BC Blitz: Lions pound Bombers

Aug 11, 2006, 4:45 GMT

Winnipeg, MB - In a sloppy game featuring backup quarterbacks and 13 turnovers, Paul McCallum converted six field goals and Buck Pierce ran for a touchdown, as the British Columbia Lions mauled the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 32-5.

Pierce completed 26-of-41 passes for 282 yards and three interceptions in place of starting Lions (6-3) quarterback Dave Dickenson, who suffered a high ankle sprain last week. Pierce ran seven times for 56 yards, while Joe Smith rushed 11 times for 47 yards.

BC receiver Ryan Thelwell pulled in five catches for 52 yards, while Smith had seven catches for 84 yards, as the Lions won their fourth straight game.

Winnipeg (5-4) quarterback Mike Quinn completed 13-of-26 passes for 147 yards and four picks in place of starting quarterback Kevin Glenn, who suffered a knee injury in last week's 26-11 loss to Hamilton.

Blue Bombers running back Charles Roberts rushed 10 times for 58 yards and also caught six passes for 78 yards.

Two short field goals from McCallum in the first quarter gave the Lions an early 6-0 lead.

Troy Westwood's 42-yard field goal in the second quarter cut Winnipeg's deficit in half, but Pierce's impressive 11-yard touchdown run with 4:15 left in the first half gave B.C. a 13-3 lead at halftime.

The third quarter resembled the first, as McCallum converted two field goals to give the Lions a 19-3 advantage.

McCallum added a 17-yarder before the Lions conceded a safety rather than punt with 5:36 left in the game to make it a 22-5.

McCallum converted his sixth field goal of the game with 1:51 to play, and on Winnipeg's next possession, Nautyn Mckay-Loescher returned a fumble 69 yards to complete the scoring.

Game Notes

McCallum has converted 21-of-23 field goals this season.

Winnipeg was also without star receiver Milt Stegall, who was out with a rib injury.

© 2006 The Sports Network