Jennings leads Lions past Alouettes

VANCOUVER — Jonathon Jennings did not let an off-season of critical self-assessment go to waste Saturday night.

Jennings rebounded from a disappointing 2017 campaign and a winter of reflection as he completed 20-of-24 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns while leading the B.C. Lions to a 22-10 victory over the Montreal Alouettes in the 2018 season opener for both teams Saturday night.

“It felt great,” said Jennings. “It was my goal all off-season to come in here and respond. I know who I am as a player. I just had to come out here and do it.”

Jennings did not throw an interception after tossing more picks (19) than touchdowns (16) in 2017 as the Lions went 7-11 and missed the playoffs for the first time in two decades. He was decidedly different than the quarterback who threw three interceptions in a season-ending loss to eventual Grey Cup champion Toronto last fall.

“Obviously, I washed the whole season out,” said Jennings. “It was a bad season. It was what it was. I had to make sure I responded. I did everything I could to focus on the response this year and what I was gonna do to be a better player this year.”

Jennings also rushed for 57 yards as the Lions won their season opener for only the second time in the past six years. The Als lost after winning their past two season openers.

Ty Long’s 27-yard field goal with 2:44 left in the third quarter, which gave the Lions a 12-10 lead, ultimately decided the outcome.

B.C. got its touchdowns from Shaquille Johnson and Cory Watson, while Long provided the other points on two field goals, two punt singles and two converts.

The Lions rebounded from an early deficit as their defence held the Als scoreless after the first quarter.

Middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian said the Lions were guilty of being too anxious and giving up a number of big plays early. But the win will help B.C.’s season-long redemption effort.

“It’s one step closer on this journey (to the playoffs) and, really, is just building that team chemistry and team camaraderie,” he said.

Both teams entered the game looking to make good on sub-par 2017 seasons. While the Lions went through their woes in 2017, the Alouettes were a dismal 3-15.

Als quarterback Drew Willy, another signal-caller looking to redeem himself, now with his fourth CFL team after being released by Toronto and joining Montreal, completed 22-of-32 passes for 266 yards and a touchdown.