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Lions keep playoff hopes alive with 23-17 win over Roughriders

Nov 1, 2010 - 1:13 AM VANCOUVER (CP) - Yonus Davis returned a punt 88 yards for a touchdown and the B.C. Lions scored on a late turnover to keep their CFL playoff hopes alive with a 23-17 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Sunday afternoon.

The Lions were leading 13-10 midway through the fourth quarter when linebacker Anthony Reddick stripped Rider quarterback Darian Durant of the ball. Korey Banks recovered the fumbled on the Saskatchewan 22-yard line.

That set up Travis Lulay's four-yard pass to Steven Banks, which sealed the B.C. win.

The victory improved the Lions record to 7-10, which moved them into a third-place tie in the West with the Edmonton Eskimos. The Eskimos improved to 7-10 with a 16-13 overtime win against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Saturday night.

To clinch the final playoff spot the Lions must win their final game of the season next week against the Tiger-Cats in Hamilton. They will also need the Riders to defeat the Eskimos in Regina.

If the Lions and Eskimos are tied, Edmonton advances to the playoffs because of two wins over B.C. this season.

Paul McCallum kicked field goals of 27, 39 and 34 yards.

The Riders, who lost their fourth consecutive game, drop to 9-8 but have wrapped up second place in the West and will host the division semifinal.

Durant threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Cary Koch, then hit Chris Getzlaf on a 25-yard play late in the game. Durant also was guilty of several costly turnovers.

Warren Kean kicked a 15-yard field goal.

A large contingent of green-and-white dressed Rider fans were among the crowd of 25,479 on a chilly afternoon at Empire Field. Being Halloween, many people showed up in costumes, ranging from simple pumpkin heads to elaborate space-alien outfits.

Davis scored the game's first touchdown on an exciting play late in the second quarter with the score tied 3-3.

The speedster from San Jose State fielded a punt at his own 32-yard line, then made the first Rider defender miss. The Lions did a great job of setting up the wall, with linebacker James Yurichuk throwing the block that sprung Davis.

The last Rider with a chance at him was punter Eddie Johnson, but Davis easily eluded him.

Mistakes cost the Riders.

Early in the second quarter Saskatchewan was threatening when Durant sailed a high pass that slotback Jason Clermont tipped into the air. Halfback Ryan Phillips intercepted the floating ball on the B.C. 24.

Lulay threw a 38-yard bomb to Emmanuel Arceneaux to move the ball down the field, then the Lions kept the drive alive with a roughing-the-passer call. McCallum eventually kicked a short field goal.

Midway through the third Saskatchewan was in field-goal position when a scrambling Durant attempted an ill-advised shovel pass.

Defensive end Aaron Hunt, who had just returned after missing 11 games with an injury, intercepted and returned the ball to the Rider 54.

Lulay, the second-year quarterback who has taken over the starting position following the release of Casey Printers, showed poise all game. He was able to hook up with Arceneaux and Geroy Simon on some big passes, but B.C. had trouble finishing drives.

On a wild play in the fourth quarter, Durant sent a deep ball down field. Phillips stepped in front of slotback Andy Fantuz for the interception. On the return Phillips fumbled and Fantuz recovered for Saskatchewan.

NOTES: The last time the Lions missed the playoffs was 1996 when they finished fourth in the West with a 5-13 record. ... The only time Wally Buono has missed the playoffs was 2002 when his Calgary Stampeders finished 6-12. ... The Lions spent Saturday night at a downtown hotel.