Tossing six interceptions and committing 13 penalties would make winning problematic against any team, anywhere.
Doing so against a division leader makes it just about impossible.
The B.C. Lions did those things and paid the price Monday night in a 45-24 defeat at unbeaten Toronto. They’ll try to play a cleaner game and get back in the win column Sunday when the Montreal Alouettes make the cross-country trip to Vancouver.
A week after hammering perennial West power Winnipeg 30-6 in Manitoba, B.C. (3-1) made so many mistakes that it was a wonder it didn’t lose by more against the Argonauts.
“We didn’t want to celebrate too hard when we beat a really good team like Winnipeg and we can’t go on the tank on this one,” said Lions coach Rick Campbell. “I like that we kept battling but we had too many negative things to overcome.”
Vernon Adams threw for 388 yards and three scores but his half-dozen picks led to 28 Toronto points, including a game-sealing 62-yard touchdown return by Argos defensive back Robertson Daniel with 1:10 remaining. It was Daniel’s third interception of the night.
Montreal is also seeking to get the bad taste of a loss out of its mouth.
The Als had the bad fortune to run into Winnipeg after its B.C. beatdown and dropped a 17-3 decision last weekend in Quebec. Only a field goal with six minutes left averted a shutout.
Montreal (2-1) managed just 82 yards in the first half, which was played after a weather delay of nearly two hours. Cody Fajardo threw for 270 yards on 17 of 27 accuracy but also coughed up an interception and a fumble. Fajardo also suffered four sacks, giving him 14 in three games.
“I don’t think we executed at a high enough level throughout the night, playing against a defense that’s very opportunistic,” said Alouettes coach Jason Maas.
Montreal’s defense has allowed just two touchdowns in three games but has health concerns.
Middle linebacker Avery Williams, defensive back Ciante Evans and cornerback Dionte Ruffin were all on the shelf by the time the Winnipeg loss concluded. Williams and Ruffin are expected to return on Sunday.
–Field Level Media