Travis Lulay passes Lions over Argonauts

Vancouver, BC, Canada (4E Sports) – Travis Lulay passed for a season-high 390 yards and two touchdowns and the BC Lions toughened their defense down the stretch to survive a late surge by the Toronto Argonauts en route to a 28-23 win Saturday at BC Place Stadium.

Lulay went 24-of-40 with one interception while fullback Rolly Lumbala contributed a one-yard touchdown run for the Lions, who notched their eighth win in 11 games to lead the West Division.

The Argonauts dropped from a share of first place in the East Division to solo second place after tasting their fifth defeat in 11 matches.

The Lions were behind, 7-2, after the first period but Lulay bounced back in the second quarter, throwing a 39-yard bomb to slotback Shawn Gore to extend his streak of games with at least one touchdown pass to 22 games, the second longest streak in CFL history.

Five plays later, Lulay threw his second touchdown of the game, finding Arland Bruce in the end zone for a 20-yard score. The score was Bruce’s third in as many games and his fifth this season.

Through two quarters, Lulay completely outplayed Argonauts counterpart Ricky Ray, who managed just seven completions for 74 yards.

Behind Lulay’s efficient first half, Lions receivers also had a field day with Geroy Simon and Gore combining for six receptions for 178 yards.

Kicker Swayze Waters slowly brought the Argonauts back in the game after booting in two field goals to trim the Lions’ lead to just five, 18-13, at the start of the final period.

In their next drive, the Lions capitalized on the Argonauts’ three costly penalties to extend their lead to 12, after a one-yard plunge by Lumbala.

The Argos, however, refused to go down quietly as Ray led a seven-play, 67-yard drive punctuated by a 53-yard touchdown catch by Chad Owens, bringing Toronto back to within five, with five minutes left.

But the Lions clamped down on defense, preventing Ray from finding the end zone to secure the close win.

Ray completed 19 of 38 passes for 311 yards while Owens had eight receptions for 114 yards for the Argonauts.

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