Game Balls

By: Adam Wazny Posted: 1:00 AM CST Monday, Nov. 28, 2011

GAME BALLS

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/11/2011 (5369 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

GAME BALLS

Offence

Lions quarterback Travis Lulay, after some early first half jitters, settled down to throw for 320 yards (21-of-37) and two touchdowns. He was named the game’s most outstanding player. Honourable mention goes to veterans Arland Bruce and Geroy Simon, who combined for 152 yards receiving.

Defence

No outstanding member on either club (Lions LB Anton McKenzie’s interception only led to a single), so the B.C. group grabs the nod here. They were the better unit Sunday, holding Winnipeg down for three quarters.

Special Teams

Returner Tim Brown set the tone for the game on the opening kickoff when he ran one back 35 yards to give the Lions excellent field position to start. He finished 157 return yards (kickoff and punt) Sunday.

FAN-O-METER

As expected, the crowd at BC Place was predominantly pro-orange, with pockets of Blue Bomber support scattered throughout. The announced attendance, 54,313, was deafening in the first 15 minutes, quiet through the defensive struggle through most the middle quarters, before coming alive in the final frame.

BY THE NUMBERS

The number of yardsticks inside BC Place right before the opening kickoff. CFL officials were forced to race over to a local high school to get some new markers, which delayed the start of the game by a few minutes.

66 yards

The touchdown reception by Lions receiver Kierrie Johnson in the final play of the third quarter. It was the turning point. That made the score 24-9 and busted the game open for the West division champs.

After rushing for 190 yards in the Eastern final, Bombers running back Chris Garrett managed just eight yards on four carries in the first half. He finished with 26 yards.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @wazoowazny