VANCOUVER — The Lions made a last-minute uniform change to what the club called new “gunmetal grey” attire featuring orange paws and piping. The new duds effectively camouflaged black, orange-bordered jersey numbers from a distance.

The Lions handed the Stampeders a 26-22 loss at B.C. Place Stadium Saturday night.
The Lions improved to 5-2 and moved into a tie for second place with the Stampeders, who are also 5-2. B.C. avenged a one-sided season-opening loss to the Stampeders and ended their winning streak at four games.

Tim Brown returned a kick-off 97 yards for a touchdown and Andrew Harris scored on a 40-yard passing play. Backup quarterback Thomas DeMarco also scored a touchdown for B.C., the first of his CFL career.

The Lions earned their remaining points from a Paul McCallum field goal, three converts and a late safety conceded by Calgary.

Cornish scored a touchdown for Calgary, on a short run, but the Lions held him to just 73 yards rushing and only 10 through the air. The effort was a stark contrast from his previous game when he ran for 175 yards and four touchdowns against Saskatchewan, and the June 28 season opener against B.C. when he scored four TDs.

Marquay McDaniel also scored a touchdown for Calgary, while Rene Paredes furnished two field goals and a pair of converts. B.C. also surrendered a safety.

Calgary general manager and coach John Hufnagel lamented his team’s struggles to close the gap on B.C.’s seemingly precarious 21-16 half-time lead.

“We really had a poor third quarter, and that’s because we did not do a good job catching the football,” said Hufnagel. “I didn’t think it was the quarterback’s play that hindered us. We need to catch the football.”

Photo courtesy BCLions.com