EDMONTON - Jason Tucker wasn't officially in the lineup for Edmonton's 35-24 come from behind victory over the British Columbia Lions on Thursday night, but the injured receiver still made an impact.
Tucker, who had season-ending spinal surgery on Saturday after a hit in Hamilton last Friday, was able to walk into the Eskimos dressing room before the game and give his team a much-needed boost after a week of worry.
''It's been an emotional week for this team,'' said Edmonton head coach Danny Maciocia. ''It was extremely inspirational to have him here before the game so soon after the surgery. We played really hard tonight. It wasn't always easy but we found a way to win it. Good football teams find a way to win.''
Ricky Ray, who scored two touchdowns himself and passed for two more and a total of 392 yards, said that the Eskimos seem to be finding those victories these days in situations they likely would have lost games the last couple season.
''This year we are winning some of the close games,'' he said. ''I think it just shows the leadership we have on the football team and the belief we have in one another. We are a better football team, bottom line. We don't beat ourselves and in years past we probably have a little bit. When you have all three phases of the game playing well you are probably going to come out on top.''
The victory put the Eskimos into sole possession of second place in the CFL's West Division at 4-2.
The Lions (3-3) had a three-game winning streak snapped and remained in a tie for third in the West with Calgary.
''Offensively we got away a little bit from what worked for us in the first half,'' said Lions quarterback Jarious Jackson. ''We just weren't making the plays we should have made. We had drives that were going and then we had dropped balls or bobbled snaps. What could go wrong went wrong for us in the second half.''
The Eskimos opened strong, marching the ball 90 yards on their first possession to take an early 7-0 lead as Ray capped off the opening drive with a one-yard quarterback keeper.
B.C. bounced back with scoring plays on its next two drives. After Paul McCallum booted a 29-yard field goal, the Lions' Jackson connection converted, with Jarious Jackson finding Paris Jackson on a 12-yard touchdown toss into the corner of the end zone. The Lions led 10-7 after the first quarter.
Edmonton responded with a Noel Prefontaine field goal early in the second, and appeared to catch a break with six minutes remaining when the Lions moved into scoring position, only to see Clarence Coleman fumble near the Eskimos goal-line. Edmonton cornerback Jason Goss picked it up - and promptly fumbled it right back.
The Lions retrieved the ball at the Edmonton 10 and punched it in the next play as Jarious Jackson called his own number and took a big hit to punch it into the end zone. McCallum added a last-second 17-yard field goal to put B.C. up 20-10 at the half.
The Lions added to their lead with a field goal and a single early in the third, and were looking for more as McCallum faked a punt and passed for a first down. Edmonton stopped the drive two plays later as Bradley Robinson intercepted a Jackson pass and brought it back 30 yards, just shy of mid-field.
After a tremendous catch in triple-coverage by Kamau Peterson, Ray sent a long 45-yard touchdown pass to Fred Stamps to cut the Lions' lead to 24-17.
The Esks kept the momentum and tied the game just 14 seconds into the fourth as Ray found Andrew Nowacki wide open in the end zone on a 19-yard pass. A Prefontaine 42-yard field goal with seven minutes left put Edmonton back in front.
The Eskimos picked up some insurance points with two minutes to play, as Ray's one-yard plunge capped another impressive drive. Edmonton added a late single to complete the scoring.
Thursday's game was the first of a home-and-home series, with the two teams playing the rematch Aug. 8 in Vancouver.
Notes: B.C. was without the services of star receiver Geroy Simon, out with an injured hamstring. It was the first game he has missed since the 2002 season. Taking his place at slotback was Kahlil Hill. ... The Lions had won their five previous games against the Eskimos, including all three contests last season. ... Edmonton fans gave a standing ovation at the beginning of the game Tucker. ... All of the Eskimos receivers were wearing Tucker's No. 83 under their jerseys and would flash the number after big catches. ... Thursday's win was Edmonton's third game in the last 12 days.