(Winnipeg) Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive end Willie Jefferson is expecting quite a fight against the British Columbia Lions in the CFL Western final on Saturday.
The Lions were in Winnipeg on June 22, when the Blue Bombers suffered their first loss of the season by a humiliating score of 30-6.
On August 3, the Blue Bombers were in Lion territory and won by an impressive score of 50-14.
The last duel between the two teams this season, in British Columbia, ended 34-26 for the Bombers, in overtime.
“It was a heavyweight fight,” Jefferson said Friday. We try to hit and hit the target, while wanting to play good defense. »
Manitoba’s defense led the CFL this season in fewest points allowed, net gains and passing yards.
The Lions finished fourth in fewest points allowed, second in fewest net gains and fourth in fewest passing yards.
With a victory, the Blue Bombers would participate in a fourth consecutive Gray Cup final, a first for the organization.
Saturday’s game is expected to be a fifth straight sellout for the Blue Bombers, with 32,343 fans at IG Field. The team is 8-1 this season at home (31-3 since 2019).
The Lions practiced with crowd noise at BC Place this week, to prepare for enemy fans.
“We’ve tried a lot to simulate situations where there’s no agreement, where you have to count down the throw-in silently,” Lions coach Rick Campbell said.
PHOTO DARRYL DYCK, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Lions head coach Rick Campbell
“We just don’t want to be surprised or frozen in those moments. »
The Blue Bombers led the league this season in rushing yards (2,503), while the Lions finished last (1,391).
However, Lions like to gain ground through the air. They finished first in passing yards (5,672). For their part, the Blue Bombers finished second (5,263).
Lions quarterback Vernon Adams led the CFL in passing yards with 4,769, including 31 touchdown passes. He had a career-high in interceptions among quarterbacks, with 18.
He also ran the ball 48 times, amassing 324 yards and one touchdown.
He delivered a very strong game in the win against the Stampeders in the West semi-final: 413 air yards, two touchdowns, 54 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.
Bombers linebacker Adam Bighill observed how Adams can escape and extend plays.
“You tell yourself not to let him do that,” Bighill said, with a smile. One of the keys to winning against a quarterback skilled with his feet is to limit him to that level. »
Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros balances his team’s ground game.
Collaros finished the season second in passing yards with 4,252. He led all other quarterbacks with 33 touchdown passes. He was the victim of 15 interceptions.