Reilly, Eskimos keep rolling, rout BC Lions
Edmonton Eskimos quarterback Mike Reilly (13) pushes in for the touchdown against the B.C. Lions during second half of a Canadian Football League game in Edmonton, Alberta, Friday July 28, 2017. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
EDMONTON, Alberta — No comeback needed this time.
Mike Reilly and the Edmonton Eskimos (5-0) dominated the BC Lions 37-26 to remain the CFL’s only unbeaten team.
Reilly dazzled in the win despite throwing his first two interceptions of the season. The 2003 Flathead High School grad threw for 412 yards and two touchdowns and completed 24 of 33 passes, running for two more touchdowns in the victory.
He outdueled former teammate and Montana State star Travis Lulay in the win, the Lions (4-2) quarterback completing 22 of 26 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns and running for another.
Reilly didn’t need much time to get warmed up in the game, completing his first pass for 65 yards and his third for a touchdown.
Holding a 10-3 lead at the start of the second quarter and backed up to his own 2-yard line, Reilly unleashed a bomb in the air, finding receiver Vidal Hazelton wide open behind the Lions defense for a 108-yard touchdown pass, a pass that flew 42 yards in the air. The score was the longest in Eskimos history.
It wasn’t the only bit of history Reilly made on the night. By halftime, he also passed Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Moon for third-most completions in Eskimos history.
The Esks held a 20-10 lead at halftime, but saw that lead dwindle in the second half. Lulay led the Lions on two straight scoring drives to start the third quarter, tying the game at 20-20.
That was as close as it would get, though. Edmonton returned the ensuing kick 71 yards into field goal range and scored touchdowns on its next two drives to pull out to a 37-20 lead with 2:14 to play in the game.
Lulay led a touchdown drive on BC’s next possession but ran out of time for a rally. Reilly kneeled out the final minute of play to keep the Eskimos record perfect this season.
Former University of Montana running back Trevon Van was injured on his second carry of the game for Edmonton and did not return.
Edmonton will host Hamilton (0-4) at 5:30 p.m. on Friday in its next game. The Esks beat Hamilton 31-28 in Ontario last week.