Lulay spreads wealth around
By HOSEA CHEUNG, QMI Agency
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 Lions quarterback Travis Lulay scrambles during the CFL's 99th Grey Cup game at BC Place in Vancouver, B.C., Nov. 27, 2011. (AL CHAREST/QMI Agency)


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VANCUOVER - It's been an advantage for Travis Lulay for much of the past few months.
With an abundance of options to pass to, the B.C. Lions quarterback has been able to spread out his offence and open up the field.
Against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, he couldn't have done it any better.
Facing one of the league's top defences Sunday in the Grey Cup, Lulay managed to throw the ball to nine different receivers. He found eight of them before he even completed a pass to star receiver Arland Bruce.
The pivot, who finished with 320 passing yards, stressed just how important it was to utilize all his offensive weapons.
"You're playing a good secondary and you got to be able take what they give you. You can't force stuff or they'll take advantage," Lulay said. "It could have been a lot different in the first half if a couple throws were two inches different than they were."
In the end, his top targets -- Bruce and slotback Geroy Simon -- finished with the most catches, five and four respectively. But it was his pass to rookie Kierrie Johnson that turned out to be the longest one on the night.
"You're talking about big time right?" Lulay said of the 66-yarder. "He was on the back side of the field and guys were saying, 'Take a peak at KJ if you're in tight coverage, he's got a little waggle down hill.' Sure enough, next time I looked at him I let it go."
Johnson, who finished with two catches for 81 yards, was ecstatic afterwards, raving about his first ever CFL touchdown.
"I was productive in the game, so we needed that energy when I caught it," the 23-year-old said. "Once that happened, the game was over."