GDT BC at Mtl, Sat July 5, 6:00PM

[gobombersgo]

[gobombersgo]

[gobombersgo]

DB Dionté Ruffin returns, Lorenzo Burns out for Montreal Alouettes vs B.C.
By 3Down Staff -July 4, 2025

The Montreal Alouettes will be making a change at boundary cornerback ahead of their matchup with the B.C. Lions on Saturday.

Starter Lorenzo Burns, who has established himself as one of the league's top lockdown cover men through the first month of the season, as officially been placed on the one-game injured list with a shoulder issue. In four games this year, he has made 19 defensive tackles, two special teams tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble.

Making the replacement easy is veteran defensive back Dionté Ruffin, who has yet to play this season due to a nagging hamstring injury. The 26-year-old played in all 18 games in 2024, amassing an impressive 56 defensive tackles and five interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.

Also making his first appearance of the season due to hamstring issues is Canadian defensive end Josh Archibald, who will enter the rotation against the team he left in free agency. American pass rusher M.J. Sherman will return to the practice roster, while American linebacker K.D. Davis dresses for special teams depth.

On offence, rookie American receiver Jalen Wayne will make his CFL debut as a starter with Austin Mack sitting out for a second straight week. Canadian receiver Daniel Oladejo and American running back Stevie Scott III have been demoted to the practice roster.

The Montreal Alouettes (3-1) will host the B.C. Lions (1-3) at Percival Molson Stadium on Saturday, July 5 with kickoff slated for 7:00 p.m. EDT. The weather forecast calls for a high of 25 degrees with a mix of sun and clouds and a 30 percent chance of showers.

The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and on CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune-in on 730 CKNW in Vancouver and TSN 690 in Montreal.

https://3downnation.com/2025/07/04/db-dionte-ruffin-returns-lorenzo-burns-out-for-montreal-alouettes-vs-b-c/

[gobombersgo]

Linebacker Josh Woods returns to B.C. Lions' lineup after ACL recovery
By 3Down Staff -July 4, 2025

The B.C. Lions will get a massive boost to their linebacking corps following a year-long absence, as American standout Josh Woods is set to make his return from a torn ACL on Saturday.

The 27-year-old was poised for a breakout season in 2024, his first as a full-time starter,  and recorded 21 defensive tackles through the first three games before injuring his knee on June 28 against Edmonton. In total, Woods has appeared in 41 regular-season CFL games with B.C. since 2021, making 90 defensive tackles, 22 special teams tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and scoring a defensive touchdown.

Woods is currently listed as a backup at weakside linebacker behind Canadian Ben Hladik, who has 13 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles, and an interception so far this season. However, the UCLA product is expected to see significant package usage and can play under the designation of a nationalized American veteran.

In addition to Woods' return, the defence has received good news in the form of Canadian defensive end Mathieu Betts, who won't miss time despite being limited with an elbow injury. Team sack leader DeWayne Hendrix (thigh) won't be so lucky and has been placed on the one-game injured list, with rookie Tomasi Laulile making his debut at defensive tackle. Backup defensive back Tyler Coyle (thigh) has been moved to the six-game, while rookie Canadian safety Jackson Findlay returns from a hamstring issue.

Offensively, the team had already announced that Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke would make his return to the starting lineup after a two-game absence. He will be joined by receiver Stanley Berryhill III, who scored two touchdowns in the season opener. That bumps rookie Jermaine Jackson back to return duties, while Phillip Brooks has been demoted to the practice roster.

There will also be a change at right guard as 2024 first-round CFL Draft pick Anu Una is set to make his first career start in place of Tyler Packer, who has been placed on the six-game with a head injury. Backup Canadian receiver Kieran Poissant also slides back into the lineup following the release of Ezechiel Tieide.

The B.C. Lions (1-3) will visit the Montreal Alouettes (3-1) at Percival Molson Stadium on Saturday, July 5 with kickoff slated for 7:00 p.m. EDT. The weather forecast calls for a high of 25 degrees with a mix of sun and clouds and a 30 percent chance of showers.

The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and on CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune-in on 730 CKNW in Vancouver and TSN 690 in Montreal.

https://3downnation.com/2025/07/04/linebacker-josh-woods-returns-to-b-c-lions-lineup-after-acl-recovery/

[gobombersgo]

Montreal Alouettes rule out QB Davis Alexander for second week in a row
By 3Down Staff -July 3, 2025
https://3downnation.com/2025/07/03/montreal-alouettes-rule-out-qb-davis-alexander-for-second-week-in-a-row/

B.C. Lions confirm Canadian QB Nathan Rourke to start vs. Alouettes
By 3Down Staff -July 3, 2025
https://3downnation.com/2025/07/03/b-c-lions-confirm-canadian-qb-nathan-rourke-to-start-vs-alouettes/

[GOLDMEMBER]

Interesting contest with Rourke back.

[dd]

Rourke is a definite upgrade from Masoli, who was brutal in the games he played, but Montreal's defense will take care of him, even with MBT leading their team, I think Montreal wins this one

[Blue In BC]

Montreal had the same bad outcome last week as the Bombers did this week. We'll see what they're made of today. Losing is never a good but getting your butt's handed to you is a different matter. Regardless a loss is still only one game.

[Jesse]

I don't think Rourke will have a lot of success against Montreal, but can Montreal get anything going on offence?

[GOLDMEMBER]

I don't think Rourke will have a lot of success against Montreal, but can Montreal get anything going on offence?

Als are due for disastrous game on O.

[TecnoGenius]

MTL's D looked weak last week.  Not like the unstoppable Ento/Dequoy & crew they usually are.  Maybe teams have been finding chinks in the armor?  We should take notes for when we face them.  Usually MTL is the best D in the league.

Buck isn't known for calling great games vs MTL...

[TecnoGenius]

Hey, Valesi doesn't do French.  Surprised they gave the game to him.  Usually Frenchieville gets Proulx or (passable French) Major.

Maybe someone is ill.

[The Zipp]

haha rourke - great INT, Ento is a baller

[TecnoGenius]

haha rourke - great INT, Ento is a baller

The exact same thing he did to Zach in the GC.  If you're gonna chuck that corner you need to overthrow Ento.  Anything less than an overthrow is gonna get picked.

[TecnoGenius]

Does BC know how to tackle?  Both times they just gave up before the whistle.

When you get beat bad by STE, who is basically JA27, you know you're a bad run D.