Week 21 CFL Round-Up

B.C. 27 SASKATCHEWAN 21

REGINA – After a dreadful start to the season, the B.C. Lions are heading into the CFL playoffs on a six-game winning streak following a 27-21 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday.

With the win, the Lions clinched second place in the West Division and a home playoff game. The victory improved B.C. to 11-7 and the Lions will now face the third-place Calgary Stampeders — who also finished with an 11-7 record — in the West semifinal on Nov. 1 in Vancouver.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who finished fourth in the West with a 10-8 mark, will crossover and travel to Montreal to play the 10-8 Alouettes in the East Division semifinal on Nov. 1.

The Lions limped out of the starting gate with a 1-3 mark and were 3-5 as the season headed into July. They turned their fortunes around in the second half of the schedule, going 8-2 and gaining momentum as the playoffs drew closer.

Quarterback Nathan Rourke feels the Lions were their own worst enemy early in the season.

“I think the games that we lost, we feel like we were basically shooting ourselves in the foot. When we got out of our own way and started making a few more plays, good things happened for us,” said Rourke, who finished 23 of 28 passing for 366 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.

“We’ve believed in ourselves since training camp. We believe in this team and believe in each other, and we’ve just got to go out there and execute.”

Although the Lions overcame an 18-10 deficit to win the game, a controversial play five minutes into the third quarter had a major impact on the final result.

On a second-and-10 play from the Saskatchewan 12-yard line, Rourke hit Keon Hatcher in the flat. As Hatcher neared the goal line, he was hit by Riders defensive back DeMarcus Fields and fumbled. Saskatchewan cornerback Tevaughn Campbell scooped up the ball and took it 107 yards to the end zone for a touchdown that would’ve increased the Riders lead to 25-13.

However, after the scoring play was reviewed by the CFL Command Centre, it was ruled that an official had whistled the play dead at the point of the fumble, negating the touchdown. Although the Riders regained possession of the ball, the momentum switched as the Lions forced a punt which led to a Rourke touchdown pass on their next possession that gave the Lions a 19-18 lead.

Campbell was adamant that he didn’t hear a whistle on the play.

“Never. No. I feel like in the play, if I did hear a whistle there would have been a moment of indecision, like, ‘Oh, do I need a run?’ But it was just a clear recovery, pick up, scoop, run to the end zone.

“I didn’t hear a whistle. I don’t think anyone else heard a whistle, because people were still in pursuit. I don’t really have much more to say about it. It was kind of just crazy,” said Campbell.

While there was still 20 minutes of game time left, Campbell believes the ruling had a major effect on the final outcome.

“It had a huge impact. I think it changed (the momentum) because we got the ball backed up instead of going back out on the field as a defence, having those seven points. But I think it changed the trajectory of the game just removing those points and you see what we lost by — six points. So yeah, definitely, it altered the outcome,” said Campbell.

Lions defensive end Mathieu Betts wasn’t about to apologize for his team catching a break on the play.

“I’ll be honest, that’s a big swing. My understanding is they blew the whistle. I’m not sure exactly how everything happened, but for sure, that would have been bad for us. We had a little bit of luck, but yeah, good on us,” said Betts.

“They got the ball deep, and we were able to stop them and get good field position for our offence and that’s when we scored the second touchdown.”

The Lions trailed 21-19 in the fourth quarter when quarterback Rourke led a six-play, 73-yard scoring drive that culminated with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Hatcher. A two-point convert was successful, with Rourke and Hatcher connecting again, to give the Lions a 27-21 lead with four minutes remaining.

Rourke entered the game with an opportunity to become the first Canadian quarterback to lead the league in passing yardage since Russ Jackson of the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1969. Rourke trailed Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell by 374 yards heading into the game. Rourke’s 366 yards Saturday left him nine yards shy of eclipsing Mitchell’s total.

Rourke finished the season 352 of 500 passing for 5,290 yards with 31 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. When asked if those numbers are worthy of consideration for the league’s Most Outstanding Player, Rourke refused to participate in that discussion.

“That’s not up for me to decide. I’m more worried about being a Grey Cup champion, and that starts with winning next week against Calgary,” said Rourke.

