Add StudioX as a preferred source on GoogleThe B.C. Lions have advanced in the CFL playoffs, rallying from a 14-point deficit to beat the Saskatchewan Roughriders 33-26 in the West Division semifinal in Vancouver on Saturday, Global News Canada reports.
The Lions will visit the Edmonton Elks (13-5) in the West Division final on Nov. 7.
Down at halftime, then a turnaround
The Lions and the defending Grey Cup champion Riders both finished the regular season 10-8. B.C. hosted the game because it won the season series 2-1.
Saskatchewan took control in the second quarter. After a turnover on downs, the Riders drove 51 yards in six plays, and Tommy Stevens powered into the end zone. Saskatchewan went for two, and quarterback Trevor Harris hit Samuel Emilus to make it 17-3. It was the only touchdown the Riders scored.
Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke answered by scrambling out of the pocket and lofting a pass to an unmarked Stanley Berryhill, who scored. Sean Whyte’s convert made it 17-10, and B.C. trailed 17-13 at the half.
Head coach Buck Pierce, a former CFL quarterback, praised Rourke’s effort on the touchdown play. He said it energized both the crowd and the sideline.
Cottoy and Rourke lead the comeback
Receiver Jevon Cottoy said some players were discouraged at halftime. He pointed out, though, that the team trailed by only four points despite not playing its best football.
Pierce said he reminded the players they had been in tough spots before. “It’s a resilient group,” he said.
In the third quarter, Rourke hit Cottoy on a quick pass, and Cottoy sprinted 70 yards for a touchdown that tied the game 20-20. Saskatchewan’s Brett Lauther kicked his fifth field goal of the night. Rourke then found Cottoy again, steps from the end zone, and the Lions led 27-23 after three quarters.
The teams traded field goals in the fourth. Whyte’s 34-yard kick stretched B.C.’s lead to seven points midway through the quarter, and he added a 24-yarder with three minutes left. Lauther’s 44-yard field goal in the final two minutes made it 33-26.
Whyte missed a 49-yard attempt with 49 seconds left, giving Saskatchewan one more chance. The Riders stalled at B.C.’s 34-yard line.
Rourke completed 21 of 32 passes for 366 yards and three touchdowns. Harris threw for 309 yards with one interception. Rourke credited the defence for winning the game, saying it had been outstanding all year.
A season that started 1-5
The Lions began the season 1-5, then won nine of their next 10 games to earn a playoff berth. Rourke said the team had already shown it can climb out of a hole.
For Saskatchewan, the loss was a painful end to the season. Harris said coming up short hurts, and head coach Corey Mace said he was proud of how his players fought to the end. Defensive back Tevaughn Campbell said the emotion was visible in the locker room.
What’s next in the playoffs
Earlier on Saturday, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers beat the Toronto Argonauts 25-22 in the East semifinal. The Bombers will play the host Montreal Alouettes in the East final on Nov. 7.
Calgary hosts the Grey Cup on Nov. 15.
Source: Global News Canada
Harnaik Singh Rathor is the Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of StudioX News Canada, Canada's multilingual digital news network serving multilingual diaspora communities across Canada. With a background in media production, public relations, and multicultural communications, he founded StudioX Film and TV Corporation to bridge the gap between mainstream Canadian media and the country's diverse immigrant communities. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), RTDNA Canada, CPRS Vancouver, NEPMCC, and the Canadian Freelance Union (Unifor). Based in Surrey, British Columbia. | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harnaiksinghrathor/ | Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/harnaiksinghrathor | Email: editor@studioxnews.ca
