After taking the loss last week in Hamilton, the Saskatchewan Roughriders will look to bounce back with their second road game in as many weeks when they face the BC Lions on Sunday at 5:00 p.m.
The Roughriders held a lead through three quarters, but a night of sloppy football caught up to the green-and-white in the fourth quarter where they allowed 16 unanswered points to lose 26-19. Turnovers, short drives, and untimely penalties certainly aided the losing effort, but the Week 11 result has the team eager to get back on the field as evidenced by a redemption mentality on display at practice Wednesday.
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Road loss drops Riders to second place
The Roughriders let a lead slip away late on Saturday, the loss not only ending a short two-game win streak but dropping the Roughriders out first place in the CFL West Division.
Saskatchewan trailed 10-3 early but rallied to take a 13-10 lead into halftime, then added two more field goals from Alex Hale in the third quarter to build a 19-10 advantage heading into the final frame.
The Tiger-Cats came alive in the fourth, scoring 16 unanswered points to take the lead and eventually pull away. Turnovers also proved costly for Saskatchewan, with Trevor Harris throwing two interceptions, including a late pick that ended the Riders’ final opportunity to tie the game.
The loss snapped Saskatchewan’s two-game winning streak and as mentioned dropped them out of the West Division lead. Trailing behind the West Division leading Edmonton Elks at 7-3, the Roughriders enter Week 12 at 6-3 ahead of 5-4 Winnipeg, 4-6 Calgary, and this week’s opponent 4-5 BC.
Another day to dial in on the work! pic.twitter.com/GN6TK3msKD
— Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) August 19, 2026
Hungry Lions team winners of three straight
The Lions may be last in the division but boast mighty potential with three straight wins and quarterback Nathan Rourke back at the helm of the offense.
The Lions first game of the season was a 31-27 loss to the Roughriders, and then two more losses dropped BC’s early season record to 0-3. Rourke and company rebounded a week later for their first win against Edmonton, but then an injury to Rourke helped start off another two-game losing streak that moved the Lions record to 2-5.
BC returned to the win column at the end of July with backup QB Kaidon Salter starting behind centre and doing his job, helping the team win in time for Rourke to return here in August where the CFL”s Most Outstanding Player in 2025 has returned to form passing for 300+ yards in a pair of wins leading into Sunday’s divisional showdown versus Saskatchewan.
After this weekend’s matchup, the Roughriders and Lions will meet for a third time this season, a possible rubber match set for September 25th in Vancouver.
HAPPY GAME WEEK 🦁🍉
This Sunday August 23rd, your BC Lions take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders at 4PM on @saveonfoods Field at BC Place!
Secure your tickets here ➡️ https://t.co/moscHRCLjo pic.twitter.com/Hou6Z1Y34V
— BC LIONS (@BCLions) August 19, 2026
Roughriders aiming for bounce back effort
Both Roughriders head coach Corey Mace and starting quarterback Trevor Harris spoke with the media at practice on Wednesday to discuss rebounding from last week’s loss in Hamilton.
It’s a consensus around the Roughriders locker room that Saturday’s game was not their best effort, something head coach Corey Mace addressed to reporters.
“Always have tons of stuff to improve on. Record is irrelevant, really,” said Mace in the clip posted to Roughriders social media. “Please with where we are at, but eager to fix the things we need to fix and there are places all over… These guys know that and they are eager to get the fixes as well,” wrapped up coach before referencing there is still lots of season left to go with things past at the halfway point.
I’m pleased with where we’re at, just know I’m eager to fix the things that we need to fix.
Corey Mace spoke with the media following today’s practice about where we’re at on the season, and the team’s approach heading into the last half of the season.
— Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) August 20, 2026
Quarterback Trevor Harris had an uncharacteristic game in completing only 23/35 passes, and two interceptions to go along with a touchdown and 207 yards.
The leader of the offense says the latest hurdle isn’t anything the championship DNA group can’t handle.
“We have handled adversity well for the most part. Played well for the most part, our one-off game was (Hamilton), and I think that’s all it is,” said Harris. “I think we took a good, hard look at the film, and we’ll play better… We have a lot of equity built up in terms of how we have played, and how we respond to adversity no matter who our opponent is.”
Harris and company are hoping to have a short memory and turn their focus to what they do best.
“One rough game, but aside from that we have done enough to continue being in a position in the second half of the season where we control our own destiny,” continued QB1. “But we have to continue building and being the team we need to be. The best teams are always the ones that peak late and play their best football in the back half, and I think that’s exactly what we are going to do.”
Trevor Harris met with the media following today’s practice to talk about how the team handles adversity, the team’s preparation for the next opponents ahead, and what he expects out of himself and the rest of the team.
📺 https://t.co/MfhCu9hAQT pic.twitter.com/wOzTysPhV6
— Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) August 20, 2026
Injury situation improving into Sunday
Harris’ comments came as one of his favourite targets Samuel Emilus returned to practice on Wednesday.
Emilus was a full participant alongside defensive lineman Ali Saad, returner James Letcher Jr. and offensive linemen Zack Fry and Daniel Johnson. While they are showing progress, Emilus, Letcher, Saad are all still listed on the Roughriders 6-game injured list, Fry and Johnson on the 1-game.
Here’s the latest on the Riders ahead of this week’s matchup presented by @worksafesask. pic.twitter.com/kNS5GGAQiL
— Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) August 19, 2026
Other key Roughriders remaining on the injured list include defensive backs Tevaughn Campbell and Rolan Milligan Jr. on the 6-game list, receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker, and running back A.J. Oullette.
Sixteen Roughriders are listed on the injury report entering practice on Thursday.