For a second straight game it was a battle of two finely tuned defensive machines, but a jubilant BC Lions football team forcibly take four points over the past two weeks from the CFL leading Saskatchewan Roughriders, as the Leos torch the Rider Nation’s pride and joy, this time by a score of 27-21.

 

The game featured the return to the lineup of BC’s great kick returner and running back Ian Smart, after sitting out his last game at home in the first of the back to back mini series. Smart, who other than a fumble on his first kick off return, was again brilliant this game, giving his team good field position throughout the night.

 

Lion’s RB Stefan Logan came off a stunning performance while filling in for Smart last week earning him the CFL’s Special Teams Player of the Week Award. In that game Smart ran back four kickoffs for 128 yards, including one for 58 yards. He also returned five punts for 48 yards.

 

Going into the series, the Roughriders looked to be less of the dominant force they were earlier on in the season. No end of injuries and a revolving door around their quarter-backing position has offered them untold challenges, but in-spite of the never ending parade of walking wounded cluttering up the prairie province’s health care system, and the unsettling situation in the pivot position, they’ve actually managed to barely hold onto first place in the West and overall CFL standings.

 

The Lions on the other hand have regained much of their game, led by a tenacious, we got pride, swarming, attacking, we’re here on business, ball hog defense which finally again is demonstrating a will to win.

On that note the Leos flattened Roughrider QB’s 3 times in this one giving them a league leading 40 sacks for the season.

 

The Buck Pierce led offence had trouble moving the ball for a second straight time, some of which was caused by an aggressive Roughrider defense, but mostly a result of the BC QB not being able to connect with receivers, and when he did there were an untold number of times catchable balls were dropped. Had Paul McCallum not hit six for six in the FG dept., the offense’s inability to make plays and downs would have cost the Lions the game.

A stunning statistic was, the 9 points scored off McCallums toe at the end of the first half was all the Lions could muster from the six turnovers gifted them by the Riders.

 

Pierce gave way to Jarious Jackson late in the game after an explosive hit while running the ball. Again on more than one occasion he looked to be favoring his right arm and hand prior to the altercation and Leo fans can only hope this isn’t more of the same type injury he’s been plagued with for most of his career here.

 

I have concerns with Jarious Jackson’s return and cerebral game. His ability to run the offence is to my mind in question. I very much want to be wrong in this assessment.

 

The loss not only brings the Roughriders down to earth again, now tied with the Stamps for first in the West at 8-4-0, but puts BC 7-5-0, firmly back in contention in a very strong inter divisional race and looking like they just may now be for real. The Esks play Sunday afternoon at one PM in Montreal to round out this weeks standings.

 

 

 

Dante Marsh was back patrolling the left CB position tonight. Opposing teams had begun taking liberties by working on what was a weakness in Marsh’s absence and getting away with it.

 

A highlight reel moment occurred in the final frame when the Riders found themselves on the Lions one with a first down. A Rider touchdown at that point could possibly have all but smoked the Leos, as momentum had shifted in favor of the Riders and the BC offense was suspect at the time. The Leo D came through in spades with three straight stops, pushing the Roughriders back and essentially all but dashing their hopes.

 

Sask rookie Stu Foord may have even surprised himself in this one. In his first game as a pro he scored 2 touchdowns, one on a brilliant run, another on a pass and run play providing most of the Roughrider offence.

 

Sincere condolences to all those close to the Little General, Rider Nation’s the great Ron Lancaster, who passed his last yard this week.

My little brother and I sat through too many plunderings by Ron and George et al, as they most often spanked our heros in the mud, at old Empire Stadium.

 

RIP # 23.You will be sorely missed.