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2025 GREY CUP PLAYOFFS\u00bb Buy Western Semi-Final Tickets: Winnipeg at Montreal<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a03 storylines to watch in the Eastern Semi-Final<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Weekly Predictor: Who wins the Division Semi-Finals?<\/a>
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OLD HOME, NEW MISSION<\/p>\n
WHAT A CATCH! \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n
Vernon Adams Jr. launches it to Erik Brooks!#CFLGameday<\/a> \u2014 CFL (@CFL) October 5, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s impossible to talk about this matchup without mentioning Vernon Adams Jr. and his return to BC Place, the building where he became one of the CFL\u2019s most electrifying players.<\/p>\n Adams Jr. spent the last two seasons leading the Lions, delivering highlight after highlight and helping re-establish BC as one of the league\u2019s premier offences. But for all the excitement he brought to the Lower Mainland, the ultimate prize eluded him. Now wearing Red and White, Adams Jr. comes back to Vancouver with a chance to end BC\u2019s season and push his new team one step closer to the 112th Grey Cup.<\/p>\n After a strong finish to 2025, Adams Jr. looks comfortable in Dave Dickenson\u2019s offence, completing 73.7 per cent of his passes during Calgary\u2019s three-game win streak to close the regular season. He\u2019s benefitted from the balanced attack provided by running back Dedrick Mills<\/a>, but he\u2019ll face a fierce pass rush led by Mathieu Betts<\/a>, the league\u2019s sack leader with 15. It\u2019s also a return to Vancouver for receiver Dominique Rhymes, who had the best season of his career with BC in 2022, catching 85 passes for 1,401 yards and 11 majors.<\/p>\n Can the former Lions find a little playoff redemption on their old home turf? Or will BC\u2019s defence make sure his return is a short one?<\/p>\n THE LIONS\u2019 NEXT STEP<\/p>\n HISTORY MADE! \ud83d\ude4c<\/p>\n With this 33-yard pass, Nathan Rourke has set the single-season record for the most passing yards by a Canadian! #CFLGameday<\/a> \u2014 CFL (@CFL) September 20, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n The BC Lions have been one of the CFL\u2019s most consistent teams over the past few seasons, but playoff success has been harder to come by. Despite posting double-digit win totals in 2022, 2023 and 2025, they\u2019ve fallen short of the Grey Cup each time.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s group believes it\u2019s different. Led by Nathan Rourke<\/a>, who enjoyed a career season, and receiving-yard leader Keon Hatcher Sr., BC boasts an offence capable of striking from anywhere on the field. Rourke finished among the league\u2019s top passers once again, throwing for over 5,290 yards and 31 touchdowns while maintaining one of the highest completion rates in the CFL. The pivot also added 564 yards and 10 majors as a runner.<\/p>\n The Lions\u2019 challenge will be to protect their quarterback against Calgary\u2019s aggressive front seven, led by defensive lineman Clarence Hicks<\/a>, who finished with 12 sacks. Adrian Greene<\/a> and the Stampeders\u2019 secondary have also shown a knack for taking the ball away late in games, something BC must avoid in a tight playoff matchup.<\/p>\n A win on Saturday would send BC to its third Western Final in four years, but this time, they\u2019re determined to finish the job. Calgary, meanwhile, is looking to return to the Western Final for the first time since 2018, when they won the 106th Grey Cup.<\/p>\n DAVE DICKENSON VS. BUCK PIERCE: EXPERIENCE MEETS INNOVATION Head coach Buck Pierce led the Lions to an 11-7 record in his first year in BC (Jimmy Jeong\/CFL.ca)<\/p>\n On the sidelines, Saturday\u2019s game also features an intriguing coaching matchup between Dave Dickenson and Buck Pierce.<\/p>\n Dave Dickenson, one of the league\u2019s most respected minds, has guided Calgary through multiple playoff runs and a Grey Cup championship as head coach (and one more as a coordinator). He\u2019s seen nearly every possible game situation in his nine seasons leading the Stamps, and his calm, strategic approach remains a steadying influence on his team.<\/p>\n Across the field, Buck Pierce steps into his first playoff game as a head coach after taking the reins in BC this season. The former Lions quarterback and Blue Bombers offensive coordinator has already earned praise for his innovative offensive schemes and ability to adapt in-game. His instant synergy with both Rourke and the Lions\u2019 offensive personnel gives BC a strong tactical edge.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a fascinating contrast: the experienced field general versus the rookie head coach who has the full confidence of his locker room. Whichever sideline manages the moment better could very well determine who advances to face the Saskatchewan Roughriders in next week\u2019s Western Final.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udcc5: @calstampeders<\/a> vs. Lions LIVE NOW
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\ud83d\udcc6: @BCLions<\/a> vs. Stamps LIVE NOW
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