GDT Ssk at BC, Sat Oct 31, 3:30PM

[gobombersgo]

[gobombersgo]

[gobombersgo]

B.C. Lions down CFL award finalist for West Semi-Final
October 30, 2026

The B.C. Lions have made several substantial changes to their defensive lineup ahead of Saturday's West Semi-Final clash with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Weak-side linebacker Parker McKenna has been ruled out with a head injury for the home team, providing a devastating blow to the defence. The 25-year-old had been a key part of the unit's resurgence, collecting 75 defensive tackles, six special teams tackles, four tackles for loss, a sack, two forced fumbles, and three batted passes. He finished second in voting for the Most Outstanding Rookie award, losing out to Toronto's Tyler Kahmann.

Veteran Canadian linebacker Adam Konar, who recently turned 33 years old, has been given the start. In 17 games this season, he has made just three defensive tackles, while adding seven more on special teams. Ben Hladik, who began the season as the starter, is listed as a backup behind Darnell Sankey.

The Lions will also be without starting field cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver, who tweaked a hip in practice. 34-year-old Garry Peters, who has appeared in just two games this season due to injury, will get the start. Ronald Kent Jr. will also remain at field halfback after losing his spot earlier in the year. West Division All-CFL selection Deontai Williams will return to the nickel spot, with Canadian Cristophe Beaulieu stepping back into a backup role.

B.C. will get the benefit of a return on the defensive line, as nose tackle Jonah Tavai is back from a thigh injury. He'll be backed up by recent signee Tomasi Laulile, as the Lions battle injuries to backup options Nathan Cherry, David Gusta, and T.J. Burke.

Offensively, the regular starting unit is intact, including the return of fullback Riley Pickett. However, returner Seven McGee, who made his return to the lineup last week, has once again been sidelined by a foot injury. It is unclear how the Lions will handle his absence, as they have rotated through half a dozen returners this season.

The B.C. Lions (10-8) will host the Saskatchewan Roughriders (10-8) for the West Semi-Final at BC Place Stadium on Saturday, October 31, with kickoff scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET. The teams met three times during the regular season, with Saskatchewan winning the matchup in Regina, and B.C. winning both games in Vancouver.

The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 620 CKRM in Regina and 730 CKNW (English) or Sher-E-Punjab Radio AM 600 (Punjabi) in Vancouver.

https://3downnation.com/2026/10/30/b-c-lions-down-cfl-award-finalist-for-west-semi-final/

[gobombersgo]

Saskatchewan Roughriders without starting safety for West Semi-Final

The Saskatchewan Roughriders will have all their top offensive weapons available, but a significant hole on defence when they face the B.C. Lions for the West Semi-Final on Saturday.

Starting safety Nelson Lokombo has been ruled out with a hip injury. The 27-year-old native of Abbotsford, B.C., has appeared in 13 games this year, making 45 defensive tackles, three pass breakups, and an interception.

Jaxon Ford will start in his place for the elimination matchup. The Regina product has suited up in 17 games, making starts at safety and strong-side linebacker, producing 49 defensive tackles, six special teams tackles, one pass breakup, and an interception. That pick came against B.C. in the regular season, though Ford was also victimized on several big plays in that game.

Helping matters will be the return of field halfback DaMarcus Fields from a hamstring injury. Seyi Oladipo Jr. will continue to start at strong-side linebacker.

Offensively, leading receiver KeeSean Johnson is back from an ankle injury, meaning that Saskatchewan will have their top three targets together for the second time in three weeks. Quarterback Trevor Harris, running back A.J. Ouellette, and right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick will all be refreshed after resting in the regular season finale.

Defensive back Antoine Brooks Jr. and quarterback Brayden Schager begin the postseason on the reserve roster. Along with Lokombo, fullback Albert Awachie, receiver Dylan Djete, defensive linemen Lake Korte-Moore, Derrick Roberson, and Aaron Patrick, linebacker Nick Wiebe, and defensive back Rolan Milligan are on the one-game injured list.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders (10-8) will visit the B.C. Lions (10-8) for the West Semi-Final at BC Place Stadium on Saturday, October 31, with kickoff scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET. The teams met three times during the regular season, with Saskatchewan winning the matchup in Regina, and B.C. winning both games in Vancouver.

The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 620 CKRM in Regina and 730 CKNW (English) or Sher-E-Punjab Radio AM 600 (Punjabi) in Vancouver.

https://3downnation.com/2026/10/30/saskatchewan-roughriders-without-starting-safety-for-west-semi-final/

[GOLDMEMBER]

Go kill em Lions!

[Tecno]

Go kill em Lions!

I'm torn.  Ya, I hate the Riders.  But they'll never beat EDM.  So we should root for the team that can beat EDM up more (as in injuries).

I guess that's still BC?  SSK D isn't terribly physical this year.

I would so like to see Rourke cry again though.  I don't know why, but I get a kick out of that.  Plus, it shuts up Farhan for at least 3 months, and that's a good thing.

But I do so hate the Riders...

[Jesse]

Go BC, I don't want to see the Riders anymore than i have to.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Ugh..BC sux to start with.

[Tecno]

I'm delayed a couple of minutes, but so far to me it looks like SSK is super fired up and BC is low-energy.

They better nip that in the bud pronto or Greenies will take it on morale alone.

[Tecno]

This setup isn't good for BC.  They have all the pressure.  They have the far better record (2 wins for SSK shouldn't have counted).  They are anointed as the Next Big Thing.  Rourke is supposed to make it to a cup Real Soon Now.

SSK is just there for s's & giggles.  They can play loose.  They don't care.  Just like us in the EDF.

If a team is EDM/MTL-level good then this pressure doesn't matter.  But BC isn't THAT good.  So the pressure can really get to them and cause them to lose.

There's no way this game should be close because SSK is sooo bad this season.  Even we could beat this Riders team today.

But SSK in full-on D&D mode -- does BC have an answer for that??

[Tecno]

Haha, BC's O looking like WPG's O!  I thought Rourke & co were supposed to be the best thing eva!

Double haha, BC getting beaten by Great Gazoo Bertrand-Hudon!  ahhahaha

[GOLDMEMBER]

Rourke and the Lion OL have been underwhelming.

[Tecno]

Don't look now, but Lauther 2.0 looking better than Castillo??  How does the guy go from worse than Milo to world-beater just because he had a stopover in OTT??

[Tecno]

Unfortunately for us trying to sell the playoffs to the USA (and world) both of these games today are pretty awful.  Ya, ours had a fun ending (even if you're neutral), but to be honest the game was so sub-par with whiffs and drops and flags.

At least this ref crew in BC is pretty much keeping the nylon away.  Show Valesi how it's done.

I hope the DF's are far more professional next week.

[Tecno]

Haha, BC forgot the axiom:

When Stevens is in, Stevens runs the ball.