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1990Under new Head Coach Lary Kuharich and General Manager Joe Kapp, the Lions generated a good deal of pre-season hype with the signings of quarterback Major Harris, who was fourth in Heisman Trophy balloting, former New York Jets star Mark Gastineau and Doug Flutie. However, the publicity did not translate into on field victories and turmoil plagued the team. Two coaches left very early in the season amid controversy. Tying their first game against Calgary in the dying seconds of the contest as Doug Flutie tossed a "Hail Mary" pass to Ray Alexander in the end zone. However, the team kept close in every game winning a tight one against Winnipeg at home on a last-second Passaglia field goal, and then losing one to Hamilton in the final seconds. The eastern road trip to Ottawa and Toronto, during which the Lions lost both games, the Argo game by a lopsided 68-43 score spelled the beginning of the end for the coach and general manager. The following week the team dropped another one to Toronto 49-19 and one week later Jim Young was behind the bench as interim Head Coach. Bob O'Billovich took over as Vice President of Football Operations and Head Coach on Sept. 14 and promptly guided the team to a strong 34-4 victory over Hamilton. The team gained stability and although they missed the playoffs, "Obie's" charges went 4-3 over the last seven games of the season and their strong finish fuelled hopes for a much brighter 1991 season.Highlights of the season included Lui Passaglia's new pro football scoring record as he booted his 2,238th point, finishing the year with 2,312 points. Lui also became the longest-playing Lion in history, appearing in a total of 236 games, overtaking Al Wilson's previous mark of 233 games. 1990
WESTERN DIVISION EASTERN DIVISION
W. L. T. F. A. Pts. W. L. T. F. A. Pts.
Cal. 11 6 1 588 566 23 Wpg. 12 6 0 472 398 24
Edm. 10 8 0 612 510 20 Tor. 10 8 0 689 538 20
Sask. 9 9 0 557 592 18 Ott. 7 11 0 540 602 14
B.C. 6 11 1 520 620 13 Ham. 6 12 0 476 628 12
Semi-Final Semi-Final
- Saskatchewan 27, Edmonton 43 - Ottawa 25, Toronto 34
Final Final
- Edmonton 43, Calgary 23 - Toronto 17, Winnipeg 20
Grey Cup - Winnipeg 50, Edmonton 11
1991The 1991 season opened with promise. Although the team dropped a 39-34 decision to Calgary at home, the game was tight and the Lions were in it to the very end. It was a harbinger of things to come as Bob O'Billovich's young team (12 rookies in the lineup) turned virtually every contest into a nail biter, playing in a CFL record six overtime contests, winning three and losing three. Behind the outstanding quarterbacking of Doug Flutie, the powerful running of rookie Jon Volpe, the receiving of rookie Matt Clark and veteran Ray Alexander, B.C. was capable of beating any team in the league. On August 1, the Lions faced the mighty Toronto Argonauts featuring Raghib "the Rocket" Ismail, at B.C. Place Stadium. A huge crowd of 53,527 was on hand. The Lions entered the game with a 2-1 record while Toronto was undefeated. After falling behind 21-3 in the first quarter, the Lions battled back and took control of the game in the final quarter. Toronto managed to tie the game but in overtime an electrifying kickoff return for a touchdown by Raymond Ethridge and terrific play by the Lions' special teams spelled the difference. B.C. won 52-41 and won the heart of football fans all over the province and Canada. Unfortunately, the following week arch rival and 1991 nemisis Calgary Stampeders stopped B.C. 34-30 in overtime. That was the story the rest of the year. B.C.'s offense led the league in 11 different categories and the team was in a battle for first place right to the end of the season, putting Edmonton away at Commonwealth Stadium in overtime on October 20, 39-38. But every time Doug Flutie and the Lions needed to put Calgary away something went wrong. Entering the playoffs against the Stampeders in third place with an 11-7 record (best B.C. performance in four years), B.C. took a commanding 31-15 lead by the end of the first half. The team had never lost a game all year when leading at the half. But Calgary came back with an incredible third quarter scoring four touchdowns and then holding off the Lions to win 43-41. A disappointing loss which was partially offset by the fact that three B.C. Lions won outstanding player awards. Doug Flutie was named the CFL's Outstanding Player, Jon Volpe was the CFL's Outstanding Rookie, while Jim Mills became the Outstanding Offensive Lineman for the second consecutive year. Although Doug Flutie signed as a free agent with the Calgary Stampeders, the acquisition of Danny Barrett in late spring gives hope of good things to come. 1991
