Burris does it all in Calgary win

Henry Burris threw a franchise record 141st touchdown pass and ran for two more scores to lift the Calgary Stampeders to a 27-18 victory over the B.C. Lions on Friday.

The Stamps quarterback passed Doug Flutie with the scoring throw, which went for five yards to Jeremaine Copeland in the third quarter. That play was upheld by video review, with Copeland deemed to have kept his feet in for his 12th touchdown reception of the season.

Burris ran in from seven yards and one yard out in the second quarter as Calgary improved to 7-5 atop the CFL West. He completed 14 of 27 passes for 197 yards, with no interceptions.

"It was a special one," Burris said of the record toss. "With the season that Cope's had, he was definitely the guy that was destined to make it happen."

Copeland was certain he had his feet in bounds.

"When I was stretching out for the ball, I knew I had my toes in," said the receiver, who hustled over to congratulate his quarterback. "That was awesome.

"We've still got a long ways to go, so we're going to try to blow that record out of the water."

Running back Joffrey Reynolds racked up 151 yards on 17 carries to strongly aid the offensive attack.

Martel Mallett was just as good for the Lions, running 15 times for 136 yards, including a 25-yarder for the first touchdown of the game.

Buck Pierce threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Paris Jackson in the second, but struggled in the second half.

"We left our defence on the field way too long," Pierce said. "We moved the ball well in the first half but did not in the second half. We need to play better for four quarters."

With the Stampeders up by six in the final quarter, Pierce threw an interception in B.C. territory to Keon Raymond.

Sandro DeAngelis kicked a field goal as a result of the turnover, putting a huge dent in the comeback hopes for the visitors.

Pierce finished 17-of-27 for 230 yards passing in his second start since Jarious Jackson was sidelined with an injury.

Calgary had trounced the Lions 48-10 in the previous encounter this season. The teams meet again at BC Place on Oct. 31.

There was no scoring in the first, with Mallett rumbling up the gut to put the Lions on top early in the second.

Demetris Summers immediately got the crowd at McMahon Stadium energized by taking the ensuing kickoff 75 yards to set up the seven-yard keeper by Burris.

Pierce led the Lions on a 74-yard drive in response. Jackson didn't endear himself to the Calgary crowd with an enthusiastic Western-themed touchdown celebration.

Burris drove his side down the field for a DeAngelis field goal and then snuck in from one yard out later in the period to put the Stampeders up 17-14 at the half.

B.C. had a terrific chance to start the third quarter when Ryan Phillips recovered a Reynolds fumble, but the Lions settled for a short Sean Whyte field goal.

The go-ahead drive for the Stamps late in the third encompassed eight plays and 93 yards, capped off by Copeland's diving catch near the sideline.

B.C. defender JoJuan Armour made his first trip to Calgary after being released by the Stampeders for discipline issues in the off-season.

Romby Bryant, acquired by the Stampeders this week in a trade with Winnipeg, finished with four catches for 38 yards.