Butler scores two rushing touchdowns, Lions beat Stampeders in overtime – TSN.ca

CALGARY — Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.’s first start as a BC Lion was unforgettable.

Adams threw for 294 yards, rushed for 32 and earned a 31-29 overtime win over host Calgary Stampeders on Saturday.

Adams, who was acquired by the Montreal Alouettes on Aug. 31, didn’t throw touchdown passes for the Lions, but he didn’t throw any interceptions either.

“It means so much. It means a lot,” Adams said. “I’ve been through a lot. rollercoaster year. I had a bad workout the first day and the guys stayed with me anyway. We fought all night.”

James Butler scored two quick touchdowns, including one in overtime.

The Lions (9-3) retained second place in the CFL’s West Division, two points ahead of the third-place Stampeders (8-5) and six points behind leaders Winnipeg Blue Bombers (12-2).

Two-time Gray Cup champions the Bombers lost for the second time this season on Saturday, losing 48-31 to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Adams backup Antonio Pipkin scored a quick touchdown and added a two-point conversion in overtime on Saturday.

BC’s Sean Whyte kicked field goals for 38, 30 and 14 yards ahead of an announced 22,319 at McMahon Stadium.

Lions receiver Dominique Rhymes compiled 91 receiving yards to go over 1,000 this season, and Bryan Burnham hit a 100-yard night.

BC went 2-0 up against Calgary with two narrow wins.

The Lions won 41-40 from behind at McMahon on August 13 with quarterback Nathan Rourke at center.

“I think you can understand how disappointing it is, especially where we are on the table,” said Calgary linebacker Jameer Thurman. “We have to get better. As simple as that.”

Rourke injured his ankle the week after the Calgary win, hastening the trade for Adams.

The two clubs meet again on Saturday in Vancouver.

Jake Maier went 26-of-38 on passes for 301 yards and three touchdown throws, but he has fallen to 2-2 in starts since ousting Bo Levi Mitchell as Calgary’s starting quarterback last month.

Maier threw touchdown passes to Malik Henry and Luther Hakunavanhu and another to Jalen Philpot in OT.

Butler scored his second major of the game on BC’s opening drive into overtime with an eight-yard carry.

Calgary’s offside penalty gave BC a second chance at a two-point conversion, which Pipkin converted with a two-yard dash.

Calgary countered with Maier, who threw a four-yard touchdown throw to Philpot in the end zone.

The Stampeders challenged a pass disturbance after Maier’s incompleteness against Reggie Begelton for two points.

Officials who ruled against it sealed another narrow win for the Lions in McMahon.

“It’s huge. I can’t give our players enough credit for winning twice here in Calgary,” said BC head coach Rick Campbell.

Calgary’s Rene Paredes kicked field goals from 38, 37, and 13 yards but stayed wide on a 48-yard attempt with 23 seconds of regular time left.

Calgary was hampered by 128 penalty yards to BC’s 87 in the game, with the ball in BC’s hands 35 minutes and 28 seconds into the game.

“We have to leave the field second,” said Thurman. “Too many times we’ve had them in second and long place and not got out. We have to give the offensive the ball.”

Whyte’s 14-yard field goal put the Lions in play with a converted touchdown five minutes from time.

Calgary equalized with two minutes left when Maier’s eight-yard throw found a lone Hakunavanhu in the end zone.

Maier navigated Calgary’s offense to the 48-yard line in the last minute for a Paredes try, which he missed.

Calgary also failed to turn a 22-yard first down into a major early in the fourth quarter.

The Stampeders settled on a 13-yard chip shot from Paredes, trailing four points.

Pipkin’s one-yard rush late in the third quarter gave the Lions a 20-13 lead.

Calgary’s needless roughness and pass interference penalties hastened BC’s march to the Stampeders’ doorstep.

Pipkin scored on his third try after being blocked twice by Calgary’s defense.

Whyte’s 30-yard field goal early in the second half leveled the Lions 13-13.

When BC threatened late in the second second from Calgary’s 21-yard line, Stampeder linebacker Cameron Judged chased a scrambling Adams, forcing a fumble and garnering his fifth comeback of the season.

A 37-yard field goal by Paredes with 12 seconds left in the first half gave the hosts a 13-10 lead going into the third quarter.

Maier and Henry combined early in the second for a 77-yard touchdown.

Passing cover in downfield, Henry grabbed an over-the-shoulder catch and headed for the end zone for his eighth touchdown of the season.

BC used Calgary’s 35 yards in shootouts over the game’s first six possessions.

The visitors turned their advantageous field position into a touchdown on their opening drive, with Butler scoring on a 10-yard streak.

The two clubs then traded 38-yard field goals for the Lions to lead 10-3 after a quarter.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on September 17, 2022.