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Lions beat reeling 'Riders; Durant goes down

Brent Just / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Jonathon Jennings and the B.C. Lions added insult to injury with a 40-27 road win Saturday against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who lost quarterback Darian Durant after a late hit in the second quarter.

Jennings, who was pulled during B.C.'s previous outing, went 25-for-40 for a career-high 429 yards with three touchdowns and rushed for a fourth to lead the Lions (3-1) back from a 13-point halftime deficit. National receiver Shawn Gore, who is off to the best start of his career, scored the winning touchdown on a 59-yard pass with 8:04 left in the fourth quarter. The Roughriders (0-3), who have yet to win under head coach-GM Chris Jones, failed to sustain early success from backup quarterback Mitchell Gale, scoring only four second half points.

The Lions took advantage of Saskatchewan being decimated by injuries. Along with Durant, the Roughriders also lost two national starters. Guard Brendon LaBatte (upper body) and wide receiver Shamawd Chambers (hamstring) each left in the first half.

The 33-year-old Durant, who missed virtually all of last season after rupturing his left Achilles tendon in the season opener, injured the same leg after Lions defensive tackle Mic'hael Brooks hit him late and low in the second quarter. Durant threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to veteran wide receiver Rob Bagg on the next play before leaving the game. Durant was on crutches on Saskatchewan's sideline during the second half.

The Roughriders scored on their first three drives with Gale. They failed to make a first down in the third quarter, but Jennings found his comfort zone and led the Lions to 16 consecutive points. Following a game-tying field goal, Jennings and Gore quickly restored B.C.'s lead.

All-star offensive lineman Jovan Olafioye caught his first CFL touchdown pass on a tackle-eligible play, while Anthony Allen and Nick Moore also scored touchdowns for the Lions. Richie Leone was 1-for-1 on field goals and had three punt singles. Gore had six receptions for 109 yards, while Bryan Burnham added five for 103.

Nic Demski also scored a touchdown for Saskatchewan, while rookie kicker Tyler Crapigna went 4-for-5 on field goals with one single. Gale was 17-for-29 for 247 yards, but was frequently hurried by the Lions pass rush during the second half. Naaman Roosevelt made eight receptions for a game-high 132 yards.

The Roughriders, who have lost 25 of their last 30 games, host the undefeated Ottawa RedBlacks on Friday. Saskatchewan has allowed at least 30 points in 16 of their last 21 games.

With B.C.'s victory, road teams are 12-3-1 after four weeks.

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