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Jennings, Lions take the air out of Alouettes

Ben Nelms / REUTERS

Jonathon Jennings and the BC Lions took advantage of the Montreal Alouettes' self-destructive tendencies Thursday in a convincing 38-18 road win.

The Lions (4-2) completed their long road trip - 37 days between home games - by avoiding a repeat of their late collapse against Calgary last week. The 24-year-old Jennings got the better of the CFL's stingiest defence, going 27-for-32 for 331 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception.

Veteran quarterback Kevin Glenn rallied the Alouettes (2-4) to within a touchdown at the end of the third quarter, but on the first play of the fourth, Lions defensive back Ronnie Yell jarred the ball loose from receiver Corbin Louks. Rookie linebacker Loucheiz Purifoy delivered the scoop and score, sprinting down the sideline for a 47-yard fumble return touchdown to open a 30-18 lead. Sacks by Bryant Turner and Jamaal Westerman scuttled Montreal's next two possessions.

Jennings coolly closed out the win by directing a clock-chewing drive for the clinching chip-shot field goal with 3:08 left.

The Lions never trailed after an 11-play, 63-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter. Emmanuel Arceneaux made a nine-yard scoring grab, holding on after being flipped upside down by Alouettes safety Marc-Olivier Brouillette.

Bryan Burnham, who's emerged as Jennings' favourite receiver, made five receptions for 89 yards while Arceneaux had seven for 70 yards. Jeremiah Johnson added a rushing touchdown and kicker Richie Leone was 4-for-6 on field-goal attempts and added two singles.

Johnson's four-yard scoring run 9:22 into the game was the first opening-quarter touchdown against Montreal this season. The Alouettes have allowed only 10 first-quarter points in six games.

Glenn was 18-for-27 for 231 yards and one touchdown, and also scored his first rushing touchdown since 2014, when he played for the Lions. Duron Carter made seven receptions for 115 yards, while B.J. Cunningham had four for 55 and a touchdown.

Montreal was once again set back by 26-year-old Boris Bede's issues. The strong-legged kicker, who was 1-for-2 with two singles (one on a kickoff), had his ninth missed field goal of the season. Bede also shanked a 12-yard punt in the last minute of the second quarter, which led to the Lions taking possession on Montreal's 12-yard line due to two Alouettes penalties on the play. The gaffe cost Montreal only three points, thanks to rookie defensive back Ethan Davis making a touchdown-saving tackle on second down from the five-yard line.

Bede is 7-of-16 this season, compared to 36-of-40 (90 per cent) in his rookie year.

The Lions also settled for a field goal in the third quarter after cornerback Anthony Gaitor stripped the ball from Alouettes running back Brandon Rutley for a turnover at Montreal's 31-yard line. The Alouettes are 10-for-10 at preventing touchdowns when opponents start a drive in their territory.

The Lions failed twice on two-point converts with backup quarterback Travis Lulay in the game. Montreal also went for two after Cunningham's first-quarter touchdown, but a harried Glenn threw incomplete.

The Alouettes face the Edmonton Eskimos on Thursday to start the Week 8 docket, while the Lions host the struggling Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Aug. 13.

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