Jennings chases 5,000 yards

Photo: The Canadian Press

Jonathon Jennings's statistics over his first 18 career Canadian Football League games compare favourably with some of the best quarterbacks in the league.

The B.C. quarterback will continue to chase the elite 5,000 throwing-yard plateau on Saturday when his Lions host the Ottawa Redblacks.

Over the course of the last two years — 18 starts or a full CFL schedule — the 24-year-old has thrown for 5,060 yards and completed 65.8 per cent of his attempts, with 30 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Jennings says that his combined numbers over the last two seasons represent an accurate measuring stick on his development. In 12 games this season, he's thrown for 3,308 yards with six games remaining in his attempt for the 5,000-yard mark.

"I'm progressing," said Jennings. "It's nice to know I have a base in what I've done and that I can play this game. It's pretty cool."

Travis Lulay, who was relegated to be the backup quarterback behind Jennings, has not yet thrown for 5,000 yards in his Lions career. It took Khari Jones, the Lions' offensive coordinator, five seasons before he achieved the mark while playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Calgary's Bo Levi Mitchell and Mike Reilly of Edmonton have yet to throw for 5,000 yards in a season, though both quarterbacks are on pace to do so this year. Toronto's Ricky Ray took three seasons to hit the 5,000 mark when he played in Edmonton. Ottawa backup Henry Burris took nine seasons.

If Jennings does reach the 5,000-yard mark this season, he would become only the fourth B.C. quarterback in franchise history to reach that plateau, joining Doug Flutie, Dave Dickenson and Casey Printers.