SURREY, B.C. -- Stephen Adekolu and Bryan Burnham are close friends off the field, so its probably fitting their careers have followed similar paths. Both experienced injuries in university that affected their ability to catch on with professional teams, both had to fight for spots on the practice roster with the B.C. Lions, and both are now getting their chance to play because of injuries. Its something the rookie receivers could only dream of back in training camp. "When we first started I remember guys lockers clearing out," Adekolu said after practice Wednesday. "If you really looked at me and Burnham, its no secret that we were the bottom two that had to fight our way up and beat out a lot of guys. Thats what we both did." The 25-year-old Adekolu and the 24-year-old Burnham were happy to work with the scout team and said running opponents plays against the CFLs No. 1 defence in practice for the first 12 weeks of the season did a lot for their confidence. "We would make small bets or joke around on who would get the most yards on our first-team defence," said Adekolu, a native of Brampton, Ont. "We were like: If thats the best defence and we give them a good look, we could go out and play." And thats exactly what they did last week when both dressed for their first pro games in a 40-23 home loss to the Toronto Argonauts. Adekolu watched mostly from the sidelines, but Burnham wound up as the Lions second-leading receiver with five catches for 90 yards and a touchdown in place of Courtney Taylor, who has a foot injury and is likely lost for the season. "Ive always stayed ready. Those older guys have really helped me stay mentally in it and always ready for when they called my number," said Burnham, who grew up in Moorestown, N.J. "I definitely didnt think it was going to come this quick. You never want to see someone get hurt. "You never wish for that, but when it does come youve got to be ready for it because thats football." Lions head coach Mike Benevides said both players have earned their chance, adding that Adekolu will see time on offence this week against the Calgary Stampeders. "(Burnham) performed at a high level during the (Toronto game) and I think theres a high level of confidence of what he can bring," said Benevides. "With Stephen, hes preformed throughout the entire season in practice. He had a strong pre-season and its time to see what he can bring to the table as a fifth guy and a rotational-type of person." Burnham played at the University of Tulsa in the NCAA, while Adekolu spent five CIS seasons at Bishops University. Each suffered knee injuries late in their college careers, which meant they had to work even harder to get a chance at the next level. Adekolu went to rookie camp with the Montreal Alouettes last season but experienced tendinitis before returning to Bishops, while Burnhams last game with Tulsa was the 2012 season opener when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament. Both signed with the Lions this winter and have climbed the depth chart much quicker than expected. "I think the biggest thing and the best thing is that the young guys are willing to take coaching," said quarterback Kevin Glenn. "Theyre very good character guys. Theyre humble and theyre really just out there wanting to help the team." That attitude has resonated with teammates, who can often sense when a player is unhappy with a situation. "I like to try to come to practice everyday with the same attitude. Im out here having a great time. I love being here," said Burnham. "I think if you come out here and start to be too serious when things are going wrong, thats when things start to split and you see guys start to change their demeanour." Part of Burnhams even-keel approach comes from his father Lem, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles in the late 1970s before becoming a psychologist. "He always just stayed on me about being patient and managing my stress and being anxious to get out there -- youve got to manage that or its going to tear you apart," said Burnham, whose sister works in the Lions front office and suggested he try out after NFL teams passed. "Its something I really worked at ... he always gives me little mental exercises. "He always said for the longest time: Ive been there." The Lions (7-5) visit the Calgary Stampeders (10-2) on Saturday as they continue to battle for playoff positioning in the West Division. Apart from Taylors ailment, the door has been opened for Burnham and Adekolu because of injuries to return man Tim Brown and defensive back Dante Marsh. B.C. handed Calgary its only home defeat of the season in a 25-24 decision back on Aug. 1, and Glenn said the Lions can take some positives from that game even though theres been a lot of personnel changes on both sides. "The biggest thing I think is we came back from being 11 points down in the second half," said the veteran pivot. "We never quit. Thats a big thing." Adekolu and Burnham also havent quit, and both are excited to step on the field together in a game situation. They also know if they dont perform, theres a hungry recruit just like them waiting to jump up and snatch their spot. "You always keep the mentality that when you get your chance