The Riders, who clinched first place in the West two weeks ago, are now off for a week before hosting the West final on Nov. 8.

Kian Schaffer-Baker, who had six catches for 69 yards, insisted the Riders need to stay the course heading into the post-season despite losing their final two regular-season games.

“I think you don’t change a thing. You just attack each and every single day, the same way that you’ve been doing the entire time,” said Schaffer-Baker.

Saskatchewan starting quarterback Trevor Harris played three series before exiting midway through the second quarter. The Riders scored on all three possessions, collecting two rushing touchdowns from backup quarterback Jack Coan and a 28-yard field goal from kicker Michael Hughes, who was making his CFLdebut.

Ayden Eberhardt had two touchdown receptions for the Lions. Kicker Sean Whyte had two field goals and punter Karl Meyer had a 73-yard single.

Coan scored two rushing touchdowns for the Riders while Hughes had two field goals and a single on a 90-yard kickoff.

(CP/Jeff DeDekker)

WINNIPEG 19 MONTREAL 10

Third-string quarterback Terry Wilson was pressed into action and helped lead the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to a 19-10 victory over the Montreal Alouettes in the teams’ final regular-season game on Saturday.

The Blue Bombers finished with a 10-8 record, but won’t find out where they’ll play next weekend’s CFL semifinal game until the league’s last game is played later in the night.

If the B.C. Lions lose to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Winnipeg heads to Calgary to take on the Stampeders in the West Division semi. If the Lions win, the Bombers travel to face the Alouettes (10-8) in the East match.

Quarterback Zach Collaros was one a number of Winnipeg starters who sat out the game.

Chris Streveler took his place, but injured a leg while scrambling before being sacked. He was helped off the field with 10:05 left in the first quarter and didn’t return. Streveler tore up ligaments in his left knee last season.

Wilson, who had no pass attempts this season, completed 11 of 21 attempts for 79 yards with one interception. He also ran one yard for a touchdown.

The Alouettes brought quarterback Davis Alexander to Winnipeg, but started McLeod Bethel-Thompson after first place in the East became out of reach when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats defeated the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday.

Bethel-Thompson was 17-of-34 passing for 182 yards with one pick.

The game was played in front of a full house of 32,343 fans at Princess Auto Stadium. It was first time in franchise history the Bombers sold out an entire season. The team’s capacity streak sits at 14 games dating back to August 2024.

Sergio Castillo was good on field goals from 48, 42, 17 and nine yards, but was short on a 58-yard attempt and hit an upright from 50 yards out in windy conditions. He made one convert.

Montreal global kicker Jose Maltos Diaz set a franchise record for most field goals in a season when he knocked through a 25-yarder early in the first quarter. He also connected from 32 and 35 yards. Joseph Zema recorded a 57-yard punt single.

Bombers backup Matthew Peterson, who hails from Brooks, Alta., suited up instead of Brady Oliveira and led all running backs with 17 carries for 80 yards.

Montreal receiver Tyson Philpot topped receivers with six catches for 66 yards.

Winnipeg led 3-0 after the first quarter, 13-4 at halftime and 13-7 heading into the fourth.

After Castillo kicked through his 48-yarder at 2:37 of the first quarter, the teams exchanged interceptions but neither capitalized on the turnover.

Diaz recorded his franchise-record field goal at 2:29 of the second, followed by a Castillo 42-yarder and Zema’s punt single with just under five minutes left for the 6-4 Winnipeg lead.

Philpot fumbled a catch and the ball was recovered by safety Cam Allen, who ran to Montreal’s 19-yard line.

The Blue Bombers were stopped on two cracks from the one-yard line before Wilson plunged over with two seconds left on the clock. Castillo hit his convert for the 13-4 lead.

Diaz had the only scoring in the third quarter with a 35-yard field goal.

Bombers fullback Chris-Ike had a 65-yard carry that helped set up Castillo’s17-yard field goal to make it 16-10 at 10:04 of the fourth.

Montreal turned the ball over on downs with 1:37 left and Castillo chipped through his nine-yarder with 1:03 remaining.

