Lions stay perfect, spoil TiCats' home opener

The BC Lions celebrated Canada Day by spoiling the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' home opener, leaving with a 28-3 victory to improve to 2-0 on the season.

The Lions forced five turnovers Friday, including three fumbles, and held a potentially explosive Hamilton offence to 288 total yards in what was an impeccable defensive performance.

Hamilton quarterback Jeremiah Masoli was 26-of-39 and posted 248 yards, but much of that production came in garbage time and he threw a pair of interceptions in the losing effort. Masoli was filling in once again for the injured Zach Collaros, who continues to rehab a torn ACL.

Though the Lions ultimately prevailed, their offence struggled to move the ball. Strong field position off turnovers helped them put points on the board, but Jonathon Jennings sputtered throughout parts of the game and finished his night 16-of-27 for 228 yards and a touchdown.

The one score came at the 7:22 mark of the fourth quarter on a 16-yard strike to Emmanuel Arceneaux. At the time, BC went ahead 25-3, and the Ti-Cats never threatened after that.

Ryan Phillips and Loucheiz Purifoy recorded the picks for BC, while Jeremiah Johnson rushed for 76 yards on 12 carries.

BC's Shawn Gore was the game's leading receiver with four for 116 yards.