The Lions have secured a spot within the CFL’s post-season.
Taquan Mizzell ran in a pair of touchdowns because the B.C. Lions clinched a playoff spot with a 37-29 victory over the Edmonton Elks on Friday.
“It’s a giant deal. Simply ask groups that aren’t within the playoffs if making it in is a giant deal,” mentioned Lions head coach Rick Campbell. “To get to 10 wins and to safe a playoff berth, which is your first objective within the common season, it will make our final 4 video games fairly fascinating.”
Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., handed for 265 yards and two touchdowns to assist B.C. (10-4) win three video games in a row.
“It wasn’t fairly, however we received it accomplished,” Adams mentioned. “I do know I’ve to be higher for my crew shifting ahead. We began off scorching, however then I used to be type of up and down.
“I simply need to be higher for the crew, nevertheless it was an excellent win. Our crew, we received struggle in us.”
Canadian QB Tre Ford had two TD passes on 182 yards as Edmonton (4-11) noticed its faint playoff hopes virtually disappear.
“They did an excellent job game-planning, they had been ready for me. I could not get out of the pocket and scramble a lot. They simply did an excellent job containing me,” Ford mentioned. “Despite the fact that I nonetheless thought we did not execute to the extent we wished to, it was undoubtedly a step ahead.”
The Elks a minimum of managed to attain some extent towards the Lions after stunningly being shutout out in each of their earlier conferences towards B.C. this season.
“The final two instances we performed them, we did not rating any factors and looking out again final yr, they blew us out an entire bunch,” mentioned Ford. “So, undoubtedly a step in the precise path.”
The Lions got here roaring out of the gate with a surgical opening drive, needing simply seven consecutive profitable performs to arrange a five-yard landing go from Adams to Justin McInnis.
Issues didn’t go almost as nicely on their subsequent possession, nevertheless, as Adams floated a ball too excessive and it was picked off and returned 56 yards by Kai Grey for the decide six TD, ending Edmonton’s season-long scoring drought towards the Lions.
B.C. made up for it instantly, although, as Adams discovered Jevon Cottoy, who shrugged off a badly-missed sort out try by Mark McLaurin and scampered 57 yards into the tip zone.
The large performs saved approaching B.C.’s subsequent possession as nicely, as a 68-yard punt return by Terry Williams arrange a 13-yard TD run by Mizzell to present the Lions a 21-7 lead after the primary quarter.
“We received outplayed in all three phases,” mentioned Elks head coach Chris Jones. “I believed, offensively, defensively and within the kicking sport they beat us on this sport. We’re nearer than possibly what we had been, however you aren’t getting comfort prizes for shedding the soccer sport.”
The Elks lastly received their listless offence going late within the second quarter when Ford hit Dillon Mitchell in the long run zone for a 10-yard landing, the primary offensive factors recorded by Edmonton in 148:34 of sport play towards B.C. this season.
The Lions got here flying proper again as a 57-yard passing play to Keon Hatcher arrange a 12-yard discipline objective by Sean Whyte.
Dean Faithfull kicked a 41-yard discipline objective for the Elks with no time left on the clock to make it 24-17 on the mid-mark.
Faithfull began off the third quarter with a missed 41-yard try that resulted in a single, however then nailed a 42-yarder with 5 minutes to play within the body.
The Lions regained a little bit of their cushion when Mizzell discovered a seam and turned on the jets for a 48-yard landing run.
Whyte kicked a 17-yard discipline objective halfway via the fourth quarter.
Edmonton saved it fascinating as Ford discovered Mitchell for a four-yard landing go with just below three minutes left within the sport to drag inside six factors.
Whyte booted a 40-yard discipline objective with 36 seconds left to place the sport away for the Lions.
NOTES
Of the 9 CFL groups who’ve began seasons at 0-9 since 1958, solely Edmonton this season and Ottawa in 1989 have managed to return again and document 4 wins… The sport featured the 2 groups with the worst turnover deficits, with the Lions coming into the sport at minus-eight and the Elks sitting at minus-12.
UP NEXT
The Lions play host to the Saskatchewan Roughriders subsequent Friday. The Elks are on a bye week.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first printed on Sept. 22, 2023.