1991
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:45 pm
1991
The 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. Unfortunately, the following week arch rival and 1991 nemisis Calgary Stampeders stopped B.C. 34-30 in overtime. B.C.'s offence 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 brought hope of good things to come.
West Division Team GP W L T PF PA Pts
Edmonton Eskimos 18 12 6 0 671 569 24
Calgary Stampeders 18 11 7 0 596 552 22
British Columbia Lions 18 11 7 0 661 587 22
Saskatchewan Roughriders 18 6 12 0 606 710 12
East Division Team GP W L T PF PA Pts
Toronto Argonauts 18 13 5 0 647 526 26
Winnipeg Blue Bombers 18 9 9 0 516 499 18
Ottawa Rough Riders 18 7 11 0 522 577 14
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 18 3 15 0 400 599 6
Semi-Finals - B.C. 41 - Calgary 43
Semi-Finals - Ottawa 8 - Winnipeg 26
Finals - Calgary 38 - Edmonton 36
Finals - Winnipeg 3 - Toronto 42
Grey Cup - Toronto 36 - Calgary 21
The 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. Unfortunately, the following week arch rival and 1991 nemisis Calgary Stampeders stopped B.C. 34-30 in overtime. B.C.'s offence 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 brought hope of good things to come.
West Division Team GP W L T PF PA Pts
Edmonton Eskimos 18 12 6 0 671 569 24
Calgary Stampeders 18 11 7 0 596 552 22
British Columbia Lions 18 11 7 0 661 587 22
Saskatchewan Roughriders 18 6 12 0 606 710 12
East Division Team GP W L T PF PA Pts
Toronto Argonauts 18 13 5 0 647 526 26
Winnipeg Blue Bombers 18 9 9 0 516 499 18
Ottawa Rough Riders 18 7 11 0 522 577 14
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 18 3 15 0 400 599 6
Semi-Finals - B.C. 41 - Calgary 43
Semi-Finals - Ottawa 8 - Winnipeg 26
Finals - Calgary 38 - Edmonton 36
Finals - Winnipeg 3 - Toronto 42
Grey Cup - Toronto 36 - Calgary 21