Music: {allcanada} MCCALLUM'S SIX FIELD GOALS LEAD LIONS OVER ESKIMOS

Sunday, July 4, 2010

{allcanada} MCCALLUM'S SIX FIELD GOALS LEAD LIONS OVER ESKIMOS

EDMONTON -- Paul McCallum booted six field goals as the B.C. Lions spoiled Edmonton's home opener, defeating the Eskimos 25-10 on Sunday night.

McCallum's six field goals tied his own club record set in 2006.

The Lions join Calgary and Saskatchewan atop the Western Division standings at 1-0 with the Eskimos already a full game behind the other three teams at 0-1.

Edmonton had a rough start to the season.

After marching down to the Lions' one-yard line, the Esks took a couple of penalties before quarterback Ricky Ray was absolutely crushed by Korey Banks, fumbling the ball to Keron Williams. Ray looked shaken up on the play, but returned for the next series.

The Lions put the first points on the board with four seconds remaining in the opening frame as McCallum booted a 44-yard field goal.

It was the Lions' turn for a QB scare early in the second as Casey Printers barreled into the timekeeper's table but emerged unscathed. McCallum added a 49-yard field goal on the next play to put the B.C. up 6-0.

B.C. made it 13-0 with six minutes remaining in the second quarter on a huge individual effort by running back Jamal Robertson, turning on the jets and evading three Eskimo tackles in a 61-yard touchdown run.

That seemed to finally wake the Esks up as they executed a long drive on their next possession, finished off by a four-yard run into the end zone by Arkee Whitlock with 1:31 remaining.

McCallum responded with his third field goal of the night to make it 16-7 for B.C. at the half.

Eskimo kicker Noel Prefontaine and McCallum traded field goals to start the third and the Lions got one more with two minutes left in the quarter as Edmonton returner Skyler Green fumbled at his own 32, scooped up by B.C.'s Jason Arakgi. The 18-yarder was McCallum's fifth three-pointer of the night and put the Lions ahead 22-10.

The Eskimos continued to struggle mightily in the fourth as Ray fumbled the ball again after being sacked by Anton McKenzie. Anthony Reddick recovered the loose ball for the Lions, who took over at midfield. That would eventually lead to yet another McCallum field goal.

Edmonton had a chance to salvage some pride in the late stages but stalled out on the Calgary 14 after three missed passes in the Lions end zone.

Notes: The two teams also met in pre-season play as wide receiver Skyler Green hauled in a last-minute touchdown catch for a 36-32 Eskimos win. Both teams were 1-1 in exhibition action. . . Edmonton was 9-9 last season while the Lions finished at 8-10. . . Edmonton was looking for its 100th win over the Lions. Coming into the match the Esks were 99-67-4 all-time against B.C. . . The Lions are now 4-0 in their last four trips to Edmonton. . . The Lions had 19 new faces on their 46-man roster to start the year. . . It was Edmonton's first game in their lavishly remodelled dressing room. . . Eskimo defensive end Greg Peach left the game with an ankle injury in the first quarter. . . The Edmonton Oilers first overall NHL draft pick Taylor Hall was in attendance for the game. Hall's father Steve, was a receiver in the CFL with Winnipeg and Ottawa after originally being signed by the Eskimos.