Lions roar to preseason win over Riders


June 13, 2010
THE CANADIAN PRESS

REGINA — Sean Whyte kicked a 33-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to help the B.C. Lions rally for a 19-17 pre-season CFL victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Sunday afternoon.

With Saskatchewan up 17-16 in the fourth quarter, Lions quarterback Travis Lulay drove B.C. to Saskatchewan’s 25-yard line to set up Whyte’s game-winning field goal at 12:02.

Lulay played most of the game for B.C. and finished 13 of 23 for 142 yards.

The Lions came out roaring early on when Jason Arakgi blocked a Louie Sakoda punt three minutes into the game. Lions quarterback Casey Printers connected with Steven Black for a 15-yard touchdown two plays later.

Paul McCallum kicked a 43-yard field goal to give B.C. a 10-0 lead after the first quarter.

The Riders weren’t able to get on the scoreboard until Ryan Dinwiddie, who is competing with Cole Berquist and Kent Smith to backup Darian Durant at quarterback, took over the Saskatchewan offence.

Dinwiddie connected with Jason Clermont for a nine-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter to cap a four-play 29-yard drive.

He found Rob Bagg for an eight-yard touchdown on his next series to give the Riders a 14-10 lead. Bagg’s touchdown was highlighted by a crushing block by Rider receiver Chris Getzlaf, who sprung Bagg at the five-yard line.

Dinwiddie also drove the Riders into the green zone in the first quarter, where Luca Congi missed a 45-yard field goal, and late in the second quarter where he was intercepted by Tad Crawford.

Dinwiddie, who completed 13 of 19 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns and one interception, had connected with Clermont in the end zone earlier during that series, but it was called back by an offside penalty on Cary Koch.

Lulay then drove the Lions 56 yards in the last minute of the first half to set up a 43-yard McCallum field goal, which cut Saskatchewan’s lead to 14-13 at the half.

Congi and Whyte exchanged field goals in the third quarter.

Roughrider quarterback Smith completed one pass for four yards in the game while Berquist led the Riders on one scoring drive during the second half, which resulted in a 36-yard Congi field goal.

The Riders will finish their pre-season schedule in Calgary on June 20 while B.C. will host Edmonton on June 20 to conclude its exhibition schedule.

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