Jonathon Jennings and the BC Lions got their swagger - and a shot at a home playoff game - back by defeating the Edmonton Eskimos 32-25 on Saturday.
The 24-year-old Jennings, who was 0-3 in his career against Edmonton, accounted for three touchdowns to help bring the Lions (10-6) level with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for second in the West Division. Unlike their last outing at home, where they blew a late 10-point lead, BC delivered a poised fourth quarter to deprive Mike Reilly and Edmonton (8-8) of sufficient time to mount a comeback.
Winnipeg holds the tiebreaker against the Lions by virtue of sweeping a home-and-away series earlier this month.
Each team finishes with another home-and-away set.
The Lions double-dip against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who have warmed to their spoiler role by going 4-1 in their last five games. The Blue Bombers are up against the Ottawa RedBlacks, who are first in the East in spite of being 2-4 since Labour Day.
Edmonton, whose three-game win streak was snapped, is all but confirmed to be the cross-over playoff team. Edmonton has a potential playoff preview against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday.
Jennings was a turnover-free 21-of-28 for 273 yards with two TDs, along with his rushing score. Emmanuel Arceneaux bested Edmonton with eight receptions for 132 yards and two TDs. Slotback Bryan Burnham made five for 78, including a two-point convert. Jeremiah Johnson had 17 rushes for 108 yards. Richie Leone was 3-of-4 on field goals with a single on an 88-yard kickoff.
Reilly was 24-of-32 for 261 yards and one TD, while also rushing for a score. White had 11 rushes for 76 yards. Sean Whyte was 1-of-1 on field goals, and missed a convert.
The Lions never trailed, opening an 18-5 halftime lead on the margin of Arceneaux scoring twice in the second quarter. Reilly led touchdown drives that twice brought Edmonton to within seven points, but the Lions responded each time.
Jennings put together BC's longest touchdown drive, an 11-play, 95-yard drive. The lanky quarterback scrambled for a 20-yard touchdown.
White answered for Edmonton with a season-long 31-yard TD with 1:09 left in the third, breaking an Adam Bighill tackle and bouncing outside.
The Lions had the ball on 21 of the next 24 plays, thanks in large part to a turnover created by special teams ace Jason Arakgi. Edmonton's Troy Stoudermire ran a missed field goal out to nearly midfield, but Arakgi closed in and forced a fumble. The Lions, with help from an illegal contact on a receiver penalty that negated a sack, capitalized with a field goal.
The Lions induced a two-and-out, with Brandon Stewart deflecting away a pass. Jennings led another field goal drive to open a 32-19 with 4:03 left. The Lions' prevent defence kept Edmonton from scoring again until 34 seconds remained.
The only way Edmonton can finish third is if it wins out while Winnipeg is swept by Ottawa. Edmonton won the season series against the Blue Bombers to earn the tiebreaker.