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McCallum kicks 6 FGs, Lions hand Stampeders first home loss

Sep 26, 2010 - 5:03 AM CALGARY, Alberta (CP) - The B.C. Lions handed the Calgary Stampeders their first loss at home this season with a 29-10 victory Saturday night at McMahon Stadium.

The Lions improved to 4-8 in the West Division, while the Stampeders suffered their first back-to-back defeats this CFL season and dropped to 9-3.

Calgary now has the Saskatchewan Roughriders on their heels for top spot in the West Division. Earlier Saturday, the 'Riders downed the host Hamilton Tiger-Cats 32-25 to improve to 8-4. The Ticats dropped to 6-6.

The Lions have won three of their last four games after starting the season 1-7.

Paul McCallum kicked six straight field goals, including five in the first half, before missing a pair of attempts in the second half.

The two clubs traded their lone touchdowns of the game in the final three minutes. B.C.'s Jamal Robertson ran 55 yards for a TD. Calgary's Landan Talley caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Drew Tate with nine seconds left.

Lions running back Yonus Davis had a huge return game with 239 total yards.

Calgary kicker Rob Maver made one field goal on two attempts.

The Stamps, already assured of a playoff berth, were trying to nail down a home playoff game, but the No. 1 offence in the league was stymied by the Lions' defence. Middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian led the way with 10 tackles.

Both starting quarterbacks struggled and were replaced by their backups during the game.

Calgary's Henry Burris made 11-of-26 pass attempts. He was intercepted twice. Drew Tate came in for the fourth quarter and was 8-for-13 for 88 yards and one touchdown pass.

Casey Printers was replaced by Travis Lulay comes in late in first half after four passes on nine attempts for 62 yards. Lulay finished 5-for-12 and 82 yards.

After gaining a crucial first down deep in B.C. territory in the third quarter, Burris took off running and dropped the ball, which was recovered by Dante Marsh. Burris was also sacked for a loss of 25 yards in the last minute of the quarter.

B.C. held Calgary to zero points and 93 yards in the first half, including just 15 rushing. The Lions' offence, however, couldn't generate a TD. The visitors settled for five field goals from six stalled drives.

Calgary left the field at halftime under a chorus of boos from the 29,637 at McMahon Stadium. The Stampeders' vaunted offence was in disarray.

The Stamps caught a break with the Lions on first and goal late in the second quarter. B.C.'s Korey Banks had intercepted Burris and ran the ball in for a touchdown, but Calgary coach John Hufnagel challenged whether Banks was down by contact and won the challenge.

Calgary's Miguel Robede then sacked Printers on B.C.'s next possession. The quarter back coughed up the ball, which was recovered by Stampeder defensive lineman Tearrius George.

Calgary couldn't convert a first and goal into a touchdown in the second quarter and Maver's 18-yard field goal attempt deflected off the right upright and away.

The Lions were quickly up 6-0 on a pair of field goals in the first five minutes, before padding their lead with three late in the quarter. The second came courtesy of a Dante Marsh interception on Burris at the 45-yard line.

B.C. had great field position off the opening kick-off as Davis ran a 72-yard drive to the Stampeders' 30, but the visitors settled for a 20-yard field goal from McCallum.

Notes: Calgary was minus receiver Nik Lewis, who sat out the game with a knee injury. . . Calgary running back Joffrey Reynolds was honoured at halftime for becoming the franchise's all-time leading rusher on Sept. 10. He surpassed previous record the 8,292 held by Kelvin Anderson. . . Calgary hosts the Montreal Alouettes (9-3) on Friday, while the Lions are at home to Winnipeg (3-9) on Saturday.