The BC Lions visited Percival Molson Memorial Stadium to start the CFL Saturday doubleheader against the Montreal Alouettes. The Lions were looking to win two straight games.
On the Lions first possession of the first quarter. Lions quarterback Mike Reilly led the offense down to the Alouettes’ two-yard line. Then, Lions running back James Butler rushed for a two-yard touchdown to put the Lions up 7-0.
On the Alouettes’ first possession, quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. and William Stanback led the team down to the Lions’ ten-yard line. Then, Vernon Adams Jr’s pass was intercepted by T.J. Lee at the goal line.
Both the Lions and Alouettes defenses kept the game 7-0 at the end of the first quarter with the Lions in possession of the ball.
The Lions punted to begin the second quarter. Once again, Vernon Adams Jr. and the offense went down the field to the Lions’ 28-yard line before David Cote’s 35-yard field cut the Lions lead 7-3 with 11:33 left.
On the Lions first drive of the second quarter, the Lions’ offense gave quarterback Mike Reilly time before throwing a 75-yard touchdown pass to Lucky Whitehead for a 14-3 lead with 10:56 left.
On the next Alouettes possession, Vernon Adams Jr. got to the Lions’ 36-yard line before the drive stalled. For the second time in the game, kicker David Cote made a 43-yard field goal. They were now trailing 14-6 with 9:25 left in the second quarter.
The Lions answer to the field goal was Mike Reilly driving the team down to the Alouettes’ 36-yard line. Then Jimmy Camacho made a 43-yard field goal, extending the lead 17-6. For the remainder of the second quarter, the Alouettes’ offense moved the ball to the Lions side, but all they came away with was two David Cote field goals. They now trailed 17-12 at halftime.
Early in the third quarter, Vernon Adams Jr. threw the ball into double coverage that was caught by Eugene Lewis. The Alouettes’ offense moved the ball down to the Lions’ 19-yard line before David Cote made his fifth field goal of the game that cut the Lions lead to 17-15.
For the remainder of the third quarter, neither offense did much, and the score remained 17-15 Lions to begin the fourth quarter.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Lions quarterback Mike Reilly made two good passes, then he threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Keon Hatcher for a 24-15 lead with 8:41 remaining in the game.
After the Alouettes offense moved the ball to the Lions’ 16-yard line, kicker David Cote made his sixth field goal of the game with a 23-yarder trailing 24-18.
Late in the game, the Lions’ offense took their time marching down the field, forcing the Alouettes to use their timeouts. The Lions sealed the game with thirty-six seconds left on a 16-yard field goal by Jimmy Camacho for a 27-18 lead.
The Lions’ defense got the ball out of Alouettes quarterback Vernon Adam Jr’s hands and recovered it to end the game. The Lions beat the Alouettes 27-18.
BC Lions quarterback Mike Reilly finished the night 21/25 for 308-yards, two touchdowns, and 33-yards rushing. James Butler led the team rushing with 12 carries for 36-yards and one touchdown. Lucky Whitehead led in receiving with six receptions for 133-yards and one touchdown. The defense recorded one sack, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
For the Alouettes, quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. went 16/36 for 270-yards, and 44-yards rushing. William Stanback had 18 carries for 139-yards. Eugene Lewis led the receivers with four receptions for 85-yards, and the defense recorded two sacks. Kicker David Cote scored all the points for the Alouettes. He went six for six.
Next week, The Alouettes take on the Toronto Argonauts on Friday, September 24th, at 7:30 pm on ESPN+. On the same day, the BC Lions host the Saskatchewan Roughriders at 10:30 pm on ESPN2.
