Alexander Hollins shines as B.C. Lions defeat Blue Bombers 26-24

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This article was published 22/06/2024 (483 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It started with a big play by Alexander Hollins.

And it ended with a big play by Alexander Hollins.

The B.C. Lions (2-1) — led by seven catches for 215 yards and two touchdowns from their third-year receiver — sent the Blue Bombers to 0-3 with a 26-24 victory at Princess Auto Stadium on Friday night.

Four plays in, Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., rifled a deep pass over the middle of the field to Hollins for a 71-yard touchdown to open the scoring.

Now fast forwarding to the game’s final two minutes, the Lions were hanging onto their two-point lead by a thread as they were in their own end and facing a second and 10. The Bombers blitzed, but Adams stood tall and connected with Hollins for a 63-yard catch and run which allowed them to burn the clock.

Hollins only eclipsed 100 yards receiving once in his first 24 career games.

“Funny thing, I actually told (offensive coordinator) Jordan (Maksymic) that it’s going to be a night for 200 tonight,” Hollins said.

“So, it really happened.”

Adams had his way with Winnipeg, completing 21-of-33 passes for 398 yards.

“Dude was open, man,” Adams said of Hollins. “He did what he did. The bat signal was out and the Batman delivered.”

The game-sealing toss came against Bombers safety Brandon Alexander who allowed the wideout to blow right past him.

“I just didn’t get back. I didn’t play the coverage the right way. I could’ve made a play on it, and I didn’t,” said Alexander.

“I didn’t read all the keys that I needed to read on that play and that was that. I mean, (Hollins) had a heck of a day. We weren’t firing on our details. A lot of those second downs were going to him and we didn’t make the adjustments on the field the way we needed to. I would say I’m a big communicator and it starts with myself, but I feel like I’m not out there doing that right now. I gotta make some adjustments to be able to do that because I hold myself to a high standard.”

The opening touchdown came against dime back Redha Kramdi who was almost five yards behind Hollins when he hauled it in.

“We should’ve known the ball was coming… He gave me a curl, I jumped it, and it was a stop and go. I didn’t have no help, I had to play that by myself,” said Kramdi.

“It was a good throw, a good catch, and bad coverage.”

The 27-year-old out of Eastern Illinois picked on everyone, as his third quarter touchdown was a 29-yarder on Bombers halfback Evan Holm.

“We’re working hard, doing our best. We came into the game prepared,” said Kramdi.

“This game he just happened to have three enormous plays that changed the game.”

The Lions had 500 yards of net offence. Canadian receiver Justin McInnis also chipped in with six grabs for 95 yards.

The Bombers were without arguably the best halfback in the league in Deatrick Nichols who’s currently on the one-game injured list. His replacement, rookie Marquise Bridges, had a fine night and forced receiver Travis Fulgham to fumble in the second quarter.

“We have a lot of injuries on both sides of the ball, but we can’t use that as an excuse. It is what it is, it’s pro football,” said corner Terrell Bonds.

“Deatrick is our leader out there, but Marquise came in and played a great game. We had a good week of practice. We knew there would be some growing pains for all of us, I’m a rookie as well, but we could definitely use Deatrick when he’s back because of his experience.”

Things didn’t go nearly as well for the pass catchers in Blue and Gold. Both Dalton Schoen and Keric Wheatfall left the game early with injuries. The group is already without Kenny Lawler who broke his arm in Week 1.

“It definitely hits you a little bit harder now that the game is done. You can’t let (teammates getting hurt) bother you too much during the game,” said Nic Demski, who led the Bombers with eight catches for 94 yards.

“We’ll see what the diagnosis is, and we’ll go from that. Hopefully it’s nothing too crazy, but yeah, football is a rough sport. It’s a next man up type of game. We’ve got some depth here, some young depth, and they better get ready.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

X: @TaylorAllen31