either someones not doing their job or someone got hurt," said Adekolu. "Football is youre taking someones job or youre playing well enough to get a job. I want to step in and show that I can do the job theyre expecting." Michael Carter-Williams Jersey . "It was awesome," he said. Coming off an ugly three-game sweep at the hands of the Yankees, Toronto found itself in a deep hole early after the Reds put an eight spot up on starter Liam Hendriks (six runs in 1 2/3 innings pitched) and Todd Redmond in the second. Nicolas Batum Jersey . His fellow Finn, 21 years his junior, had just arrived in Anaheim and was hoping to stick with the Ducks. http://www.hornetsteamproshop.com/Cheap-...s-Jersey/.Brady threw a 69-yard touchdown pass to Julian Edelman midway through the fourth quarter, and New England beat the San Diego Chargers 23-14 for its eighth win in nine games. Dwight Howard Jersey . Duhamel, from Lively, Ont., and Radford, from Balmertown, Ont., were third with 210.84 points. Teammates Kirsten Moore-Towers of St. Catharines, Ont., and Dylan Moscovitch of Toronto were fourth. Duhamel and Radford, who were seventh at the Sochi Olympics, also won bronze at last years world championships in London, Ont. Marvin Williams Jersey .C. -- Carter Ashton had a pair of goals and added an assist as the Toronto Marlies downed the Charlotte Checkers 5-2 on Saturday in the American Hockey League. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Pedro Alvarezs first homer in almost three weeks helped the Pittsburgh Pirates improve to .500 for just the second time in more than two months. The slumping 2013 co-NL home run champion backed Edinson Volquezs pitching with a three-run shot, keying an 8-1 victory over the sputtering Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night. "It always helps, obviously, when I can contribute to a team victory," said Alvarez, whos hitting .232 with 12 homers and 38 RBIs. "Ive always said sometimes results arent indicative of how you may feel at the plate, and I feel like Im a good place," the slugger added. "Im just going to continue to work." Andrew McCutchen went 3 for 5, drove in two runs and stole two bases for the Pirates in a homecoming of sorts for last years NL MVP, who grew up in nearby Fort Meade and had never played before at Tropicana Field. He also scored twice in Pittsburghs first appearance in St. Petersburg since 2003. Alvarez, who hadnt homered since June 3, went deep off Alex Cobb (2-6) during a four-run fourth inning that also featured the first of McCutchens two RBI singles. The first-pitch, 419-foot drive over the wall in centre field snapped a season-high 16-game stretch without a homer -- Alvarezs longest since a 22-game drought that began in September 2012 and extended into last season. "A lot of times people have been taking their chances with Pedro, and hes an important part of our offence," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "We need him to fire, we need him to drive in runs and that was very good to see. Three-run homers always play well." Volquez (5-6) allowed five hits in a season-high eight innings. James Loney drove in Tampa Bays only run with a two-out, first-inning single, and the Pirates supported their starting pitcher by turning three double plays. "I got a lot of help," Volquez said. The Pirates climbed to .500 (38-38) for just the second timme since April 17, when they were 8-8.dddddddddddd They have won four of five following a three-game skid and are a NL-best 26-18 since May 6. Tampa Bay has dropped 19 of its past 27 and is saddled with the worst record in the major leagues at 31-47. "I feel like with every loss its an opportunity missed," Cobb said, adding if the Rays are going to turn their season around theyve got to get on a roll soon. McCutchen, who is batting .366 in June, boosted his average in 11 interleague games to .425 with nine walks, four doubles and seven RBIs. His run-scoring single off Cobb moved him ahead of Brian Giles for the Pirates career record for RBIs in interleague action with 52. He added another in the ninth off Kirby Yates. Alvarez, meanwhile, is hitting .317 with two home runs and eight RBIs against AL teams this season. Cobb, making his seventh start since spending five weeks on the disabled list with a left oblique strain, allowed six runs and six hits in five innings. Volquez won for the third time in his last five starts. The right-hander walked two, struck out one and didnt allow a hit after the fourth inning. Three of Tampa Bays six hits were infield singles, including Kevin Kiermaiers second-inning bunt. Jeanmar Gomez pitched the ninth for the Pirates, yielding a two-out single to Loney. NOTES: Pirates OF Starling Marte was back in the lineup after missing two games tending to a personal matter at home in the Dominican Republic. ... Pittsburgh RHP Gerrit Cole (right shoulder fatigue) threw 83 pitches over six innings in a simulated game and could rejoin the rotation this weekend. ... Pirates 2B Neil Walker (appendectomy) is expected to be reinstated from the DL Tuesday. ... The Rays havent announced if RHP Jeremy Hellickson (elbow) will need one more minor league start before returning. .. 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