The BC Lions will be without star quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. on Sunday night when they look to record their ninth consecutive victory over the host Edmonton Elks.
Adams sustained a right knee injury during last week’s humbling 25-0 loss to the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Lions termed his status as week-to-week earlier this week before listing him as questionable on Friday.
However, coach Rich Campbell said Adams won’t dress for the contest against the Elks (1-7).
Jake Dolegala will start for BC (5-3). He passed for 2,641 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 13 games last season (nine starts) for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
“He’s not going to be fazed by the tempo of the game or anything like that,” Campbell said of Dolegala. “This is the reason we sign a guy with experience. We always talk in the offseason about how it’s going to take two (quarterbacks) to get it done. It’s no different this year.”
Of course, Adams isn’t just any quarterback. He ranks second in the CFL in passing yardage (2,469) and touchdowns (14) while throwing just six interceptions in 259 attempts.
Dolegala figures last season’s playing time will pay off.
“Just the experience I got out there,” Dolegala said on knowing he’ll be ready. “Starting nine games is big in this league. I just got to out there and play my game.”
Dolegala went 1-for-3 passing for 12 yards after replacing Adams against Winnipeg. The Lions had season lows of 102 yards and four first downs.
Edmonton is coming off its first win of the season as it ran over host Saskatchewan in a 42-31 road win.
The Elks churned out 276 rushing yards on just 28 attempts — a 9.9 average — and Javon Leake had a career game with 169 yards and three touchdowns against a Saskatchewan team that was allowing just 47.9 rushing yards per game entering the contest.
Leake should get a healthy dose of work with starter Kevin Brown (shoulder) out for the second straight week.
Tre Ford completed 18 of 22 passes for 252 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in his first start of the season for Edmonton. Wideout Trevin Jones had three receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns.
“I think it’s huge for us, and I think it also sets the tone, especially with how our offense did,” Ford said. “Our offensive line was able to dominate the front and we ran for 270-something yards. It’s phenomenal when you can do that. And it makes my job really easy.”
Ford has thrown five touchdown passes in 39 attempts. McLeod Bethel-Thompson started the club’s first seven games.
BC continued its dominance over the Elks with a 24-21 home victory on June 27. Adams passed for 331 yards and one touchdown.
–Field Level Media
