THE MOJ: B.C. Lions make statement with big win over Calgary

THE MOJ: B.C. Lions make statement with big win over Calgary

Published 10:24 am Tuesday, August 18, 2026

LET’S MAKE A STATEMENT: B.C.’s 30-26 win in Calgary, coupled with the Saskatchewan Roughriders 26-19 loss in Hamilton, has suddenly tightened the standings in the CFL’s West Division. Edmonton is in first place with a 7-3 record with the Riders next at 6-3. Winnipeg is in third with a 5-4 mark followed by B.C. at 4-5 and Calgary at 4-6. A win by the Lions and they pull to within a game of the Riders while a loss puts them at three back with only eight games left to play. It’s another big game for the Lions but they continue to stack wins and another ‘w’ this week will make the West even tighter. Some are calling it a ‘statement game’ for the Lions when it comes to being a Grey Cup contender and they are not wrong.

GOOD BUT NOT ELITE: The Lions defence has been impressive the last month or so and has kept this team in games while the offence has tried to find its rhythm. There has even been some discussion if Mike Benevides’s unit is the CFL’s best which isn’t too far of a reach if you look at some of the numbers. My biggest qualm has been the lack of impact plays such as sacks and turnovers which the Lions ranked eighth (13) and ninth (eight) respectively going into the game against the Stampeders. However, they did manage two sacks and a game-saving interception by veteran T.J. Lee against Calgary. If the Lions can get more of these impact plays to change momentum and give the offense some short fields, then I’ll upgrade them from good to elite.

A SUCCESFUL HUNT FOR A TACKLE: One of the feel-good stories of the 2026 Lions season has to be tackle Tyran Walker-Hunt. The Old Dominion product signed with the Lions as a free agent prior to last season and spent the entire year on the practice roster. Hunt got his opportunity this year after the release of Dejon Allen and a season-ending injury to Joshua Donovan and he has fared well as the starter. At six-foot-six and 310 pounds, Hunt had the raw athletic ability but a year on the PR allowed him to hone his skills to the point where he could be an interesting piece moving forward for the Lions. Even better, the affable Hunt is one of those guys that is easy to root for.

BRIGANCE PASSES: The Lions mourned the passing of O.J. Brigance on Aug. 17 at the age of 56. Brigance began his pro career with the Lions in 1991 and played three years for B.C. – including a 20-sack season in 1993 – before signing with the Baltimore Stallions. It was in Baltimore that Brigance won a Grey Cup in 1995 and a Super Bowl with the Ravens in 2000 to become one of a select few to accomplish that feat before retiring in 2002. He is also the only individual to win a Grey Cup and Super Bowl for the same city. In 2007, he was diagnosed with ALS, and while most succumb to the disease within two to five years, Brigance battled ALS courageously for almost twenty years with dignity and class. We had the opportunity to reacquaint ourselves at the Super Bowl on a couple of occasions and Brigance never forgot where he got his start in pro football and the people and country that helped him.

PACK YOUR BAGS: After the game against the Riders on Sunday at BC Place (4 p.m., TSN 1040; 730 CKNW; Sher-E- Punjab Radio AM 600) the Lions will play in Ottawa on Sunday, Aug. 30 and then spend the week in the nation’s capital before going to Montreal to begin a home-and-home with the Alouettes on Sept. 4.

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