VANCOUVER 鈥� A fresh face has been gracing the 小蓝视频 Lions' highlight reels in recent weeks.
Midway through his second CFL campaign, wide receiver Ayden Eberhardt has contributed touchdowns in two consecutive games.
The 26-year-old wide receiver from Loveland, Colo., was the lone 小蓝视频 player to reel in a passing major in his team's 37-23 victory over the league-leading Montreal Alouettes last Friday. The week before, he notched his first CFL touchdown in the Lions' win over the Ottawa Redblacks.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been awesome. It鈥檚 been really good," Eberhardt said of his recent play. "At the end of the day, the biggest stat to me is if we win. But who doesn鈥檛 love scoring?鈥�
He'll look to add to the tally Friday when the Leos (7-6) host the Toronto Argonauts.
Eberhardt signed with 小蓝视频 as a free agent in January 2023 and spent much of last season on the practice squad before cementing a role on the roster this year.
The six-foot-two, 195-pound University of Wyoming product has earned more opportunities in his second season, said Lions' head coach and co-general manager Rick Campbell.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a super hard worker and very smart. He understands, has high football IQ, as we call it," Campbell said.
The fact that Eberhardt can play virtually every receiving position helps.
鈥淗e could literally go into a game and we could throw him into a spot and he鈥檇 know exactly what he鈥檚 doing," the coach said. "That allows him to play fast and earn the quarterback's trust. And you see him making plays.鈥�
Eberhardt credited his teammates, coaches and the rest of the Lions' staff with helping him prepare for any situation he might face. They've all spent time teaching him the ins and outs of the Canadian game, or go over the playbook and run routes after practice, he said.
鈥淚鈥檝e played every single position on our offence in a game in the last two years, which is kind of crazy. But I love playing football," he said. "I want to play any position that the team needs me to play.鈥�
While 小蓝视频's lineup is studded with stars like running back William Stanback 鈥� who has a CFL-high 938 rushing yards 鈥� and wide receiver Justin McInnis 鈥� who leads the league in both receiving yards (1,074) and receiving TDs (seven) 鈥� versatility has been a critical part of the team's back-to-back wins.
鈥淚 think we鈥檝e got a lot of talented guys who deserve to get the ball and make big plays when they have the ball in their hands. So it鈥檚 really my job to get them the ball as much as possible," said quarterback Nathan Rourke.
"I think that makes it easy when you can lean on those guys and, really, we鈥檙e in a situation where anyone can have a big game. And I think that鈥檚 a good place to be.鈥�
Even with a talented lineup, the Lions face a tough test against an eager Argos side.
Toronto lost its second straight game Saturday when it dropped a 41-27 decision to Ottawa.
"We鈥檒l have our hands full," Rourke said. "We鈥檒l have to adjust on the fly to whatever their game plan is. And no doubt, they鈥檒l be ready to go so we鈥檒l have to be as well.鈥�
The two sides have already met once this season when the Argos handed the Lions a 35-27 loss in Toronto back on June 9.
A win on Friday would vault 小蓝视频 to the top of the West Division standings, over the 7-6 Winnipeg Blue Bombers who are on a bye week.
Collecting that victory isn't assured, though, even with Toronto coming in on a two-game skid, Campbell said.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e hit a little bit of a rut, but they鈥檙e a really good team," he said. "They鈥檙e very athletic. And you can really see (quarterback Chad Kelly鈥檚) got zip on the ball. When you see him in there, he can make all the throws. So we鈥檙e expecting their best shot."
TORONTO ARGONAUTS (6-6) AT 小蓝视频 LIONS (7-6)
Friday, 小蓝视频 Place
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: The Lions boast a 4-1 home record this season, including a 38-12 victory over the Redblacks at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, 小蓝视频, on Aug. 31. The Argos have struggled outside of BMO Field and hold a 1-5 away record. Trips to the West Coast haven't been easy for Toronto in recent years 鈥� since 2003, the club is 4-14 in road games against 小蓝视频
CENTURION: 小蓝视频 defensive back Garry Peters is set to appear in his 100th consecutive game. The 32-year-old from Conyers, Ga., is a two-time CFL all-star who has amassed 381 defensive tackles, 19 special teams tackles and 16 interceptions over seven seasons. "Just being on the field with the guys every day, running around, talking trash back and forth, it keeps me young," Peters said. "It makes me feel good, and my body doesn't really feel it. I've been blessed to be able to play 100 straight."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.
Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
