The Daily Courier

Lulay back as B.C.’s starter against Montreal

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TORONTO (CP) — Travis Lulay and the B.C. Lions have had plenty of time to ponder what’s ailing the CFL team.

B.C. (5-5) returns to action on Friday night at home against the Montreal Alouettes (3-7). The Lions have been off since a 31-24 loss to the Ottawa Redblacks on Aug. 26.

Lulay replaced starter Jonathon Jennings in the second half of that game with B.C. trailing 31-3. Lulay rallied the Lions to within 31-24 but a late intercepti­on preserved the victory for the Grey Cup-champion Redblacks.

The loss was B.C.’s third straight and fourth in five games. But after completing 18 of 23 passes for 202 yards and two TDs, Lulay secured the start against Montreal, which has also dropped three straight.

Lulay’s two-yard TD run broke a 16-16 tie and led B.C. past Montreal 23-16 on July 6 at Molson Stadium. The following week, Jennings suffered a shoulder injury against Hamilton. Lulay came off the bench to throw for a record 436 yards and three TDs to lead the Lions to a 41-26 victory.

Lulay guided B.C. to a 3-1 record during Jennings’ absence. Jennings returned under centre for a 41-8 loss to Saskatchew­an on Aug. 11 to kick off the Lions’ threegame losing streak. Jennings struggled over that stretch, throwing seven intercepti­ons with just two TD strikes.

B.C. is a stellar 14-3 at home against Montreal since 2000.

While the Alouettes have two of the East Division’s three wins this season versus West Division teams, they’re a dismal 0-4 on the road this season.

Despite the off-season acquisitio­n of quarterbac­k Darian Durant, the Alouettes have struggled offensivel­y. They’re ranked second-last in offensive points (19.1 per game), net offence (346.1 yards), passing (265.3) and intercepti­ons (11).

What’s more, Montreal hasn’t scored an offensive touchdown in two of its last three games.

Durant will become Montreal’s fifth different starter in B.C. over the last six years. The Als’ last win at B.C. Place was a 23-13 decision on Aug. 20, 2015 and of the 44 players on their roster that game, only 15 were in last week’s lineup against Ottawa (a whopping 66 per cent turnover).

Prediction: B.C.

Roughrider­s versus Blue Bombers

Saskatchew­an (5-4) has won five of its last seven games and three straight, including last week’s 38-24 decision over Winnipeg (7-3).

Kevin Glenn threw for 386 yards and three touchdowns while Duron Carter, Roosevelt Naaman and Bakari Grant all had 100-yard receiving efforts.

Matt Nichols had 364 passing yards and two TDs for the Bombers, who are 3-1 at Investors Group Field, while the Riders are 1-3 on the road. The winner also takes the season series.

Prediction: Winnipeg.

Tiger-Cats versus Redblacks

Finally a win for Hamilton (1-8), coming off a 24-22 decision over Toronto on Monday night. But it wasn’t pretty as starter Jeremiah Masoli was just 19 of 33 passing for 219 yards and a touchdown and the Tiger-Cats’ offence mustered 276 net yards.

Ottawa (4-6-1) has won three straight, including a convincing 32-4 decision over Montreal last week. League passing leader Trevor Harris threw for 343 yards and three touchdowns while the Redblacks’ defence had five sacks, a forced fumble and intercepti­on.

Prediction: Ottawa.

Stampeders versus Eskimos

Calgary (8-1-1) is looking to sweep the home-and-home series with Edmonton (7-3) for the fifth time in six years — Calgary has won the Labour Day rematch at Commonweal­th Stadium nine times in 10 years.

The Stampeders’ 39-18 win on Monday afternoon was their 15th straight victory at McMahon Stadium and sixth win overall. What’s more is that the defending West Division champions have a leaguebest 3-1-1 road record.

The Eskimos have lost three straight but received some good news on Wednesday when all-star receiver Derel Walker rejoined the squad.

Prediction: Calgary.

Last week: 3-1. Overall: 32-12-1.

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