Veteran QB Lulay steps in for Lions in big win
HAMILTON — Travis Lulay’s evening did not go exactly as planned.
Lulay came off the bench to lead the B.C. Lions to a 41-26 victory over the Hamilton Tiger Cats on Saturday.
The backup quarterback was loose on the sidelines at the start of the game, when suddenly starter Jonathon Jennings was out with a suspected arm injury after the team’s first play from scrimmage.
“It’s funny, we were talking right before the game. Jon was like, ‘Do you still get butterflies?’ I was like, ‘You know, it’s different.’ Only because I know I’m not playing on the first snap. But what are the odds you’re playing on the second, right? You just never know. That’s what you prepare for all the time, right?
“Tonight was the time the team needed me to step up and play. I’m happy to be a part of this win.”
The veteran pivot is a former Canadian Football League most outstanding player who lost his starting role last year due to ongoing injuries. He threw three TD passes and rushed for another as the Lions (3-1) extended their win streak to three games.
Hamilton fell to 0-3 in front of a home-opening sellout crowd of 24,135 at Tim Hortons Field.
Jennings reportedly injured his throwing arm on the Lions’ first play from scrimmage — in which he threw an interception while under pressure — and was replaced for the rest of the game by Lulay, who completed 29-of-36 pass attempts for a career-best 436 yards. He also set the CFL record for most yards thrown by a quarterback in relief, surpassing Mike Kerrigan’s 408 yards in 1987.
B.C. started out slow for most of the first half, but sprang to life scoring 15 points in 59 seconds near the end of the second quarter, to take a 21-16 lead into halftime after being down 13-6.
Lions head coach Wally Buono said they didn’t need to make any adjustments on offence when Lulay went in.
“I think Travis has been around a long time and when you have a veteran quarterback he doesn’t have to run every play at practice during the week,” Buono said, adding the two quarterbacks usually split reps at practice 60-40.
Lulay also made a points saving tackle on Hamilton defensive back Richard Leonard, who had just intercepted him on a two-point convert attempt and was streaking down field.
Shaq Johnson, Nick Moore, Brian Burnham, and Jeremiah Johnson also scored touchdowns for B.C. Burnham’s was a highlight-reel play as he reached around his defender to catch the ball with one hand while falling to the ground.
Jeremiah Masoli, Ross Scheuerman, and Jalen Saunders had TDs for Hamilton. Zach Collaros completed 30-of-48 pass attempts for 361 yards, one TD and one interception.
Hamilton head coach Kent Austin, who dismissed the rumour that he and Collaros have some tension between them by calling it “completely made up,” said he wants his team to stay focused this short week. The Tiger-Cats play Edmonton at home on Thursday.
The Ticats have lost the last nine of 10 games, including last year’s East semifinal.