On Thursday, the six-foot-three, 265-pound Johnson was named the CFL's outstanding defensive player and Canadian after registering 16 sacks to lead the league in that category for the second straight year. Johnson became the first player in league history to win both honours in the same year.

The 29-year-old native of Kingston, Ont., anchored a Lions defence that finished first in fewest yards allowed (299 per game) and sacks (59). B.C. also forced a league-high 61 turnovers (including CFL-best 36 interceptions) as it had the best takeaway-giveaway figure of plus 33, 23 more than second-place Calgary.

Then on Saturday, his alma mater, Ohio State University, beat arch-rival Michigan to remain ranked No. 1 in U.S. college football.

``It's fantastic,'' Johnson said. ``This week has really gone well.

``I think I'm going to go buy a lottery ticket.''

Despite his season of dominance, the Alouettes managed to keep Johnson from registering a sack on quarterback Anthony Calvillo. But Johnson's teammate did get to Calvillo three times and repeatedly pressured him into either throwing before ready or force him from the pocket.

And late in the fourth with Montreal on B.C.'s one-yard line trailing 25-12 with four minutes remaining, the Lions forced Als running back Robert Edwards to fumble, with B.C. linebacker Otis Floyd recovering to, for all intent and purpose, cement the win.

But Johnson said the Lions want to do more than just force turnovers.

``Really, the goal of this defence is to score and it always has been,'' Johnson said. ``We think of ourselves as an offensive defence.

``We either get the ball back to our offence as quick as possible or score a touchdown and we're not going to be happy unless that gets done.''

Johnson is in his sixth season with the Lions after signing with the club as a free agent in 2001. He's hopeful now that the club is of championship calibre, the front office will do what it can to ensure all the key cogs remain so B.C. can make more title runs.

``I'm so lucky to do it with the guys we did it with,'' he said. ``I just hope we can keep this team.

``I don't want it to end because we're such a good team. It's a pleasure to go on the field and play with these guys.''