June 17, 2018

‘It feels great’: Jennings and Lions start season on right foot

The Canadian Press

VANCOUVER — Jonathon Jennings and the BC Lions got the start they were looking for to kick off the 2018 season on Saturday night, with the team putting in a complete team effort to secure a 22-10 home victory against the Montreal Alouettes. After losing six of their final seven games in 2017, the Lions came out determined to get things turned around, and it was Jennings who led the way.

“We knew we just had to be patient, keep sticking to what we’re doing,” Jennings told TSN after the win. “I got out on a couple runs when they were guarding things. We tried to take a couple shots, but we just did a good job of sticking to it and putting a couple points on the board late.”

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The 25-year-old quarterback completed 83% of his passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns, but it was what he did on the ground that truly gave BC the edge. Jennings racked up a career-high 57 rushing yards as he carved his way through the Als’ defensive front whenever he saw an opening.

“It was big,” Jennings said of his rushing performance. “It was something that I told myself in the off-season that I wanted to do. I think last year I was a little hesitant coming off the injury, but I wanted to make sure that I utilized that. That’s one of my strengths, and I did a little bit of that tonight.”

For Jennings and the Lions, Saturday was the kind of confidence booster the team needed.

“It feels great,” Jennings said. “To win the first game and to know that we have a good squad feels good for us.”

The Lions will look to continue their hot start when they travel to face the Edmonton Eskimos on the road in Week 3.