A glance again on the BC Lions playoff-clinching win over Edmonton

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What it is advisable find out about Friday’s large win.

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FEAR THE BEARD

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Rick Campbell wasn’t positive if he appreciated the beard. At any time when the B.C. Lions coach was requested concerning the uncharacteristic silver progress on his face this week, he made positive to level out it was his spouse’s concept, and she or he appreciated it.

“I simply need to level out this beard is undefeated,” he proclaimed to hoots and hollers from his participant within the locker-room Friday evening, because the staff basked in its 37-29 win over the Edmonton Elks at Commonwealth Stadium.

It won’t be a playoff beard, nevertheless it’s a beard that bought the Lions into the playoffs. The lunch-bucket win over Edmonton clinched a playoff spot for B.C., transferring them to 10-4 on the season, tied with the West Division-leading Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The Bombers have been on a bye week, and play twice earlier than heading into their ultimate bye, adopted by their ultimate two video games of the common season. The Lions play 4 straight earlier than ending with a Week 21 bye.

However all eyes will probably be on the Oct. 6 assembly between the 2 at B.C. Place, which may decide which staff will get the house subject benefit that comes with the West crown.

“(Making the) playoffs is superb,” stated quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.

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ALL ABOUT THE W

It’s not about the way you win. It’s simply that you just win.

Friday’s sport was no tour de drive. For a staff that states it’s all about taking part in the absolute best soccer, there have been plenty of holes of their efficiency.

Adams is at all times the primary to place his hand up with the mea culpa, blaming himself for the first-quarter choose six — a 56-yard return by Edmonton’s Kai Grey — and a drive-killing interception by Darius Bratton within the second quarter, the place Adams threw behind supposed receiver Justin McInnis. He additionally misinterpret two pictures on the finish zone on the finish of the primary half, not seeing two receivers come open, and forcing B.C. to accept a subject purpose.

“I gotta be higher for my staff transferring ahead. We began off sizzling and was simply form of up and down … extra down,” he stated.

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However Adams made performs when he wanted to. He knifed a first-down cross to Alex Hollins by means of smothering protection within the fourth quarter when Edmonton had all of the momentum. On the finish of the sport, he took off on an 18-yard scramble that moved the sticks and flipped subject place, setting the Lions up for a game-clinching subject purpose on their subsequent drive.

He completed with 265 yards and two touchdowns on 16-of-26 passing.

“There have been some robust moments,” stated Campbell. “(Edmonton) have been discovering their approach again into the sport and that third quarter, we have been getting their finest shot.”

CITY OF CHAMPIONS

They need to simply give Taquan Mizzell the important thing to the town in Edmonton, since he appears to have unlocked their soccer staff.

The B.C. Lions operating again has two 100-yard video games this 12 months  — and each have come at Commonwealth Stadium. He had 16 carries for 112 yards and two touchdowns Friday.

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“Smoke is that dude!” a teammate yelled as ‘Smoke’ was doing his post-game media.

Within the second half, after the Lions had run right into a brick wall with two straight two-and-outs, placing up a mixed -14 yards, Mizzell righted the ship with a 48-yard sprint by means of the left aspect of the road of scrimmage. It helped make up for a first-half fumble that the Elks was a Dillon Mitchell landing — the primary offensive factors Edmonton had scored on B.C. this season.

The Lions are presently averaging the fewest yards and makes an attempt, although Friday’s 175-yard whole evening will enhance their 78.2 yards per sport common all the best way as much as 85 ypg.

FOUR QUARTERS

Gradual begins had led to losses in opposition to Hamilton and Saskatchewan early on, and almost price them in opposition to Ottawa earlier than an insane comeback within the ultimate 2:30 of final week’s sport saved them.

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There was no gradual begin Friday. The Lions had three first-quarter touchdowns, together with a seven-play, 69-yard opening drive capped off by a Justin McInnis landing catch. Adams hit on 12 of his first 15 makes an attempt, although two of them have been interceptions.

However he bounced again after the primary pick-six to seek out Jevon Cottoy on the sidelines, and the huge 6-foot-5, 230-pound receiver out-ran the defence, flashing a peace signal as he loped into the tip zone.

“We’ve got guys which might be exhausting on themselves — coaches and gamers,” stated Campbell. “I like having that man (Adams) on our staff as a result of he at all times bounces again and finds methods to make performs.”

OUTFLANKING FORD

Tre Ford had develop into a revelation for the Elks, coming in with a lofty common of 10 yards per rush, and main Edmonton to back-to-back dwelling wins.

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However the Lions have been prepared for Teflon Tre. They rushed exhausting, and quick, choosing huge stress to hem him in, drive him to take his eyes off downfield targets and scramble. And when he did run, they have been there in numbers to convey him down — finally. He was sacked seven occasions  — twice by league chief Mathieu Betts.

Ford had 43 yards dashing, however 30 of these got here on two performs on the Elks’ ultimate drive, down two scores. He accomplished 20-of-27 passes 27 for 182 yards

“They did a superb job game-planning, they have been ready for me,” Ford informed Postmedia after the sport.

jadams@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/TheRealJJAdams

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