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Lions earn dramatic comeback win to reach Western Final

Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images Sport / Getty

With his best receiver in concussion protocol, Jonathon Jennings brought the BC Lions back to defeat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 32-31 in the West Division semifinal on Sunday.

The Lions lost the turnover battle and lost slotback Emmanuel Arceneaux, but never lost hope, driving for two touchdowns in the final 10 minutes to avenge two regular-season losses to Winnipeg. Down by five points, Jennings gave the Lions their only lead with 1:06 left by escaping a collapsing pocket and sprinting past Winnipeg safety Taylor Loffler for a go-ahead 9-yard touchdown run, capping a composed 82-yard drive.

Coincidentally, Loffler put Arceneaux out of the game in the third quarter with a hit on the CFL's third-leading receiver that drew an unnecessary roughness penalty.

Following a failed two-point convert and a good kickoff return by Quincy McDuffie, the Blue Bombers' last-chance drive fizzled at the Lions' 53-yard line. Winnipeg coach Michael O'Shea opted to have Justin Medlock attempt a 61-yard field goal. Medlock's try was well short and the Lions were able to run out the clock.

The win sends the Lions to the Western Final next week against the Calgary Stampeders. The Lions are the only team to defeat Calgary's full team this season - although that was during the first week of the season.

Jennings was 26-of-35 for 329 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, while also rushing for two TDs. Jeremiah Johnson had 11 rushes for a game-high 110 yards, including a 40-yard sprint for a touchdown that got BC Rolling late in the second quarter. Bryan Burnham (four receptions, 63 yards) and Terrell Sinkfield caught TD passes. The Lions went 0-for-3 on two-point convert attempts.

Matt Nichols was 26-of-40 for a season-most 390 yards and two touchdowns for Winnipeg, which did not have a turnover. Ryan Smith made seven receptions for 106 yards and two TDs, while Weston Dressler added three for 98 yards. Andrew Harris (11-61 rushing, 4-27 receiving) also scored a touchdown. Medlock was 3-of-4 on field goals and also had a kickoff single.

The Lions made it harder for themselves with 10 penalties for 103 yards. Winnipeg had only four for 90 yards, the bulk of which came on a 58-yard pass interference penalty against Chris Randle that was levied after a successful coach's challenge by BC's Wally Buono.

With 2:18 left in the second quarter, Winnipeg was in command with a 25-6 lead. Opening up the playbook led to back-to-back touchdowns from Smith. A fake end-around helped Dressler get behind coverage for a 60-yard reception. On the next play, Smith hauled in a 27-yard reception after Mike Edem left the deep middle vacated. On the next Winnipeg possession, Smith caught a 34-yard touchdown from a bootleg pass.

On the next Lions possession, Johnson broke a tackle from Khalil Bass at the line of scrimmage and shook off Loffler for a 40-yard touchdown run.

In the second half, Jennings produced two 75-yard touchdown drives to get the Lions back in contact. The Blue Bombers' two best drives of the second half resulted in field goals. Following Sinkfield's TD with 6:37 left, the Lions' defence forced a two-and-out, with linebacker Bo Lokombo tackling Harris a yard shy of the first-down marker on second down.

Two takeaways helped Winnipeg gain an early 11-0 lead. Jennings was intercepted by Randle on the Lions' second snap of the game. The Lions' first red-zone visit ended when Maurice Leggett strip-sacked Jennings. Two Lions penalties on the next possession - including a taunting call against Loucheiz Purifoy - helped Winnipeg turn that fumble recovery into a field goal.

The Lions went 1-2 against Calgary in the regular season. The Stampeders won 44-41 in overtime in their lone meeting at McMahon Stadium.

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