Penalties, turnovers, and growing pains—BC Lions push for consistency, aiming to silence critics and shake off last year’s “fraudulent” label.
The BC Lions Are Done Being Called Frauds
Last season, they started strong but stumbled hard. This year, the BC Lions are determined not to let history repeat itself. But if they want to be seen as contenders—not pretenders—they’ve got a lot to clean up.
The Lions clawed out a gritty 21-20 win over Montreal last Saturday. But before fans get too hyped, head coach Buck Pierce is urging caution. “We’ve got work to do,” he says. And he’s right.
Penalties: Killing Momentum, One Flag at a Time
Early in the season, the Lions were impressively disciplined. Just 14 penalties over three games? That’s elite. But in the last two weeks, they’ve unraveled—14 penalties for 125 yards against Saskatchewan, then 11 for 146 against Montreal.
Worse still, those penalties came at critical moments. Two touchdowns were wiped off the board. Instead of six points, they settled for field goals. That’s a game-changer.
“It’s not sustainable,” said Pierce bluntly. “You can’t win when you’re gifting field position and sabotaging your own drives.”
Turnovers and Missed Opportunities
Right now, the Lions lead the league in turnovers with 15—nearly double that of Winnipeg. That stat alone is enough to cause sleepless nights for any coach. Combine that with defensive lapses and missed offensive chances, and you’ve got a team still trying to find its rhythm.
“There are communication breakdowns,” Pierce admits. “We need to clean it up and get everyone on the same page.”
The One Thing the Lions Have in Spades? Grit.
For all the flaws, this team refuses to fold. Time and again, they’ve battled back when it mattered most. Against Montreal, players made clutch plays when it counted.
“They’re resilient,” Pierce said proudly. “They fight every week.”
That toughness will serve them well as they prepare to face the Edmonton Elks this Sunday in Alberta.
Building from Within: The Process Matters
The coaching staff isn’t just focusing on what happens on game day. According to Pierce, winning starts long before kickoff.
“You win with preparation,” he said. “In meetings, at practice, with the choices you make daily. It has to come from within the locker room.”
And that message is resonating. The Lions are locking in, not just hoping to peak—but planning for it.
Extra Points: Quick Hits You Should Know
Reinforcements Arrive: Veteran offensive lineman Hunter Steward is back with BC. With several linemen injured, his return brings much-needed depth.
Kicker on Fire: Sean Whyte has now hit 22 consecutive field goals. Only Hamilton’s Marc Liegghio has a longer active streak (24).
Series on the Line: A win over Edmonton will secure the season series for BC, who beat the Elks 31-14 in their season opener.
Big Crowd Incoming: BC Place will open the upper bowl for the July 19 matchup against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Bottom Line:
The BC Lions aren’t there yet—but they’re climbing. If they can clean up the flags, tighten communication, and hold onto the ball, this squad might just shake off that “fraudulent” label for good.