WESTERN DIVISION EASTERN DIVISION
W. L. T. F. A. Pts. W. L. T. F. A. Pts.
Edm. 12 6 0 671 569 24 Tor. 13 5 0 647 526 26
Cal. 11 7 0 596 552 22 Wpg. 9 9 0 516 499 18
B.C. 11 7 0 661 587 22 Ott. 7 11 0 522 577 14
Sask. 6 12 0 606 710 12 Ham. 3 15 0 400 599 6
Semi-Final Semi-Final
- B.C. 41, Calgary 43 - Ottawa 8, Winnipeg 26
Final Final
- Calgary 38, Edmonton 36 - Winnipeg 3, Toronto 42
Grey Cup - Toronto 36, Calgary 21
1992The team entered training camp in Kelowna with promise. Despite the loss of Doug Flutie, Danny Barrett had led Calgary to the Grey Cup in 1991, and was an excellent quarterback. But in the season opener against Edmonton, Danny struggled and was replaced by Tony Kimbrough in the second half. It was to no avail as the Eskimos went on to a 37-26 victory. The next week, the Lions traveled to Toronto and in the first five minutes of the game marched down the field scoring on an impressive drive. Unfortunately, it was the only bright spot of the evening for B.C. as the Argonauts handed the Lions one of their worst defeats ever - 61-20. In the third game of the year against Doug Flutie and the Calgary Stampeders, the Lions were holding their own when Danny Barrett went down in the third quarter with a seperated shoulder. Flutie then guided Calgary to a 37-19 win and the Lions went downhill from there. The team lost eight straight before finally edging out Ottawa 33-27 on September 3 with Danny Barrett back at the helm. In fact, B.C. looked strong and confident in doing so. Unfortunately off season problems emerged to swing focus from football to ownership. Team owner Murray Pezim and his company Prime Sports, declared bankruptcy and the league and Commissioner Larry Smith stepped in as the interim owners and the search for a new owner was launched. Three weeks later the new owner was found. Bill Comrie, owner of the Brick chain of furniture stores stepped in, saved the team and ushered in a new era. Unfortunately, the team didn't respond, losing the final seven games of the year after winning three straight, finishing the season with a 3-15 record equalling the team's worst previous records (1954: 1-15). That spelled the end for Head Coach Bob O'Billovich. On December 12 a new General Manager Eric Tillman was announced and he in turn brought in Dave Ritchie, the Defensive Coordinator of the Ottawa Rough Riders, as his new Head Coach. It wasn't long before the team underwent a transformation with all-star players such as Rob Smith, Less Browne, and Tyrone Jones joining veterans such as Darren Flutie, Ray Alexander and Danny Barrett. The new era of the B.C. Lions has begun. 1992
WESTERN DIVISION EASTERN DIVISION
W. L. T. F. A. Pts. W. L. T. F. A. Pts.
Cal. 13 5 0 607 430 26 Wpg. 11 7 0 507 499 22
Edm. 10 8 0 552 515 20 Ham. 11 7 0 536 514 22
Sask. 9 9 0 505 545 18 Ott. 9 9 0 484 439 18
B.C. 3 15 0 472 667 6 Tor. 6 12 0 469 523 12
Semi-Final Semi-Final
- Saskatchewan 20, Edmonton 22 - Ottawa 28, Hamilton 29
Final Final
- Edmonton 22, Calgary 23 - Hamilton 11, Winnipeg 59
Grey Cup - Calgary 24, Winnipeg 10
1993The new B.C. Lions, under the guidance of Head Coach Dave Ritchie and General Manager Eric Tillman signed a number of proven CFL veterans including James "Wild" West, Danny McManus, Rob Smith, Less Browne, Tyrone Jones and Sean Foudy. Then exciting rookies such as Cory Philpot, draft pick Tom Europe, Derek Grier and a few others were added to the roster. A contract dispute with Jon Volpe kept him from training camp but by the time the second game rolled around against Toronto he was in the lineup. The team struck quickly with wins over Saskatchewan and Toronto before grinding to a stop in Winnipeg after only three days between road games. However, they would only lose two more through July, August, and midway through September cruising to an 8-3 record for the best start since 1987. Danny Barrett broke one of the most prestigious of all records - single-game passing yards tossing 30 completions for 601 yards eclipsing a mark of 586 set back in 1954 by Sam "The Rifle" Etcheverry. The team entered the September 18 game in Calgary in a battle for first place. However, that night at McMahon Stadium Doug Flutie and the Stamps took a 24-11 halftime lead to go on to a 40-21 victory. That marked the turning point and the Lions would win only two of the next seven games, sliding to a 64-27 pounding against Sacramento in the regular season finale. Nevertheless, they made the playoffs and faced Calgary in the Western Semi-Final on November 14. Despite outplaying the Stampeders, generating twice as much offense, the team could not score a touchdown and fell 17- 9 to the Stamps. However, the 10-8 record was a huge turnaround and gave promise for good things to come in 1994, the 40th anniversary of the Lions. And with Vancouver as host of the Grey Cup in 1994. 1993
