First quarter problems have plagued the B.C. Place team \u2014 they’ve been outscored by a whopping 34 points in the opening stanza this season<\/p>\n
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Published Jul 26, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 4\u00a0days ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 3 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 The B.C. Lions have a punctuality problem.<\/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 The Lions (3-4) head into a Sunday visit to B.C. Place<\/a> by the Hamilton Tigers-Cats (4-2) having led just once after the first quarter this season, and having been outscored by 34 points in those opening frames so far in the campaign. They\u2019ve been outscored by 16 points in total to date.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n B.C. is coming off a 33-27 loss at home to the Saskatchewan Roughriders<\/a> last week that didn\u2019t feel as close as the scoreboard actually read. That\u2019s because Saskatchewan seemed to put it into cruise control after going up 17-1 in the first quarter. The Roughriders had a 10-0 cushion, in fact, before Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke had taken his third snap \u2014 B.C. went two-and-out on the opening drive and that was followed by a Saskatchewan touchdown, a B.C. turnover on a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and then a Roughrider field goal.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to score more touchdowns and especially early,\u201d Rourke said after practice Friday at the Lions\u2019 Surrey headquarters. \u201cWe need to give our defence a little more cushion there, a little more confidence.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAs an offence, our goal this week is to start fast, but it\u2019s going to be a challenge, because that\u2019s a very good defence we\u2019re playing.\u201d<\/p>\n Canucks Report<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n B.C. has been moving the ball. The Lions (404.7 yards per game) were third in the league in net offence average going into the week, trailing only the 5-2 Calgary Stampeders (406.3 yards per game) and the 5-1 Roughriders (405.7 yards per game).\u00a0<\/p>\n They aren\u2019t capitalizing enough on that success, though, to reiterate the earlier Rourke thought. The\u00a0 Lions (23.3 points per game) were eighth in the league in scoring going into the week. Only the 1-6 Ottawa Redblacks (21.1 points per game) were tallying less.\u00a0<\/p>\n There are clear reasons why. The Lions have a league-worst 19 turnovers on the season, and their minus-10 takeaway\/giveaway ratio is at the bottom of that category as well.<\/p>\n B.C. was \u00a0also seventh in the league in penalties (7.9 per game) and penalty yardage (73.3 per game) to start the week, and that included a league-worst 13 flags on special teams.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n It\u2019s a hard team to get a read on right now. Rourke is on a three-game streak of 300-yard passing games and can tie his longest run of such games as a Lion if he can hit the number again Sunday. The matchup with the Tiger-Cats will be his 40th as a Lion.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to first and foremost take care of the ball. We can\u2019t turn the ball over,\u201d explained Rourke, the 27-year-old pivot. \u201cSecondly, we have to keep out of second and long situations. I think we showed the second time when we played Edmonton (in a 32-14 road win on July 14) that when we\u2019re second and medium we can be very, very good. If we do that, we put ourselves in a good position.<\/p>\n \u201cUltimately, we have to score touchdowns.\u201d<\/p>\n B.C.\u2019s defence is looking to rally after being picked apart by Saskatchewan veteran quarterback Trevor Harris, who was 23-of-30 for 395 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception last week. Hamilton, who are winners of four straight, are led by another seasoned pivot in Bo Levi Mitchell.\u00a0<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Mitchell, 35, has been so good this season that Pat Steinberg at CFL.ca was pegging him the early favourite for Most Outstanding Player honours on Friday<\/a>. Mitchell came into the week leading the league in passing yards (1,812) and touchdowns (12), with just two interceptions.<\/p>\n Hamilton receiver Kenny Lawler led with touchdown receptions (eight), which puts him on pace to better Milt Stegall\u2019s CFL 2002 record of 23 by one. Lawler was tops in the CFL in yards receiving (644) starting this week as well.<\/p>\n B.C. defensive lineman Mathieu Betts talked Friday about the Lions\u2019 troubles being tied to execution.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s about playing together,\u201d Betts continued. \u201cI\u2019m speaking for the D-line and the defence, but it\u2019s the same thing with special teams, same thing with the offence. It\u2019s a hard thing to do, but when 12 players play together and do their assignments together, that\u2019s when we will be dangerous. We just need to do that, starting with play No. 1 on Sunday, and keep it up for three hours and we\u2019ll be happy with the result.\u201d<\/p>\n @SteveEwen<\/p>\n SEwen@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Roughriders 33, Lions 27: Saskatchewan offence strikes early and often to thump B.C.<\/p>\n![\"nathan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/may-11-main-camp-brian-johnson-nathan-rourke_295551555-e1749245325365.jpg\")
A strong first quarter Sunday will surely bring smiles to B.C. Lions like Nathan Rourke. considering how much t they’ve struggled early in games to date. Photo by Brian JohnsonArticle content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/19.1.5\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris, right, passes over B.C. Lions\u2019 Tomasi Laulile during CFL game, in Vancouver, on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Photo by DARRYL DYCK \/THE CANADIAN PRESS<\/p>\n![\"Saskatchewan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753968258_741_cp174778600_297772115.jpg\")
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