MAN-HANDLED
Lions receiver Manny Arceneaux scores two touchdowns as the Leos take down the Eskimos at B.C. Place
With four minutes left in the third quarter, B.C. Lions fullback Rolly Lumbala flexed his right bicep in a show of bravado after picking up a 14-yard gain against the Edmonton Eskimos. It was the only catch of the game Saturday for the seldom-used fullback, but it was perhaps a statement the Lions finally were showing some muscle against a West Division opponent.
Two plays later, quarterback Jonathon Jennings ran 20 yards into the end zone to give the Lions a 26-12 edge, a lead they never surrendered in defeating the Eskimos 32-25 before 22,831 fans at B.C. Place Stadium.
Coming after back-to-back losses to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, it was a victory the Lions sorely needed, if only to prove to doubters they’re not about to go down meekly in the CFL’s most competitive division. Lions were a collective 1-5 against Winnipeg, Edmonton and Calgary this season before Saturday’s win.
At 10-6, the Lions have the same record as the second-place Blue Bombers, but they’ll need some help from the Ottawa Redblacks, if they are to play host to a playoff game when the post-season begins Nov. 13. Winnipeg, with a bye this week, closes out with games against Ottawa.
The Lions, meanwhile, need to run the table against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, a team they’ll face on successive weekends to close out the regular season.
By defeating the Eskimos, however, the Lions have eliminated the possibility of finishing fourth in the West and crossing over to the East Division playoffs.
The Eskimos defeated the Lions 27-23 on Sept. 23 in Edmonton, but the Lions have the edge in any tie scenario, based on points differential.