The Canadian Press
WINNIPEG — Jonathon Jennings led the BC Lions to a 36-27 road victory against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday, throwing for 408 yards and four touchdowns. Jennings’ big passing day was the difference in a back-and-forth game where the Bombers lost both Matt Nichols and Andrew Harris to injury.
Chris Rainey also had an impressive game for BC as a runner, receiver and returner. The dynamic playmaker finished the game with 304 all-purpose yards and two touchdown catches.
Bryan Burnham contributed 152 receiving yards and a touchdown for the Lions, achieving back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the first time in his CFL career.
While the Bombers’ special teams stepped up in the absence of Nichols, including seven field goals from Justin Medlock, it was ultimately not enough to overcome the Lions’ lead. Winnipeg has now moved to an 11-6 record, and the team failed to secure a home playoff date after losing consecutive games for the first time this season.
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The Lions could not have asked for a better start in this one. Jennings led a six-play, 73-yard opening drive through the air, completing all five of his passes. Jennings capped off the drive with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Nick Moore, getting the ball off just in time before taking a hit.
Burnham and Emmanuel Arceneaux both went over 1,000 yards receiving for the season on the Lions’ opening drive.
Nichols and the Bombers’ offence responded right away, and the quarterback completed two passes to Weston Dressler for solid gains that set up a 48-yard field goal from Medlock.
Winnipeg added another field goal on their next drive, capitalizing on great field position after a 65-yard punt return from Kevin Fogg. The 27-yard field goal made it a 7-6 game with just over five minutes left in the first quarter.
The Bombers suffered a major loss on their next offensive series, however, as Nichols was forced from the game with a lower-body injury. The non-contact injury to Nichols’ left leg occurred while the veteran quarterback was throwing a pass, and Dominique Davis took over under centre for Winnipeg.
Jennings and the Lions’ offence continued their hot start near the end of the first quarter, and a 43-yard catch deep down the field by Arceneaux set up a five-yard touchdown pass to Rainey that helped give BC the 14-6 lead. Jennings completed 82 per cent of his throws in the first half for 248 yards and three touchdowns.
The Bombers’ special teams unit stepped up in a big way in the second quarter with Nichols out of the game, cutting into the Lions’ lead with a special teams touchdown. Bombers defensive back Derek Jones blocked a Ty Long punt near the middle of the field, and Mike Miller scooped up the loose ball to take it into the end zone for the 18-yard score.
With Winnipeg’s offence struggling to sustain drives without their starting quarterback, the Lions were able to keep their offence on the field and add to their lead once again. Jennings continued to make big throws with sharp accuracy, standing tall in the pocket to deliver a 53-yard touchdown pass to Burnham. But Long missed the convert kick attempt, and the Lions took a 20-12 lead.
The Blue and Gold found a way to stay alive in the game despite the loss of Nichols, and Medlock knocked through his third field goal of the game to bring Winnipeg within five points. The field goal was Medlock’s second 48-yarder of the game. Medlock also added a 14-yard field goal on the final play of the second quarter, making it a 20-18 game at the half.
The Lions opened up the second half with another impressive offensive drive. Jennings found Burnham once again for a big gain down the field, connecting with the receiver for a 45-yard pass. Burnham gained 12 yards after the catch to set up a 19-yard field, giving BC the 23-18 lead.
Dominique Davis made his biggest throw of the game when he hit receiver Matt Coates for a 42-yard gain. The Bombers added another field goal as a result, keeping the Lions within range in the third quarter.
Jennings continued to find a rhythm with Burnham on the ensuing drive, and two quick completions set up a 35-yard field goal from Long to give BC the five-point lead.
Winnipeg’s special teams and defence continued to keep the Bombers in the game, and Fogg stepped up once again by forcing a fumble on Arceneaux in the fourth quarter. The ball was recovered by Bombers defensive back Brian Walker, who returned it 19 yards to set up Medlock’s sixth field goal of the game. Dan LeFevour took over at quarterback for Winnipeg on the drive.
The Lions answered with another touchdown drive led by Jennings, and the quarterback went over 400 yards passing with a 40-yard touchdown strike to Rainey. Rainey’s second touchdown catch of the game helped put BC ahead 33-24 with nine minutes left in the game.
LeFevour was intercepted on the Bombers next drive by Lions defensive back T.J. Lee, but possession changed again just as quickly when Jennings was picked of on the next play by Bombers defensive back Taylor Loffler.
The Bombers’ injury struggles continued near the end of the fourth quarter, and star playmaker Andrew Harris left the game with an injury. Winnipeg’s leading rusher took a hit on a screen play from Lions linebacker Dyshawn Davis.
Medlock added a seventh field goal with under four minutes to play, and the Bombers attempted to complete the comeback in the final moments. But LeFevour was picked off again by Lee, securing the 36-27 win for the Lions.
Week 20 will see the Winnipeg Blue Bombers travel to Calgary to take on the Stampeders next Friday, and the Lions will host the Toronto Argonauts in Vancouver next Saturday to close out the season.
