit scare there within the first half. However playmakers man, these guys, these receivers, making it occur for me. … I simply felt very dialed in.”

The Lions QB hardly ever will get introduced up with the identical frequency that, say, Winnipeg’s Zach Collaros’s title does in relation to the CFL’s Most Excellent Participant award, principally due to Adams’ propensity for picks. However, in a single fewer recreation than Collaros, Adams has extra yards (4,005 to three,738), a better completion share (69-68%), and the hole between their landing/interception totals is nearer than most understand. Collaros has handed for 30 TDs and been picked off 14 occasions; Adams, 28 TDs and 16 picks.

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BC Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (3) throws in opposition to Saskatchewan Roughriders throughout the first half of CFL soccer motion in Regina, on Sunday, August 20, 2023.

All this MOP chatter undoubtedly places the highlight on subsequent Friday, when the Blue Bombers come to Vancouver for the most important recreation of the season. Each groups are 11-4, and the winner has the within observe on ending first within the West, incomes a bye into the divisional closing.

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The tip prize is extra necessary to Adams than a sure acronym.

“I need to win a championship. That’s a very powerful factor. If MOP comes, it comes,” mentioned Adams. “Zach is on a special stage. He’s been the chief of QBs the previous few years, an excellent comeback story. I simply I need to deal with simply successful and hopefully get this win subsequent week, after which simply take it one recreation at a time.

“(First place) is a big benefit, man. You already know Winnipeg desires it. We wish it as nicely. … Stress is a privilege. I feel all the blokes now in our locker room have been constructed for it. And you understand, (Winnipeg’s) a superb staff — an excellent staff. Thrice (they received the) Gray Cup in a row and a whole lot of the identical gamers are over there.

“We have to carry our ‘A’ recreation — A+ recreation — once we play in opposition to them subsequent week.”

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In Week 3, B.C. rolled into IG Discipline and smoked the Bombers 30-6. Six weeks later, Winnipeg dropped a nickel bomb on B.C., successful 50-14 in probably the most outlandish two-game level swings in CFL historical past.

Each these video games despatched statements. The winner of subsequent week’s recreation can be one cease nearer to being despatched to a Gray Cup. However Campbell was nonetheless hyped on the actual fact there was going to be playoff soccer at B.C. Place this yr; it’s the primary time since 2011 and 2012 that the Lions have had consecutive years with playoff video games at residence.

“I informed our gamers I’m excited that they put us on this place of getting huge regular-season video games,” mentioned Campbell. “These are all large tiebreaker video games. … And that makes the Winnipeg recreation doubly necessary. It’s not solely who wins the sport, nevertheless it’s actually as much as two video games swing due to the tiebreaker.

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“They’re a extremely good soccer staff. They’re, and I feel we’re, too. Our guys have a knack for rising to the event, however to be sincere with you, … I do know subsequent week is gonna be thrilling, however I’m simply excited to clinch a house playoff recreation and glad there’s going to be one other playoff recreation in downtown Vancouver for the second yr. That’s an enormous deal.

“I assume I’ll get my thoughts wrapped across the Winnipeg factor developing.”

It will likely be an intensive week for the defence on the staff’s apply facility this week. Collaros and Co. carved them up within the second assembly this yr, with the Bombers QB connecting for 162 yards and two touchdowns on his first three passes. By the point the third quarter was midway achieved, Winnipeg was up 37-5.

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And after giving up 411 yards to Jake Dolegala on Friday, there’s some defensive points that want addressing.

“I feel we ran a bit bit out of gasoline,” Campbell mentioned, because the Riders scored twice within the closing 1:19 to make it shut.

“Simply wanting on the locker room, they have been completely happy, however I feel it was a drained group

“While you get to this time of yr and the quantity of power they put in and dedication to the apply week … (I) need to be actually good with these guys and ensure they’re nicely rested. I feel that’s what it comes all the way down to particularly within the these previous couple of weeks of the season: what staff has a full tank of gasoline and might go for these 60 minutes.”

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NEXT GAME

Winnipeg Blue Bombers at B.C. Lions

Friday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m., B.C. Place

TV: TSN. Radio: AM730


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