With Saturday’s 27-21 win over the Roughriders, the Lions clinched second place in their division and will face the Calgary Stampeders in the West semifinal on Nov. 1 in Vancouver<\/p>\n
Author of the article:<\/p>\n
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The Canadian Press<\/p>\n
Jeff DeDekker<\/p>\n
Published Oct 25, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 1\u00a0day ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 5 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n REGINA \u2014 After a dreadful start to the season, the B.C. Lions are heading into the CFL playoffs on a six-game winning streak following a 27-21 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders<\/a> on Saturday.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. 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Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n With the win, the Lions clinched second place in the West Division and a home playoff game. The victory improved B.C. to 11-7 and the Lions will now face the third-place Calgary Stampeders \u2014 who also finished with an 11-7 record \u2014 in the West semifinal on Nov. 1 in Vancouver.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who finished fourth in the West with a 10-8 mark, will crossover and travel to Montreal to play the 10-8 Alouettes in the East Division semifinal on Nov. 1.<\/p>\n The Lions limped out of the starting gate with a 1-3 mark and were 3-5 as the season headed into July. They turned their fortunes around in the second half of the schedule, going 8-2 and gaining momentum as the playoffs drew closer.<\/p>\n Quarterback Nathan Rourke feels the Lions were their own worst enemy early in the season.<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cI think the games that we lost, we feel like we were basically shooting ourselves in the foot. When we got out of our own way and started making a few more plays, good things happened for us,\u201d said Rourke, who finished 23 of 28 passing for 366 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve believed in ourselves since training camp. We believe in this team and believe in each other, and we\u2019ve just got to go out there and execute.\u201d<\/p>\n Although the Lions overcame an 18-10 deficit to win the game, a controversial play five minutes into the third quarter had a major impact on the final result.<\/p>\n On a second-and-10 play from the Saskatchewan 12-yard line, Rourke hit Keon Hatcher in the flat. As Hatcher neared the goal line, he was hit by Riders defensive back DeMarcus Fields and fumbled. Saskatchewan cornerback Tevaughn Campbell scooped up the ball and took it 107 yards to the end zone for a touchdown that would\u2019ve increased the Riders lead to 25-13.<\/p>\n Canucks Report<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n However, after the scoring play was reviewed by the CFL Command Centre, it was ruled that an official had whistled the play dead at the point of the fumble, negating the touchdown. Although the Riders regained possession of the ball, the momentum switched as the Lions forced a punt, which led to a Rourke touchdown pass on their next possession that gave the Lions a 19-18 lead.<\/p>\n Campbell was adamant that he didn\u2019t hear a whistle on the play.<\/p>\n \u201cNever. No. I feel like in the play, if I did hear a whistle there would have been a moment of indecision, like, \u2018Oh, do I need a run?\u2019 But it was just a clear recovery, pick up, scoop, run to the end zone.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t hear a whistle. I don\u2019t think anyone else heard a whistle, because people were still in pursuit. I don\u2019t really have much more to say about it. It was kind of just crazy,\u201d said Campbell.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n While there was still 20 minutes of game time left, Campbell believes the ruling had a major effect on the final outcome.<\/p>\n \u201cIt had a huge impact. I think it changed (the momentum) because we got the ball backed up instead of going back out on the field as a defence, having those seven points. But I think it changed the trajectory of the game just removing those points and you see what we lost by \u2014 six points. So yeah, definitely, it altered the outcome,\u201d said Campbell.<\/p>\n Lions defensive end Mathieu Betts wasn\u2019t about to apologize for his team catching a break on the play.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be honest, that\u2019s a big swing. My understanding is they blew the whistle. I\u2019m not sure exactly how everything happened, but for sure, that would have been bad for us. We had a little bit of luck, but yeah, good on us,\u201d said Betts.<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cThey got the ball deep, and we were able to stop them and get good field position for our offence and that\u2019s when we scored the second touchdown.\u201d<\/p>\n The Lions trailed 21-19 in the fourth quarter when quarterback Rourke led a six-play, 73-yard scoring drive that culminated with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Hatcher. A two-point convert was successful, with Rourke and Hatcher connecting again, to give the Lions a 27-21 lead with four minutes remaining.<\/p>\n Rourke entered the game with an opportunity to become the first Canadian quarterback to lead the league in passing yardage since Russ Jackson of the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1969. Rourke trailed Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell by 374 yards heading into the game. Rourke\u2019s 366 yards Saturday left him nine yards shy of eclipsing Mitchell\u2019s total.<\/p>\n Advertisement 7<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Rourke finished the season 352 of 500 passing for 5,290 yards with 31 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. When asked if those numbers are worthy of consideration for the league\u2019s Most Outstanding Player, Rourke refused to participate in that discussion.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not up for me to decide. I\u2019m more worried about being a Grey Cup champion, and that starts with winning next week against Calgary,\u201d said Rourke.<\/p>\n The Riders, who clinched first place in the West two weeks ago, are now off for a week before hosting the West final on Nov. 8.<\/p>\n Kian Schaffer-Baker, who had six catches for 69 yards, insisted the Riders need to stay the course heading into the post-season despite losing their final two regular-season games.<\/p>\n \u201cI think you don\u2019t change a thing. You just attack each and every single day, the same way that you\u2019ve been doing the entire time,\u201d said Schaffer-Baker.<\/p>\n Advertisement 8<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Saskatchewan starting quarterback Trevor Harris played three series before exiting midway through the second quarter. The Riders scored on all three possessions, collecting two rushing touchdowns from backup quarterback Jack Coan and a 28-yard field goal from kicker Michael Hughes, who was making his CFL debut.<\/p>\n Ayden Eberhardt had two touchdown receptions for the Lions. Kicker Sean Whyte had two field goals and punter Karl Meyer had a 73-yard single.<\/p>\n Coan scored two rushing touchdowns for the Riders while Hughes had two field goals and a single on a 90-yard kickoff.<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Canucks vs. Whitecaps and B.C. Lions ticket sales tell a story<\/p>\n![\"bc](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/20251024-cfl-04_299511224.jpg\")
B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke shows the ball during CFL regular season action at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 in Regina. Photo by KAYLE NEIS \/Regina Leader-PostArticle content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/19.8.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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B.C. Lions wide receiver Keon Hatcher runs the ball during CFL regular season action at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 in Regina. Photo by KAYLE NEIS \/Regina Leader-Post<\/p>\n![\"Canucks](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/hkn-flames-canucks-20251009_299218180-2.jpg\")
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