UP NEXT

Bombers: Play a division semifinal Nov. 1 at Montreal.

Alouettes: Host the East Division semifinal Nov. 1 against Winnipeg.

CALGARY 20 EDMONTON 10

EDMONTON – The Calgary Stampeders have done their part to secure second, now the waiting begins.

Rene Paredes kicked four field goals as the Stampeders won their third game in a row and took a major leap toward securing a home game in the West Division semifinal, defeating the rival Edmonton Elks 20-10 on Friday in the final regular-season game for both squads.

“It was a good win for the team, for the good guys,” said Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. “As an offence we want to be a little bit better in the red zone. We need to get sevens (points) instead of those threes. Because we are going to need them in the playoffs.

“It’s anybody’s game in the playoffs and if we can convert those into sevens instead of threes, it’s going to help us out a little bit more.”

The playoff possibilities are still a little convoluted.

Calgary (11-7) will host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers if Winnipeg wins against Montreal and the B.C. Lions lose against Saskatchewan on Saturday. The Stamps will host the B.C. Lions should Winnipeg win over Montreal and the Lions tie against Saskatchewan, or if Montreal wins and the Lions lose or tie.

If the Lions win their game, they will host, having won both games against Calgary this season.

“We gave ourselves a chance, we felt we needed to win to give ourselves our best chance to get a home playoff game,” said Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson. “We’re excited for the playoffs. Was it our best game? No.

“We weren’t great at all inside the five. Normally you are going to lose those games if you go down and get six points from three trips inside the five, but we kept fighting. It was a bit sloppy, but we’ll show up for the playoffs.”

The Elks (7-11) had a four-game home winning streak halted and made some positive strides this season, even if they missed the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.

“I felt there was growth throughout the staff and the football team,” said Elks head coach Mark Kilam. “I think we established a foundation of who we want to be, especially on a day-to-day basis.

“But I’m disappointed right now. I wanted to play better in this game.”

HAMILTON 35 OTTAWA 15

HAMILTON – Bo Levi Mitchell and Marc Liegghio made sure the road to the Grey Cup in the East Division goes through Hamilton Stadium.

Mitchell threw two TD passes while Liegghio booted seven field goals as Hamilton defeated the Ottawa Redblacks 35-15 on Friday night to clinch first in the East. With the win, the Tiger-Cats (11-7) will host the division final Nov. 8, with the winner advancing to the Grey Cup game.

“It’s the easiest way to get there (Grey Cup) obviously but we’ve got to go out and play amazing football,” said Mitchell, a two-time Grey Cup champion.

“We’ve got to stay locked in for the next week, we just can’t go out and drink and celebrate and think this thing is over. The job is nowhere close to being done.”

Mitchell finished 21-of-31 passing for 264 yards and the two TDs, which give him a league-high 36. That’s also a career best for the 13-year veteran, who’s the only CFL quarterback to start all 18 of his team’s games this season.

Liegghio’s seven field goals were one off the club record.

And now Hamilton will begin preparing for the East final off a bye week having won seven-of-eight games this season versus divisional opponents. This also marks just the third time in Ticats history that they’ve gone from last to first in consecutive years after finishing fourth in the East Division last year with a 7-11 record.

Ottawa ended its regular season with a sixth straight loss and will miss the CFL playoffs for the fifth time since playing in the ’18 Grey Cup game. Head coach Bob Dyce led the Redblacks to the post-season last year (9-8-1) but is 18-39-1 in three-plus seasons at the helm.

The expectation is Ottawa will make a coaching change this off-season. That would end Dyce’s 10-year association with the franchise he joined in 2016 as their special-teams coordinator and won a Grey Cup that year.

“It’s gone up and down through that time but you’re always thankful to work with good people,” Dyce said. “I’ve worked with many good people here, made a lot of lifetime friends and you just go forward. 

“Life is a journey, right? It’s kind of like a river, a lot of bends here, there and the next and you just fight through the challenging times. You don’t know where it’s going to end (or) when it’s going to end so you just be thankful for the time that you have and that’s about it.”

(CP)