LIONS STAMPEDERS 31-29, THEN FIGHT IN PARKING LOT

CALGARY – Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.’s first start as a B.C. Lion was a memorable one.

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

Acquired from the Montreal Alouettes in an Aug. 31 trade, Adams didn’t throw any 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. Roller-coaster type of year. I had a bad practice on day one and the guys still stayed with me. We fought throughout the night.”

James Butler scored a pair of rushing touchdowns, including one in overtime.

The Lions (9-3) held onto second place in the CFL’s West Division, two points up on the Stampeders (8-5) in third, and six points back of the front-running Winnipeg Blue Bombers (12-2).

The two-time defending Grey Cup champion Bombers lost for just the second time this season Saturday, falling 48-31 to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Adams’ backup Antonio Pipkin scored a rushing touchdown and added a two-point convert in overtime Saturday.

B.C.’s Sean Whyte kicked field goals from 38, 30 and 14 yards in front of an announced 22,319 at McMahon Stadium.

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

B.C. improved to 2-0 against Calgary with a pair of narrow victories.

The Lions came from behind to win 41-40 at McMahon on Aug. 13 with quarterback Nathan Rourke under centre.

“I think you can understand how disappointing it is, especially where we are in the standings,” Calgary linebacker Jameer Thurman said. “We’ve got to be better. Simple as that.”

Rourke injuring his ankle the week after the win in Calgary precipitated the trade for Adams.

The two clubs meet again Saturday in Vancouver.

Jake Maier went 26 of 38 in passing for 301 yards and three touchdown throws, but he dropped to 2-2 in starts since supplanting 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.

The game was marred by an ugly postgame incident which will assuredly carry over into the two teams’ Week 16 game.

(With files from The Canadian Press/Photo: Conan Daly)