August 7, 2018

Lions needing to correct preventable mistakes

VANCOUVER — In a league that’s as unpredictable as the CFL, the BC Lions, a team currently with a 2-4 record, came the closest to defeating the Calgary Stampeders when you consider the score differential when the two teams matched up against one another last week.

Facing a team near the top in offensive points while also ranking at the top of the league in fewest points against, it’s no wonder the smallest margin of victory is still greater than a touchdown for Calgary.

A mere nine points separated the Lions from putting the first blemish on the Stamps season.

Instead, they’ll build upon their performance and look ahead to the Edmonton Eskimos, who they face this week.


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BC’s head coach Wally Buono was very critical in acknowledging his team’s mistakes against Calgary in Week 8. (Johany Jutras, CFL.ca)

“What we have to do is get our players understanding the game plan,” Lions’ head coach Wally Buono told media following Monday’s practice. “Understanding what Edmonton does very well and then how are we going to be productive with what we’re doing.”

No surprise to the Lions, but Edmonton is the top passing team in the CFL, so allowing another performance like they did with Bo Levi Mitchell this past week will be BC’s kryptonite against a high-powered offence operated by the league’s reigning Most Oustanding Player in Mike Reilly.

Reilly leads the league in overall passing yards with 2,320, while also having passed for the most touchdowns through seven games with 14.

Offensively for the Lions, Travis Lulay had his first game not throwing for 300 yards since returning from injury. However, he’s still doubling up with regards to his touchdown to interception ratio, which will be a key trait to maintain when it comes time to facing Edmonton’s defence on Thursday.

Buono voiced his concerns regarding his team’s execution against the Stampeders, pointing out that discipline has been a topic of concern with him and his team that needs to be addressed.

“I don’t like the mistakes,” Buono says. “I don’t like the fact that eight… nine times on second and ten, or plus, they converted. I don’t like the penalties. Most of those are preventable penalties.”

The Lions committed six defensive penalties against Calgary, more than both the offence and special teams combined.

Facing an Edmonton team with such a deep-ball presence in the way they execute their game plan, the Lions will not be able to afford to take such penalties when it comes time to play the Eskimos on Thursday.

Despite the loss to the Stampeders, Buono did acknowledge the effort his team in the second half after trailing 17-3 at halftime.

“The guys fought back. The second half, I think we went 15-10. Eliminate one or two mistakes and all of a sudden the game goes right down to the wire.

The Lions will host the Eskimos for Week 9’s edition of Thursday Night Football with kick off scheduled to be at 10:00 p.m. ET.

With files from BCLions.com