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Eskimos beat Lions 28-25 on stormy night for first win of season

Jul 31, 2010 - 5:00 AM EDMONTON (CP) - Andre Talbot's nine-yard touchdown with under five minutes to play was the difference Friday as the Edmonton Eskimos got their first win of the season, defeating the B.C. Lions 28-25 in a game that saw a lengthy interruption due to a massive storm.

After Yonus Davis' 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown gave the Lions a 25-21 with just over eight minutes to go, Eskimos receiver Kelly Campbell fought for a 46-yard gain down to the B.C. 15.

Eskimos' quarterback Ricky Ray then hit a wide open Talbot in the back of the end zone.

Edmonton got the ball back on the next series at midfield when Eskimos defensive back Chris Thompson intercepted Lions quarterback Travis Lulay for the second time.

B.C. got the ball back on its own 16 with 1:36 left and made it all the way to the Edmonton 39-yard line before the Eskimos defence came up big. Kenny Pettway hit Lulay and the ball popped loose to Kai Ellis who jumped on the ball to secure the win.

With the win the Eskimos improved to 1-4 and avoided matching their worst start in team history, a 0-5 run in 1965.

After last week's 47-21 loss to Winnipeg, the Eskimos were read the riot act by president Rick LeLacheur, who questioned his team's mental and physical toughness. He also promised changes from the top down without a reversal of fortunes against B.C.

It was the fourth loss in a row for the Lions, who are now in a tie with the Esks in last place in the West Division.

The Lions took the lead with three minutes to play in the second quarter as Lulay scrambled nine yards into the end zone shortly after a tremendous 69-yard rushing gain by Jamal Robertson to make it 10-6.

A major storm system with heavy rains, wind and lightning moved in seconds later. With 2:55 to play in the second quarter the players were sent to the locker-rooms for the half early.

The storm also caused a blackout at Commonwealth Stadium and prompted an evacuation from the seating area as the game was briefly suspended for close to 40 minutes.

It remained a four-point B.C. lead at the halftime as Edmonton kicker Noel Prefontaine missed on a late 46-yard field goal attempt.

Edmonton got back into scoring position to start the third after a 51-yard pass from Ray to Fred Stamps took them to the B.C. 25, but they had to settle for three points to make it 10-9.

The Eskimos got the ball back right away thanks to an interception by Thompson after a deflection. The turnover would see them finally get into the end zone as Ray hit Campbell from seven yards for a 16-10 lead.

The Lions conceded a safety and it looked the Eskimos would add some more points on their next possession after another big gain by Stamps, but Ray was stopped on a third and one attempt on the goal-line, keeping the score 18-10 Edmonton after the third.

It didn't take long for that to change as Davis Sanchez cleanly picked off Ray on the first play of the fourth and took it 54 yards for the touchdown to make it 18-17.

Edmonton came back with a field goal on its next possession to lead by four, but were forced to concede a safety soon after to lead 21-19.

But yet another big play by the Lions would give them back the lead as Davis took the ensuing kickoff back 88 yards for the to make it 25-21 B.C.

Edmonton got on the board with a 46-yard field goal from Prefontaine on its opening drive.

Lulay struggled early on as the replacement for injured Casey Printers, unable to get a first down on the Lions' first three drives.

B.C. finally got into scoring range with three minutes left in the opening quarter as Paul McCallum booted a 45-yard field goal to tie the game up 3-3.

Edmonton was unable to convert on a long drive, settling for a 16-yard field goal early in the second and a three-point lead.

The Eskimos host the Toronto Argos next Friday while the Lions return home to welcome the Calgary Stampeders next Saturday.

Notes: Eskimos defensive lineman Adam Braidwood played for the first time since tearing up his knee in a game way back on Oct. 26, 2007, requiring two major surgeries and more than two years of rehab. The first overall pick in the 2006 CFL Draft saw limited time in the final pre-season game in B.C. and started the season on the practice roster ... It was the second meeting between the two teams this season. The Lions one the opening game for both teams 25-10 in Edmonton. ... Both teams had trouble putting points on the board in their first four games as B.C. had 75 and Edmonton just 74, the lowest in the league.