WESTERN DIVISION EASTERN DIVISION
W. L. T. F. A. Pts. W. L. T. F. A. Pts.
Cal. 15 3 0 646 418 30 Wpg. 14 4 0 646 421 28
Edm. 12 6 0 507 372 24 Ham. 6 12 0 316 567 12
Sask. 11 7 0 511 495 22 Ott. 4 14 0 387 517 8
B.C. 10 8 0 574 583 20 Tor. 3 15 0 390 593 6
Sac. 6 12 0 498 509 12
Semi-Finals Semi-Finals
- Saskatchewan 13, Edmonton 51 - Ottawa 10, Hamilton 21
- B.C. 9, Calgary 17
Final Final
- Edmonton 29, Calgary 15 - Hamilton 19, Winnipeg 20
Grey Cup - Edmonton 33, Winnipeg 23
1994 1994 Grey Cup RingThe Lions entered the 1994 campaign with one of the finest quarterbacks in the history of the CFL at the helm. Kent Austin was acquired in the off-season in a trade involving Ottawa and Saskatchewan which saw Danny Barrett head to the eastern Rough Riders, Kent Austin arrive in Vancouver and Tom Burgess move back to Saskatchewan. Ottawa also provided offensive guard Denny Chronopoulos, big defensive lineman Andrew Stewart and one of the CFL's finest rush linebackers - Angelo Snipes. A group of young, unknown, aggressive linebackers emerged at training camp - Henry Newby, Tyrone Chatman and Virgil Robertson - while the secondary was strengthened at camp with the addition of Charles Gordon and Enis Jackson. The team opened the season at home and gave a taste of things to come with a hard-fought 24-20 victory over Winnipeg. The Lions offensive power was amply demonstrated the following week with a 57-18 thumping of the Ottawa Rough Riders. By the end of August the Lions were 7-1-0, and had broken several single-game offensive records including points with a 67-15 win over Shreveport. During that period, the secondary was further bolstered with the signing of veteran NFLer James Jefferson while former Super Bowl hero Barry Wilburn joined the team in late September. Nevertheless, the team hit a dry spell, losing close battles to Winnipeg, Edmonton and Saskatchewan. Then, on October 22, Baltimore beat B.C. 48-31 and a playoff run looked out of the question. But a big win over Las Vegas (45-7) and a nail-biting 24-23 loss to Calgary, in a game the Lions should have won, gave new hope. The team traveled to Edmonton for the Western Semi-Final. The Lions had only once won a playoff game in Commonwealth Stadium. And with just over four minutes left, it looked as though they never would. But Charles Gordon's miraculous end-zone interception stopped the Eskimos in their tracks and gave new life to B.C. With Kent Austin at the helm, replacing an injured Danny McManus who had started, the Lions mounted a drive which ate up the clock and the field. Lui Passaglia kicked the winning field goal with 30 seconds to go to give the Lions a tough 24-23 come-from-behind victory. The following week, in the most memorable Western Final ever, and perhaps one of the best football games ever played, the Lions and Stampeders traded touchdowns and field goals all night at McMahon Stadium. Then, in the swirling snow with two minutes remaining and Calgary set to kick a field goal which would put the game out of reach, Ray Alexander leaped up and made the most amazing block ever seen. Danny McManus, who had replaced Kent Austin in the second half after Austin reinjured a separated shoulder, staged a furious last-minute drive, hitting receivers all the way down the field, including an unbeleviable reception on the four yard line to set up an incredible finish. With Calgary leading 36-31, and four seconds left, McManus found Flutie all alone in the end zone to give the Lions their first playoff victory over Calgary in 30 years, and a berth in the Grey Cup against Baltimore in Vancouver. The dramatics continued the following week in the Grey Cup. With 55,097 cheering fans looking on, the Lions and Baltimore staged another thriller with both teams playing great football. Baltimore took a 17-10 lead at halftime and extended it to 20-10 early in the third quarter. But Danny McManus entered the game and the Lions again staged a second half rally. Seemingly stalled at the Baltimore 30 yard line, Lui Passaglia and Darren Flutie performed a fake field goal to perfection to gain a big first down and completely change the momentum of the game. Then McManus ran in from the two yard line to score and the game was tied at 20-20. After the teams exchanged field goals and with the score tied at 23-23, McManus engineered another late-game drive to the Baltimore 37 yard line. This time Passaglia missed the field goal with just over one minute remaining. However, B.C.'s defense rose up and stopped Baltimore cold within their own five-yard line. After a punt and a couple of runs to set up the field goal unit, Passaglia trotted out on the field and with no time remaining and kicked the biggest field goal of his life to give the Lions an incredible 26-23 victory, the third Grey Cup in team history.
1994
WESTERN DIVISION EASTERN DIVISION
W. L. T. F. A. Pts. W. L. T. F. A. Pts.
Cal. 15 3 0 698 355 30 Wpg. 13 5 0 651 572 26
Edm. 13 5 0 518 401 26 Balt. 12 6 0 561 431 24
B.C. 11 6 1 604 456 23 Tor. 7 11 0 504 578 14
Sask. 11 7 0 512 454 22 Ott. 4 14 0 480 647 8
Sac. 9 8 0 436 436 19 Ham. 4 14 0 435 562 8
L.V. 5 13 0 447 622 10 Shvpt. 3 15 0 330 661 6
Semi-Finals Semi-Finals
- B.C. 24, Edmonton 23 - Toronto 15, Baltimore 34
- Calgary 36, Saskatchewan 3 - Winnipeg 26, Ottawa 16
Final Final
- B.C. 37, Calgary 36 - Baltimore 14, Winnipeg 12
Grey Cup - B.C. 26, Baltimore 23
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