January 17, 2013

Locking up Lulay: Lions hand franchise QB extension

CFL.ca Staff

VANCOUVER — The Lions have made it official, announcing the contract extension of quarterback Travis Lulay that will keep him in BC through the 2015 season.

“This is where Travis will probably be spending the rest of his footballl career and we’re very happy about that,” said Lions GM Wally Buono at a press conference in Vancouver on Thursday.

“He’s a leader, he works extremely hard and I think he deserves this,” he addded.

Lulay at home with Lions

Given a chance to show what he had in 2009, Travis Lulay is now the face of an organization where he was once a third stringer and it seems like he is just getting started.

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Lulay is coming off a 2012 campaign that saw him throw for 4,231 yards and 27 touchdowns in 16 games, leading the Lions to a13-5 record and top spot in the West Division.

But it was in 2011 where Lulay truly made a name for himself. In his first year as BC’s undisputed number one quarterback, the 29-year-old Salem, OR. native racked up a career-best 4,815 yards and 32 touchdowns, earning Most Outstanding Player honours in the process.

He then went on to lead the Lions to a Grey Cup victory on home soil, being named MVP of the championship game following yet another standout performance.

“Heading into our organization’s 60th season, it gives me great comfort to be able to put the leadership of our club in the hands of Travis Lulay” said  Buono. “He is a champion, a gifted quarterback and an outstanding young man.”

After just three full seasons, Lulay has already moved up to the number five position among all-time Lions passers with 11,972 yards to go along with 13 career 300-yard passing games. With a repeat of his results from last season, Travis can move as high as number three in 2013.

In 2012, Travis extended his consecutive game TD pass streak to 26 contests, giving him the second-longest such run in league history while his efficiency rating has gone from 84.9 in 2010 to a career-high of 100.7 last season, second-best among all CFL quarterbacks.

“To say I am excited about my future with the BC Lions would be an understatement,” said Lulay.

 “We have all the tools here to be competitive for a long time and the number one goal for me right now is doing everything I can to prepare for a championship season. Everyone in this organization, including coaches, teammates and staff as well as fans across the province have made my time here unforgettable and I know there are many more memories yet to come.”