The B.C. Lions hosted the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday night from B.C. Place Stadium with a spot in the Western Final up for grabs. In the regular season, the Lions took two out of three from Calgary.
In their last matchup, the media and fans wondered if we would see a repeat of Week 20 when Calgary took it to the Lions and won that game 41-16. B.C. remembered that game and made a statement. However, the Lions did not get off to a good start.
In the first quarter, Calgary quarterback Jake Maier threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Marken Michel for a 7-0 lead with 12:57 left. That would be Calgary’s only lead in the game.
Later in the first quarter, Jake Maier’s pass was intercepted by Garry Peters. The turnover would lead to Vernon Adams Jr.’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Jevon Cottoy that tied the game 7-7 with 4:14 left of the first quarter. Late in the first quarter, B.C. quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. could not find an open receiver before taking off for a 6-yard touchdown for a 14-7 lead. The Lions led 14-7 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Calgary kicker Rene Paredes kicked a 27-yard field goal which cut B.C.’s lead to 14-10 with 8:47 left. Later in the second quarter, B.C. quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. scrambled for a 4-yard touchdown which made it 21-10 with 4:58 left of the second quarter.
Then, with 2:10 left, Calgary kicker Rene Paredes kicked a 34-yard field goal which made it 21-13. Late in the second quarter, B.C. quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Keon Hatcher for a 28-13 lead at halftime.
B.C. had 292 yards on offense. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. completed 18 of 23 passes (78%) for 261 yards, two touchdowns, three carries for 13 yards, and two rushing touchdowns. Running back Taquan Mizzell had four carries for 18 yards, and wide receiver Keon Hatcher made six catches for 106 yards and one touchdown.
Calgary had 203 yards on offense. Quarterback Jake Maier completed 10 of 14 passes (71%) for 163 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Running back Ka’Deem Carey had 10 carries for 38 yards, and wide receiver Reggie Begelton made four catches for 70 yards.
In the third quarter, the two teams traded field goals. First, Calgary kicker Rene Paredes kicked a 38-yard field goal which made it 28-16 with 11:46 left. Then, Rene Paredes converted a 42-yard field goal that made it 28-19 with 7:33 left, and B.C. kicker Sean Whyte made a 17-yard field goal for a 31-19 lead with three minutes left of the third quarter. The Lions led 31-19 with one quarter left to play.
In the fourth quarter, B.C. quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. rushed for a 1-yard touchdown for a 38-19 lead with 12:59 left. Later in the fourth quarter, B.C. kicker Sean Whyte kicked a 30-yard field goal for a 41-19 lead with 10:03 left.
Later in the fourth quarter, Calgary kicker Rene Paredes kicked a 47-yard field goal which made it 41-22 with 7:12 left. Late in the fourth quarter, Calgary quarterback Jake Maier threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Begelton. They converted a two-point conversion that made it 41-30 with 1:11 left in the game.
Calgary had one more shot to get closer to B.C. but Jake Maier’s pass was intercepted by Marcus Sayles which ended the game. The Lions defeated the Stampeders by the final score of 41-30. They advance to the Western Final against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at 6:30 pm on CFL+.
B.C. had 482 yards on offense. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. completed 28 of 39 passes (72%) for 413 yards, two touchdowns, seven carries for 54 yards, and three touchdowns. Running back Taquan Mizzell had 11 carries for 28 yards, and wide receiver Keon Hatcher made 9 catches for 195 yards and one touchdown. B.C.’s defense made 37 tackles, one sack, and one interception.
Calgary had 371 yards on offense. Quarterback Jake Maier completed 23 of 34 passes (68%) for 304 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Running back Ka’Deem Carey had 14 carries for 75 yards and wide receiver Reggie Begelton made 8 catches for 112 yards and one touchdown. Calgary’s defense made 43 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
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