Lionbackers.com

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

D wrote: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.

While personally I think the 1991 Lions team was way too overrated given its terrible defence that would always ruin the great efforts of the offence and I've personally attended better regular season games, I believe many would think that the 1991 season was the best one for a non-championship season (or even a championship season like the 2000 one) and this game can very well be the most exciting regular season game in Lions history.







And as I said before, ironically the hero of the game Raymond "the Missile" Ethridge would be released shortly afterwards and he seemed to have vanished from this world. But his legacy based on that one single moment will forever be remembered from all Lions fans. As the immortal movie line goes: He exists now only in my memory.

When did Danny Barrett ever become a harbinger for "good" things? He was marginal as as a QB, Coach and even as a slot back where he played for awhile.

I found this old Ricky's poster while searching through my files. Enjoy.
http://s566.photobucket.com/albums/ss10 ... ter001.jpg

As I indicated before, from most Lions' fans this is the most exciting non-championship season in Lions history, and can even be more entertaining compared to the championship season of 2000 and the first-place west division seasons of 1987, 1999, and 2005. To be though, the season was simply way to disappointing and agonizing to be one of the best seasons. It was so angry and frustrating for Doug Flutie and the Lions offence work hard to produce their hard-working points on the scoreboard, only to have the terrible defence ruin the hard-earned points. And what was also very disappointing is that the "excitement" wasn't often seen at home at least with the end result as the Lions had a good road record at 7-2 but an unacceptable mediocre home record at 4-5.

BC 26 at Winnipeg 23

The Lions second game and first win. This was also the first of six Lions overtime games, winning 3 and losing 3.

Edmonton 36 at BC 37


A rare glimpse of Raymond Ethridge in action OTHER than the kickoff TD return in the next game as he started at wide receiver and caught a pass. It looks like Ethridge was released because he lost his starting job when Darren Flutie was signed a few games later.

Toronto 41 at BC 52

You all know about this game, perhaps the most exciting regular home season game ever.

BC 25 at Toronto 34

Matt Dunigan only played 8 games in 1991, but he played this game and managed to avenge his former team that traded him away.

BC 56 at Ottawa 29


Winnipeg 23 at BC 36


Saskatchewan 49 at BC 47


BC 37 at Hamilton 27

Too bad the Lions couldn't repeat the performance at home in the regular season finale.

BC 39 at Edmonton 38


BC 36 at Saskatchewan 5


With this easy win in the penultimate regular season game, the Lions in a position to clinch first and host the WDF. But alas.....
No highlights on the Lions worst regular season finale.

WDSF BC 41 at Calgary 43

When it comes to the worst heartbreaking and agonizing division semi-final playoff losses, this would be it. This clip essentially summarizes the entire 1991 season. The offence works very hard and builds a decent 31-15 lead at halftime, only to see the defence nap and allows Calgary to score four TD's in the 3rd quarter while Calgary defence limits the Lions to 10 points in the second half. This clip shows the start of the 3rd quarter in which the Stampeders quickly score the first of four TD's in that quarter. To add insult to injury to this loss, this was the final game for Doug Flutie in a Lions uniform as along with Romano and Crysdale they join the divisional rival Stampeders.

For those of you who are wondering what Raymond Ethridge is up to these days, he's a Business Development Specialist in Chicago according to his LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raymond-ethridge-31852358

And while he listed that he was a professional football player for the Baltimore Ravens and San Diego Chargers, he decided not to list his time as a BC Lion even though most Lion fans will forever remember his single memorable play. Maybe he thinks that it may sound embarrassing to list that as long as he's living and working in America.

The 1991 Grey Cup game in its entirety, including the post-game interviews.



The interviews show two ex-Lions standing arm-in-arm: Matt Dunigan and David Williams. The two of them missed winning the Grey Cup three years earlier. Were any of them secretly glad that the two of them finally won it - albeit with a different team?

Despite winning the Grey Cup, the Argonauts decided not to re-sign Dunigan and he went on to sign for Winnipeg as a free agent in 1992. David Williams joined him in 1993 and both of them had another Grey Cup appearance.

Edmonton 36 at BC 37


While the Lions had a good 7-2 road record, it was very frustrating and disappointing that they had a losing 4-5 record at home. This was one of the rare home wins and would have easily lost this game as well had the Eskimo made the final field goal.