3 keys to victory for Saskatchewan, BC in the Western Semi-Final presented by Wegovy®
Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca
Player in black uniform runs with football past player in white and green uniform.
VANCOUVER — The Saskatchewan Roughriders visit the BC Lions on Saturday afternoon for the right to take on the Edmonton Elks in next week’s Western Final presented by Wegovy®.
Saskatchewan won consecutive games to close out the regular season.
BC rallied from a 1-5 start to finish with a 10-8 record.
The Lions took the season series 2-1, with victories in Weeks 12 and 17. The Roughriders' only win came back in Week 2.
The Riders ended the Lions’ season in the playoffs in 2024 and 2025.
Here’s three keys to victory for both teams ahead of the Western Semi-Final presented by Wegovy's 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff, which can be watched on TSN and RDS in Canada, as well as on CFL+ in the U.S. and internationally.
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SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
1. MOVING THE BALL THROUGH THE AIR
Saskatchewan needed only 16 points in each of their last two games to find the win column, but that offensive output likely won’t be enough against BC’s explosive offence. Quarterback Trevor Harris has enjoyed facing the Lions, having thrown for 1,070 yards in three games, and will be leaned on heavily against a defence that’s been better at stopping the run than the pass game.
2. UNHERALDED OFFENSIVE LINE
The offensive line has the ability to make a significant impact on the outcome of the game. It’s a unit that’s allowed 29 sacks, the second-fewest of any team, and giving Harris plenty of time to make decisions will only help with his precision passing. Success at the line of scrimmage begins with linemen Jacob Brammer and Zack Fry, who will also look to open up holes in the run game for AJ Ouellette.
3. SLOWING DOWN THE PASS GAME
The Riders’ defence will be tasked with something it’s struggled to do in the three previous meetings: limit the production of quarterback Nathan Rourke. Rourke has averaged 353.3 yards through the air against them, so defensive backs Tevaughn Campbell, Jaxon Ford and Marcus Sayles must be prepared when covering Lions receivers Justin McInnis, Keon Hatcher Sr. and Jevon Cottoy.
BC LIONS
1. ESTABLISH THE RUN
Neither running back Zander Horvath nor James Butler has put up more than 43 rushing yards in any of the three matchups so far. Finding early success on the ground will help move the ball and open space up for Rourke and his receivers.
2. LEADERSHIP ON DEFENCE
When the lights shine the brightest, it’s often the veterans who are looked to first. On the defensive side of the ball for the Lions, that would be defensive lineman Mathieu Betts and defensive back T.J. Lee. Betts’ job is to initiate an effective pass rush, while Lee helps handle the downfield duties.
3. EXECUTION IN THE OPPOSITION’S END
The Lions should be confident when they get the ball in the Roughriders’ half of the field with the leg of kicker Sean Whyte and their execution in the red zone. Whyte has made 43 of 47 field goals this season, with a long of 50 yards. The offence, meanwhile, is finding the end zone 69.2 per cent of the time when inside the 20-yard line.
NEED TO KNOW:
BC is 6-3 at home.
Lions’ defensive back Garry Peters will play in his first game since Week 14. It’s just his third game of the season due to injury.
Harris led the CFL in passing yards this season with 5,370.
Riders’ quarterback Tommy Stevens has 17 rushing touchdowns, one behind league leader Zander Horvath.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET and can be watched on TSN and RDS in Canada, as well as on CFL+ in the U.S. and internationally.