- THE BUZZ:
Fans attending the Lions game at B.C. Place Saturday night could witness CFL history, as coach Wally Buono will once again try to beat the league's all-time coaching wins record. However, he'll have to win without quarterback Jarious Jackson.
- NUMBER ONE AGAIN:
Quarterback Buck Pierce will most likely get the nod as starter this Saturday after Jackson did not practice all week, due to an injury to his throwing shoulder. Pierce has not started since August 14, coincidentally, against the Toronto Argonauts when he was knocked out of the game with a concussion.
- MORE ON JJ:
Jackson will miss three to five weeks, according to the club, after undergoing an MRI Thursday on his right shoulder, which he injured during the loss to the Alouettes this past Sunday. The Lions are calling it an injury to the rotator cuff. Jackson is also suffering from a sore pinky finger. With Jackson out, Travis Lulay will fill in as the backup QB, while Zac Champion will be the third string.
- WINNING WALLY:
He tied the record two weeks ago with a win against Montreal, but Buono will need one more to become the CFL's winningest coach of all-time. The Lions' bench boss, who has a 78-39-1 record in seven seasons with B.C., is currently tied with Don Matthews at 231 career wins.
- LESSER OPPONENT:
After winning one and losing another in a back-to-back matchup the last two weeks against the league's best Montreal Alouettes, the 4-6 Lions will face the3-7 Toronto Argonauts, who currently sit third in the Eastern division. The matchup might have postseason implications since B.C. could crossover in the playoffs if they finish last in the West, but higher than Toronto and Winnipeg in the East.
- COACH TALK:
"The likelihood is that he probably won't play," Buono said yesterday prior to finding out the test results for Jackson. A local radio station had earlier speculated that Jackson will be out for the year, prompting Buono to say, "If he has sources that have information, then that's a little bit nerve racking considering we haven't even gotten that information yet."
- LAST MEETING:
B.C. needed a big second half comeback to defeat the Argonauts 36-28 on Toronto's own turf during week seven, so fans can expect the Argos to be seeking revenge this time around at the dome.
- WATCHING JEROME:
The Argonauts are expected to officially sign receiver/kick returner Jerome Mathis, who has been with the club since he was cut in June, and use him against B.C. tomorrow. "You cage a lion up for so long and leave the meat right there in front of him," a fully healthy Mathis said. "Now you leave the gate open. It has been long and frustrating. I can only get so excited and then I have to go out there and make plays."
