Garry Peters is adamant.
The B.C. Lions defence has earned its title of B次元官网网址渂est in the league.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淎s a defence, you donB次元官网网址檛 see a lot of guys complaining out there. The guys are always picking each other up and it comes from during the week,B次元官网网址� said the defensive back from Conyers, Ga. B次元官网网址淓verybody is positive, you donB次元官网网址檛 see guys moping around when getting subbed out.B次元官网网址�
The defence in question has allowed the CFLB次元官网网址檚 fewest points this season, entering Week 9 with just 94 points against B次元官网网址� and nearly half of those came in a 45-24 loss to the Toronto Argonauts.
The Lions have secured two shutouts and have held opponents to single-digits four times through seven games.
Peters attributes this success to a combination of thorough preparation and increased maturity.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not little boys anymore, weB次元官网网址檙e grown men,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲hen life hits you, you canB次元官网网址檛 come out here take this job for granted because someone else is looking to take your job.
B次元官网网址淟ooking across the (defence) we have those players on our defence. Our defence is hungry.B次元官网网址�
Lions head coach Rick Campbell echoed his defensive backB次元官网网址檚 sentiments, emphasizing B.C.B次元官网网址檚 strength in numbers approach.
B次元官网网址滻tB次元官网网址檚 a collective effort of the 12 guys on the field and our coaching staff working together,B次元官网网址� Campbell said.
After SaturdayB次元官网网址檚 27-0 blowout win against the Edmonton Elks, defensive back Emmanuel Rugamba emphasized the teamB次元官网网址檚 collective motivation.
B次元官网网址淲e thrive on each otherB次元官网网址檚 success, whether itB次元官网网址檚 a pick, QB pressure, a sack, or a big hit. We draw tremendous energy from those moments,B次元官网网址� he said.
The Lions are the first team since the 1970 Calgary Stampeders to record two shutouts in the same season B次元官网网址� and the first team to ever blank the same opponent twice in the same season.
Both of the LionsB次元官网网址� shutouts this season have come against the winless Elks.
B次元官网网址淭hat must mean weB次元官网网址檙e pretty special,B次元官网网址� Rugamba said.
Apart from the historic shutout marker, the LionsB次元官网网址� defence is creating another record-breaking story. Defensive lineman Mathieu Betts is on track to break the record for most sacks by a Canadian player, with an impressive 10 sacks through seven games.
ItB次元官网网址檚 been some time since a Canadian led the CFL in sacks. Ricky Foley of Courtice, Ont., then playing for B.C., finished tied with American John Bowman B次元官网网址� the LionsB次元官网网址� defensive line coach B次元官网网址� in 2009 (12 each).
Hall of Famer Brent Johnson, of Kingston, Ont., another former Lion, led in 2005 (17, most in a season by a Canadian) and 2006 (16). He was the CFLB次元官网网址檚 top Canadian both seasons and also its outstanding defensive player in B次元官网网址�06.
The CFLB次元官网网址檚 leading rusher and his Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the Lions and their top-ranked defence Thursday at IG Field.
Brady Oliveira is ready for a LionsB次元官网网址� defence he described as a fast group thatB次元官网网址檚 benefitting from continuity.
B次元官网网址淚 love the challenge. The bigger the challenge, the better it is,B次元官网网址� Oliveira said Wednesday after WinnipegB次元官网网址檚 walk-through.
B次元官网网址淭he sweeter it will taste at the end of the game when we have that victory, knowing that we put it on a great defence.B次元官网网址�
Oliveira tops the leagueB次元官网网址檚 ball carriers with 526 yards off 103 rushes, including one touchdown. His 75.1-yard average through seven games is also a league-high.
B.C. sits third in the league in allowing 67.3 yards rushing. Winnipeg is sixth (94.9).
The Lions most recent shutout prompted Campbell to call his defence the B次元官网网址淒oughnut BoysB次元官网网址� in a locker-room video. He didnB次元官网网址檛 take credit for coming up with a sweet nickname for his defence, explaining some players were discussing pitching a zero.
B次元官网网址淭hey were talking and I said B次元官网网址業B次元官网网址檓 OK with the Doughnut Boys,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Campbell said Wednesday upon arrival in Winnipeg.
He knows the shutout was a rare accomplishment and praised the group effort of players and coaches.
The Lions allow the fewest points per game (13.4), plus opponents have scored just five touchdowns through seven games.
The Blue Bombers are second in the West at 5-2. A B.C. win secures the season series between the two clubs for the Lions.
The teams clash again Oct. 6 on the West Coast.
The visiting Lions handed Winnipeg its biggest loss in June when a 30-6 victory included the sacking Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros a season-high seven times.
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