{"id":734673,"date":"2026-06-13T18:14:10","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T18:14:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/734673\/"},"modified":"2026-06-13T18:14:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-13T18:14:10","slug":"riders-host-lions-as-both-teams-play-first-game-of-2026-cfl-season-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/734673\/","title":{"rendered":"Riders host Lions as both teams play first game of 2026 CFL season"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s a rematch of the 2025 CFL West Final<\/a> as the Saskatchewan Roughriders and B.C. Lions both open their seasons on Saturday.<\/p>\n

The two clubs both had Week 1 byes, so now their campaigns get underway at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3 p.m.<\/a><\/p>\n

Read more:<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a long wait for the Riders, who played in their final pre-season game on May 23.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s about that time (to play a game). We understand the process of it all and we are doing our due diligence, but I think everybody \u2014 and I assume the other team as well \u2014 are at the same point where it\u2019s like, \u2018come on, let\u2019s do this thing,\u2019\u201d Riders head coach Corey Mace<\/a> said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think everyone is excited to get after it for the first time.\u201d<\/p>\n

There has been a lot of recent history between the two clubs as the Riders ended the Lions\u2019 season at Mosaic Stadium to punch their ticket to the Grey Cup.<\/p>\n

Saskatchewan also won the regular-season series 2-1, with the only loss coming in the final week as the Riders rested a number of starters in the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if we can call it a rivalry. They are our next opponent, so I hate them the most. Kudos to some former teammates I\u2019ve had over there in college,\u201d said running back A.J. Ouellette<\/a>, who was teammates with Lions\u2019 quarterback Nathan Rourke at Ohio University.<\/p>\n

A lot of eyes will be on Rourke and the high-powered Lions offence to start the season. Rourke was named the CFL\u2019s Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian after a 2025 campaign that saw him pass for 5,290 yards and 31 touchdowns while adding 564 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are mobile quarterbacks out there who don\u2019t make the throws as well and I think he does both well,\u201d said defensive end James Vaughters<\/a>, who was one of the veterans the Riders brought in during free agency.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re looking forward to limiting him as much as we can and affecting him as much as we can. That\u2019s our job as a D-line.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another new face on defence is linebacker Josh Woods<\/a>, who had spent five seasons with the Lions.<\/p>\n

Mace, who has now handed the defensive co-ordinator title to Josh Bell, admits this is an exciting matchup for defensive-minded coaches.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think every offence kind of brings something unique you get excited about from a defensive standpoint. Certainly Nathan Rourke coached by Buck Pierce, there is a lot of cool elements,\u201d Mace said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to be on it. We will see where we stand and how we feel with where we are at a defence. There\u2019s a few other elements to it. There\u2019s a different defence that is going to be presented out there. It\u2019s not a Corey Mace defence as everyone says. This is Bell and company, and it\u2019s going to be exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n

On offence, the Riders will once again be led by quarterback Trevor Harris,<\/a> who is coming off one of the best seasons of his CFL career. He threw for 4,549 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.<\/p>\n

Now on Saturday, he will get back to doing what he loves.<\/p>\n

\u201cI get to play football. That\u2019s something that I think is one of my super powers is I just like to play ball. I like to be the quarterback, I like to lead and I like to be a part of something bigger than myself and that\u2019s a candle that burns bright no matter what,\u201d Harris, 40, said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo more evidence of that when we won the Grey Cup and I didn\u2019t really change how I felt about my career up to this point. I just like to play ball.\u201d<\/p>\n

He will have most of his weapons back from last season as KeeSean Johnson, Sam Emilus, Kian Schaffer-Baker and Dhel Duncan-Busby will all be back for another season with the Riders. The only new weapon joining the group this season is wide receiver Jaylen Johnson, who won a starting job after training camp and two preseason games.<\/p>\n

Saturday\u2019s game will see the team unveil the 2025 championship banner and will also be the first game fans can legally tailgate at.<\/p>\n

Harris is ready to get back playing in front of the Rider faithful once again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m grateful we were able to have a championship brought to these people but at the same time, if we just bring one, I don\u2019t think we did them justice,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s on us to make sure we continue to raise the bar and continue to get better because that\u2019s what this fan base deserves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

(Saskatchewan Roughriders\/Submitted)<\/p>\n

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