B.C. Lions win home-opening game, set attendance record

The B.C. Lions exhaled on Saturday at their sold-out home opener show that featured a concert from rapper 50 Cent.

Expectations for the team were high coming into the CFL season and last week's loss to the Toronto Argonauts took many onlookers by surprise.

Beating the Calgary Stampeders 26-17 gave the Lions some relief.

"I feel like we got the monkey off our back," said linebacker Josh Woods. "Last week it didn't feel like it was us. It was good to get a win and give guys confidence, new guys confidence. We feel like us again."

According to the B.C. Lions, the team set a new club record for with a home opener attendance of 53,788 people. The previous record was set on July 6, 1984, when 43,501 fans came through the turnstiles for a game against Edmonton.

Vernon Adams Jr. threw for 277 yards, connecting on 17 of 29 attempts, including two touchdowns, and drove in another major for B.C. (1-1).

"We had to adjust and we did. I still want to be more consistent. It was a real roller-coaster type of game," Adams said. "But a hard-fought win, man. Can't take anything from these guys. I love the way we battled and finished that game."

Calgary's Jake Maier went 26 for 33 with 339 passing yards, two TDs and one interception as the Stampeders (1-1) took their first loss of the campaign.

B.C. sacked the quarterback four times.

"I'm not concerned right now because I like our team. And I understand that no team right now should be playing their best football in Week 2," said Calgary's head coach Dave Dickenson. "They fought hard. We've got good talent. We have playmakers. We played a good football team."

Maier, who was named the league's top offensive player for his performance against Hamilton last week, continued his solid play early