BC Lions avenge last weeks loss, top Ottawa Redblacks 38–27

MEGAN SWAIN/ GATG

The BC Lions took on the Ottawa Redblacks at BC Place, Friday night September 12, during their first ever Campus Clash games.  

Pre-game the Lions hosted a series of college themed events in their backyard pre-game party. Students from local universities represented their school while competing in flip cup, corn hole, and even a (dry) ramen eating contest. 

​​UBC fraternities and sororities kept the energy high with a lighthearted frat wedding, and in a nod to BC Place history, the festivities also featured a Pamela Anderson look-alike contest — a playful tribute to the fact that she was first discovered at a Lions game in 1989.

After all the pre-game excitement the Lions kicked off the game inside by sending the ball to the RedBlacks. It wasn't long before the Lions hopped right into action. 

On just the second play of the game the Lions defence sacked Dustin Crum of the Redblacks and that wouldn't be the last of the night. 

The Lions gained their first possession of the ball after forcing an early punt. Starting near midfield, Nathan Rourke and the Lions offense went to work. A short pass to Justin Mclnnis sent him for a brief run where he also hurdled a Redblacks player before going out of bounds. While in the red zone he fumbled at the one-yard line and stalled an early drive, James Butler soon powered in for the first touchdown of the night with a leaping score at the 9:00 mark.

Ottawa answered with a short field goal late in the quarter. However, Rourke soon responded with picking up an 18 yard scramble of his own where he shoved off what should have been a sack. 

After driving the team into the red zone, a pass to Keon Hatcher Sr., would secure the Lions second touchdown of the quarter. Leaving the score 14-3 for the Lions.

The Redblacks were able to find some rhythm and scored their first touchdown at 10:55 in the second quarter. The Lions quickly punched back, when a big run from Hatcher Sr. brought the Lions onto the 1 yard line. 

Rouroke then had the QB sneak into the endzone to get his name on a touchdown. The Lions defence made sure Ottawa didn’t gain any momentum. 

A pass breakup in the end zone prevented a Redblacks score, and defensive lineman Marcus Moore then delivered a monster sack that flipped Crum upside down, marking BC’s fourth sack of the game. Just before half Rourke ran the ball in for another touchdown. The Lions led 27–13 at halftime.

After returning from the half the Lions added a short field goal to extend their lead to 31–13. Moments later, the defence delivered the play of the game. Deontai Williams ripped the ball straight out of Crum's hands, and ran it in himself for a defensive touchdown that sent BC Place into a frenzy.

The Lions’ defence continued its dominance with more sacks. Butler’s steady ground game on offense helped the Lions manage the clock, but Ottawa added a late touchdown and two-point conversion in the final 33 seconds to cut the deficit to 38–27. However, it was too late for the Redblacks to make a comeback and the Lions won at home. 

The Lions now sit at a 6-7 record and have the potential to make the playoffs. Rourke finished with over 300 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, and 2 rushing majors, while Mathieu Betts had 4 sacks in the game, more than he has had all season. 

The Lions next game is Friday, September 19, when they take on the Stampeders at home in Calgary.