Lions beat Argos in last game at Empire Field
Posted September 10, 2011 7:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
THE CANADIAN PRESS
VANCOUVER — Slotback Geroy Simon had over 100 receiving yards, including a 33-yard touchdown catch, as the B.C. Lions said goodbye to Empire Field with a convincing 28-6 win over the Toronto Argonauts in CFL action Saturday.
Simon’s touchdown was his 88th as a Lion, a franchise record.
The Lions dominated the game even more than the final score suggested. Quarterback Travis Lulay shredded the Toronto secondary with passes, while running back Andrew Harris ripped holes through the Argonaut line.
In the third quarter Lulay showed his running skills, taking off on a 53-yard dash that set up a field goal.
The B.C. defence also showed its claws, making life difficult for Toronto quarterback Steven Jyles in his first start of the season. Jyles was sacked four times, had passes knocked down, and had to scramble for his life several times.
B.C.’s defence prevented Toronto from scoring an offensive touchdown for the second consecutive game. The Lions have not allowed an offensive touchdown in three games.
About the only thing the Lions couldn’t do was score touchdowns.
Tim Brown scored on a one-yard run in the second quarter. Several promising drives stalled, resulted in Paul McCallum kicking field goals of 38, 32, 28 and 23 yards.
Noel Prefontaine kicked field goals of 21 and 16 yards for the Argos.
After a slow start the Lions have won four of their last five games and improved their record to 4-6.
Toronto dropped to 2-8.
Jyles was given the start after the Argos released Cleo Lemon earlier in the week.
For most of the first half Jyles looked exactly like he was, a quarterback returning to action after missing the first nine games of the season with a shoulder injury. He struggled to connect with his receivers and looked nervous in the pocket, fumbling once.
Jyles looked more confident in the second half. His passes became more accurate and he used his running skills to make first downs.
A sellout crowd of 25,623 basked in the sunshine to watch the last football game played at Empire Field. The Lions have used the temporary facility built on the Pacific National Exhibition grounds for the last 15 months while B.C. Place underwent $565 million in renovations.
Many of the players won’t be sad to leave Empire Field, where the dressing rooms were temporary trailers and the Lions posted a 5-9 record.
The Lions led 15-0 at half time and the score flattered the Argonauts.
B.C. squandered the chance of two touchdowns. Simon fumbled on the one-yard line on the opening drive and Lulay was intercepted in the end zone in the second quarter.
It was Toronto defensive back Evan McCollough who recovered the fumble and stepped in front of Akeem Foster for the pick.
The Argos made a strange decision in the second quarter. Facing a third and 10, Prefontaine lined up to punt. Instead, he elected to throw a pass down field. That was intercepted by the Lions’ Marco Iannuzzi, setting up a field goal.
The Lions first game at B.C. Place Stadium is Sept. 30 against the Edmonton Eskimos.
Notes: There was a moment of silence before the game and the U.S. anthem was sang to remember the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11. …Three of the Lions losses this year have been by five points or less. …The 2000 Lions started the season 3-6 but went on to win the Grey Cup. …The Lions next two games are on the road, next Saturday in Edmonton then Sept. 24 in Saskatchewan.
