The Commentary

Thursday, 26 August 2004

Lions defense steps up in fifth consecutive win - SPECTATOR - THE COMMENTARY

By Dhiren Mahiban

The only thing more wet than foolhardy Stampeders head coach Matt Dunigan was the 28,351 who took in the Lions/Stampeders tilt. Dunigan's third down gamble late in the fourth quarter proved costly as the last place Stamps failed to make up ground on the western division leading BC Lions.

The lions scored on their first possession of overtime courtesy a one-yard touchdown by running back Eddie Linscomb, and the defense took care of the rest as the Leos edged the Stampeders 25-18 at McMahon Stadium in Calgary on Saturday night.

It wasn't a pretty win for the Lions whose rookie quarterback Casey Printers completed just 15 of 30 passes and threw for two interceptions. Printers was also sacked 5 times in the game and retired in favour of third string QB Spurgeon Wynn in the third quarter.

However, on a night when the offense wasn't as threatening as in previous weeks the Lions defense stepped up in a big way. During the final minute of regulation tied 18-18, and with the Stamps in field goal range the defense knocked the ball loose from Stamps QB Marcus Crandell and Carl Kidd recovered the ball for BC. Then in overtime after Linscomb put the Lions up 25-18, the defense prevented Calgary from scoring while inside the BC 25-yard line.

The Lions started slowly on in week ten scoring just once in the first half. Their only touchdown came early in the first quarter thanks to an objectional conduct penalty that the Stampeders took.

Entering the second half the Lions saw themselves playing catch-up because of some strong Calgary defense, however, it could have been a lot worse, with almost no time remaining in the second quarter quarterback Marcus Crandell made a costly mistake. Instead of the Stamps kicking the ball for the field goal and extending their lead to 15-11, Crandell called a passing play and was left nowhere near the BC end zone when the guns sounded to end the half.

After being sacked three times early in the second quarter, Printers managed to turn the game around connecting with Frank Cutolo for a TD on the first possession of the third quarter giving the Lions an 18-11 edge. Despite getting the lead back for the Lions Printers retired in favour of Spurgeon Wynn. Wynn got the job when called upon connecting with Linscomb in overtime for the winning touchdown.

In the victory receiver, Geroy Simon surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the season; he had five catches in the first half for 109 yards.

The Lions now come home riding a five game winning streak and prepare to play the Toronto Argonauts who share the same 6-3 record this season.

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