Lions down Roughriders to clinch home field in CFL’s West Division semifinal

“It’s huge for the organization,” said Jennings, who was 17-of-25 passing with an interception. “This is getting us on track to do the things we want to do.”

Winnipeg (11-7), which owned the tiebreaker over B.C. after winning both games between the clubs, put pressure on the Lions to either beat or tie Saskatchewan on Saturday to secure home field after the Blue Bombers posted a 33-20 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks in the nation’s capital on Friday.

“The biggest thing we talked about all week was just taking care of ourselves,” said Jennings, in his second CFL season. “We never lost focus.”

A victory by the lowly Roughriders (5-13), who lost three straight to close out the season, would have meant B.C. getting on a plane to play at Winnipeg next weekend.

“It’s always good to be able practise winning when you have to,” said Lions head coach and general manager Wally Buono. “I’ve always believed that.”

The Blue Bombers were in the driver’s seat to host the West semi after those two victories over the Lions in October. But Winnipeg’s 23-10 home loss last weekend to Ottawa coupled with B.C.’s 24-6 victory at Saskatchewan put the ball back in the Lions’ court.

“I could care less what went on with (the Blue Bombers) because it’s about what’s in this locker-room,” said Arceneaux, who finished the regular season with 1,566 yards receiving, good for third in the league. “It took care of itself.”

Jennings connected with Terrell Sinkfield on his other TD completion, while Paul McCallum was perfect on four field goals and two converts for B.C. after coming out of retirement on Tuesday at age 46. Travis Lulay added a touchdown toss to Bryan Burnham in mop-up duty.

Brandon Bridge and Greg Morris ran in TDs for Saskatchewan, while Tyler Crapigna kicked a field goal, a single and two converts.

Jennings entered play needing just 81 yards passing to join Doug Flutie, Dave Dickenson and Casey Printers as the only quarterbacks in Lions’ history to reach 5,000 in a season, and the second-year pivot got that out of the way in an opening quarter that saw him connect with Arceneaux on two scores.

“It’s something cool to say you did,” Jennings said of the milestone. “I’m fortunate and blessed to be healthy all season and have a great team.”

After his first pass attempt was picked off, Jennings led the Lions on a drive that culminated in a five-yard touchdown toss to Arceneaux in front of a season-high crowd of 26,481 at B.C. Place Stadium.

The Lions failed on the two-point conversion attempt, and Crapigna connected on a 28-yard field goal on the next Roughriders possession to make it 6-3.

Saskatchewan elected to sit starting quarterback Darian Durant because of some bumps and bruises, while Jake Waters, who split time under centre last week, missed out with a broken collarbone. That meant the Roughriders dressed a trio of backups in Mitchell Gale, G.J. Kinne and Bridge, and their offence suffered mightily as a result.

The visitors had a chance to grab the lead after Lions running back Jeremiah Johnson fumbled inside B.C. territory, but had to settle for a single point on Crapigna’s missed field goal from 39 yards out.

B.C. made Saskatchewan pay and went up by 10 late in the quarter when Jennings hit Arceneaux from 13 yards out for his career-high 13th TD catch of the season before Chris Rainey ran in a two-point conversion.

Arceneaux’s previous bests came in 2015 when he had 76 catches for 1,151 yards and nine TDs, but he’s been on another level in 2016.

“He’s phenomenal,” Jennings said of his favourite target. “He came in needing five catches for 100 receptions, and he eclipsed that easily.”

McCallum, who rejoined the Lions after Richie Leone’s kicking struggles reached a breaking point last week, booted the 719th field goal of his career from 24 yards out midway through the second quarter to a nice ovation.

“I’m pretty pleased with how my leg is right now,” said McCallum. “My leg’s not as strong as it used to be, but it’s stronger than I thought it was. I’m OK with that.”

The Lions capped a half that saw them turn the ball over three times when Jennings hit a wide-open Sinkfield from five yards out for a touchdown that was set up by a 61-yard completion to Arceneaux for a 24-4 lead at the break.

McCallum, who spent last season with Saskatchewan after getting cut by B.C. in training camp, took care of all the scoring in the third quarter by nailing field goals from 44, 19 and 28 yards out to make it 33-4.

Lulay replaced Jennings in the fourth and hooked up with Burnham from three yards out to make it 40-4 with the convert.

Saskatchewan conceded a single on Leone’s ensuing kickoff before Bridge and Morris scored consolation TDs.

“We played well, but we left some plays out there and guys know that,” said Lions linebacker Solomon Elimimian. “We feel good about ourselves and that’s important going into the playoffs.”

Notes: The winner of next week’s game at B.C. Place will travel to Calgary to take on the Stampeders (15-2-1) in the division final on Nov. 20. … Jennings joined Edmonton’s Mike Reilly and Calgary’s Bo Levi Mitchell as the only quarterbacks to surpass the 5,000-yard plateau this season. … McCallum played 23 seasons, including 11 with B.C., before retiring in March.

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Follow @JClipperton_CP on Twitter

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said the Lions last hosted a playoff game in 2011, when it was actually in 2012.

by Canadian Press

Lions down Roughriders to clinch home field in CFL’s West Division semifinal

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