ItB次元官网网址檚 never as good as it looks when you win and itB次元官网网址檚 never as bad as it looks when you lose.
ItB次元官网网址檚 an expression my former co-host Chris Burns would use when describing a lopsided game in the CFL. Actually, I think Burnsy might have learned that expression while playing offensive line for the late Ron Lancaster when the latter was the head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats but I digress.
That expression could probably be used to describe what happened at IG Field in Winnipeg on Thursday night.
In the much-anticipated showdown between the B.C. Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers, it was the Bombers who scored the knockout punch early in a decisive 50-14 win against the Lions B次元官网网址� and in the process avenging a 30-6 loss at home to the very same Lions on June 22nd.
So what happened?
The Bombers were coming off a bye-week, well-rested after an 13-day break and were buoyed by the return of Kyrie Wilson and Winston Rose on defence. Corner Demerio Houston, defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat and receiver Kenny Lawler were also in the lineup this time around.
Meanwhile, the Lions were playing on a short week with four days between their 27-0 victory in Edmonton on Saturday and the game in Winnipeg.
It really wasnB次元官网网址檛 as much about the short week B次元官网网址� the Lions beat the Bombers in June on four days rest B次元官网网址� as it was the inability to meet the Bombers energy level and intensity that did the Lions in.
B次元官网网址淚 thought they played really well and give them full credit. They played with great energy and we just didnB次元官网网址檛 match it. Part of our calling card is not giving up big plays and those big playsB次元官网网址specially early in the gameB次元官网网址e were just trying to recover from them and we never could,B次元官网网址� Lions head coach Rick Campbell told the media after the game.
The Bombers came out flying, scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions totalling four plays that accounted for 162 yards. Zach Collaros hit Dalton Schoen on a 71-yard pass on the opening drive after the Lions had the Bombers pinned on their five-yard-line facing a 1st and 15 situation. On the very next series, the Bombers scrimmaged from their own 53-yard line after the Lions punted and all it took was one play for Collaros to hit Kenny Lawler for a 57-yard strike for a touchdown to make the score 14-0.
The rout was on.
A Lions defence that had come into the game not giving up a touchdown on their previous 44 possessions wound up surrendering six majors in 15 drives.
What made a bad situation even worse was when the Lions lost starting quarterback Dane Evans due to a rib injury right before the half after being hit by BombersB次元官网网址� linebacker Adam Bighill. The end result was the Lions only touchdown of the night coming on a 30-yard fumble recovery by Bo Lokombo five minutes into the fourth quarter.
B次元官网网址淲e have nothing to say really. They played their best game and we didnB次元官网网址檛 show up. The biggest thing we can do now is go back to Vancouver, get our bodies healthy, learn from our mistakes and come out next week ready to play,B次元官网网址� Lions safety Quincy Mauger said post-game.
There will be those who might dismiss the Lions after such a humbling defeat but history has proven that great teams B次元官网网址� championship teams B次元官网网址� can get drilled during the course of the season.
ItB次元官网网址檚 just the nature of the game.
Burns would always point out that the Ti-Cats Grey Cup Championship team of 1998 suffered a 52-19 loss to the Montreal Alouettes in September. For a more B次元官网网址榤odernB次元官网网址� reference all one has to do is look at last yearB次元官网网址檚 Toronto Argonauts. The Lions crushed the Argos 44-3 at BC Place on June 25 B次元官网网址� five months later the Argos were Grey Cup champions.
ItB次元官网网址檚 professional football.
The Lions and the Bombers have each won a round but there is still another round to go -and most likely two - to see who wins this bout.
It should make for a great game in Vancouver on Oct. 6.
EXTRA POINTS:
* Going back to 2017, Winnipeg is now 12-1 coming off the bye-week. The Bombers 576 yards of total offense was their highest total since 2018. It came against a B.C. defense that was averaging giving up only 256 yards per game. Collaros was lights out in throwing for 369 yards and two touchdowns.
* EvansB次元官网网址� rib injury doesnB次元官网网址檛 appear to be too serious but more will be known after he is evaluated in the next few days. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 to be determined. He was actually available to come back into the game if needed but he was a hurting guy. He took a shot to his ribs. It could be something very minor or not. We just donB次元官网网址檛 know yet,B次元官网网址� Campbell said after the game. There is the possibility that Vernon Adams Jr. maybe ready to start as well.
* Receiver Keon Hatcher also took a big hit from Bighill in the third quarter and re-aggravated a hip injury. Hatcher gutted it out for a couple of more series but then was pulled from the game.
* A bright spot for the Lions was defensive tackle Marcus Moore, who was making his CFL debut as a replacement for injured defensive tackle Josh Banks. Moore sniffed out a screen play intended for Bombers running back Brady Oliveira on the final play of the third quarter for an interception. Banks, who is dealing with a hamstring issue, is expected to be ready when the Calgary Stampeders visit BC Place next Saturday.
Veteran B.C. sports personality Bob B次元官网网址渢he MojB次元官网网址� Marjanovich writes twice weekly for Black Press Media. And check out his weekly podcast every Monday at Today in B.C. or your local Black Press Media website.
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