Riders linebacker Solomon Elimimian slammed Mike Reilly into the turf and let the Lions bench know about it.
Well, that didn't take long ???? Solomon Elimimian (@SolomonE56) returns to his former stomping grounds with a huge sack early! ????#CFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/Ozpt1ap3Z3
— CFL on TSN (@CFLonTSN) July 27, 2019
That set the stage for Saskatchewan to rough up the Lions 45-18.
Elimimian made his return trip to B.C. after playing nine years for the Lions. He earned many accolades winning the Most Outstanding Rookie Award in 2010, becoming the first defensive player to be named CFL MOP in 2014, earned two Most Outstanding Defensive Player Awards (2014 and 2016) along with a Grey Cup ring in 2011.
The veteran linebacker felt there was a change of course among the Lions’ new powers that be in Ed Hervey and head coach DeVone Claybrooks.
“We’re the ones watching the film, we see the players on film and we know when a players’ time is up and that’s the decision that we made,” Hervey said following the release of Elimimian in the off-season.
The 32-year-old looked spry at B.C. Place in Week 7. That game tape would be impressive as Elimimian led the green and white with four tackles and added the quarterback take down. Saskatchewan’s defensive captain had his unit flying around and held Reilly to 66 passing yards while allowing just 42 per cent of his passes to be completed and sacking the 34-year-old four times. The Riders gave up just 110 total offensive yards.
B.C. return man Ryan Lankford was by far the best player on the field for the Lions. He took a missed field goal back 118 yards for a major in the first half and returned a kick-off 89 yards to the end zone in the second half. Lankford becomes the 19th player in the CFL history to score two return touchdowns in one game. The only man to do it three times in one game: Gizmo Williams.
But aside from Lankford the Lions were lethargic. B.C. has already lost the season series with two West Division opponents: Edmonton and Saskatchewan. The Lions are last in the West with a 1-6 record. DeVone Claybroks’ group has failed to live up to all the hype surrounding the Leos following many big-name free agent acquisitions.
.@WilliamPowell33 nearly gets stopped, but somehow finds a gap and takes it all the way for the @sskroughriders!#CFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/DcwBO0PSF4
— CFL on TSN (@CFLonTSN) July 28, 2019
That’s how the Riders put William Powell in their lineup and the 31-year-old produced his best game of the season. Powell carried the ball 21 times for 146 yards and three touchdowns. Saskatchewan’s big men controlled the line of scrimmage creating holes in the run game and keeping Cody Fajardo clean. The Riders did not allow Fajardo to be sacked.
Cody Fajardo (@CodyFajardo17) finds Kyran Moore WIDE open in the endzone for the @sskroughriders TD!#CFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/V61fxBHrAf
— CFL on TSN (@CFLonTSN) July 27, 2019
Fajardo was efficient completing 21-of-26 for 169 yards and one touchdown strike while rushing for 46 yards on seven carries. He improves to 3-2 as a starter. Corey Watson and Kyran Moore were his top targeted receivers, Watson six grabs for 53 yards and Moore four catches, 38 yards and one touchdown. Manny Arceneaux had one reception for six yards in his first game back in B.C.
Saskatchewan improves to 3-3 after two straight wins against the Lions. Elimimian produced 11 tackles and two sacks running his personal mark to 2-0 facing his former team.
