Rourke leads Lions past Roughriders in CFL West semifinal

Nathan Rourke passed for 366 yards and the B.C. Lions came all the way back to beat the Saskatchewan Roughriders 33-26 in the CFL’s West Division semifinal on Saturday in Vancouver.

The Lions fell behind 17-3 midway through the second quarter before rallying in the third and taking over the game in the fourth.

Rourke connected on 21 of his 32 attempts, including a pair of touchdown passes to Jevon Cottoy and another to Stanley Berryhill III.

Kicker Sean Whyte added four field goals — his longest was a 48-yard kick — as B.C. eliminated the reigning Grey Cup champions from the playoffs.

Trevor Harris logged 255 passing yards with one interception for the Riders, who bounced the Lions from the post-season in both 2024 and 2025.

Saskatchewan QB Tommy Stevens rushed for a four-yard major in the second quarter and Brett Lauther made six field goals, including two from 55 yards.

The Lions will travel to face the Edmonton Elks (13-5) in the West Division final on Nov. 7.

The East semifinal earlier on Saturday saw the Winnipeg Blue Bombers stun the Argonauts with a 25-22 comeback victory in Toronto.

The Bombers will take on the host Montreal Alouettes in the East final on Nov. 7. Calgary hosts the Grey Cup on Nov. 15.