GDT Edm at BC, Sat July 4, 6:00PM (held in Kelowna)

gobombersgo · July 03, 2026, 05:04:52 PM

gobombersgo · July 03, 2026, 05:05:40 PM

gobombersgo · July 03, 2026, 05:05:50 PM

B.C. Lions bench Tyson Russell, shuffle secondary against Elks
by 3Down Staff July 3, 2026

The B.C. Lions are going with a different look in the defensive backfield against the Edmonton Elks.

Rookie American cornerback Tyson Russell, who was credited with six defensive tackles through three games, has been benched after several prominent busts. He will spend this week on the reserve roster, while fellow rookie Stantley Thomas-Oliver will bump over to boundary cornerback after making his debut last week.

Veteran halfback T.J. Lee is slated to return after a late scratch against Calgary, but is still listed as a game-time decision due to a calf injury. Deontai Williams is listed as his backup and has been removed from the starting lineup, with Canadian safety Jackson Findlay officially rolling down to play nickel after flashing there last week. Longtime Canadian special teamer Josh Hagerty will serve as the safety, with Patrice Rene returning to the roster as his backup.

In addition to Lee, Canadian linebacker Ben Hladik (ankle) and American defensive end Levi Bell (hip) are both listed as game-time decisions. Special teams standout Maxime Rouyer has been placed on the six-game injured list with a foot issue, and Canadian linebacker Dawson Pierre makes his debut for added depth.

Offensively, American left guard Brandon Yates is back in the lineup after a one-game absence. Josh Donovan has been placed on the reserve roster after making the start last week, and Canadian Alex Berwick has been returned to the practice roster.

Returner Silas Bolden has also been demoted to the practice roster after a pivotal late-game fumble last week. Fellow American rookie Jaden Williams will dress for the second time this year and is expected to handle those duties.

The B.C. Lions (0-3) will host the Edmonton Elks (3-0) at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna on Saturday, July 4, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EDT. The Elks are coming off a 23-18 come-from-behind win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, while the Lions lost the first of two games in the Okanagan against the Calgary Stampeders.

The weather forecast in Kelowna calls for a high of 26 degrees and a mix of sun and cloud. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 880 CHED in Edmonton or 730 CKNW (English) or Sher-E-Punjab Radio AM 600 (Punjabi) in B.C.

https://3downnation.com/2026/07/03/b-c-lions-bench-tyson-russell-shuffle-secondary-against-elks/

gobombersgo · July 03, 2026, 05:05:59 PM

First-round CFL Draft pick Dariel Djabome to make first start for Edmonton Elks at B.C.
by 3Down Staff July 3, 2026

The Edmonton Elks will be thin at the linebacker position for their matchup with the B.C. Lions on Saturday, and are turning to a Canadian youngster as a result.

Dariel Djabome, the third-overall pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, will make his first career start in Kelowna. The 22-year-old has dressed for all three games this season, recording two special teams tackles.

The native of Longeuil, Que., played 47 collegiate games over four seasons with Rutgers University, where he made 192 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one pass knockdown. He served as a team captain in 2025, was named an All-Big Ten honourable mention by the media, and was a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is awarded annually to the player with the best combination of academics, leadership, and on-field performance.

Djabome will be forced onto the field because American linebacker Brock Mogensen, who has made six defensive tackles and two special teams tackles this season, has been placed on the six-game injured list with a hamstring issue. He joins Nick Anderson, Edmonton's opening-day middle linebacker, who was placed on the six-game injured list last week.

American defensive back Ladarius Tennison will dress for depth on special teams, as will Canadian defensive lineman Silas Hubert. Canadian receiver Zach Mathis has been moved to the reserve roster and will not play.

The Edmonton Elks (3-0) will visit the B.C. Lions (0-3) at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna on Saturday, July 4, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EDT. The Elks are coming off a 23-18 come-from-behind win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, while the Lions lost the first of two games in the Okanagan against the Calgary Stampeders.

The weather forecast in Kelowna calls for a high of 26 degrees and a mix of sun and cloud. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 880 CHED in Edmonton or 730 CKNW (English) or Sher-E-Punjab Radio AM 600 (Punjabi) in B.C.

https://3downnation.com/2026/07/03/first-round-cfl-draft-pick-dariel-djabome-to-make-first-cfl-start-for-edmonton-elks-at-b-c/

Tecno · July 04, 2026, 07:48:12 AM

It's funny, looking at the charts you'd think BC would destroy EDM. Just so much talent across the board. And EDM... maybe a decent LB corps? Maybe? It's a pretty garbage roster.

But...

Rankin. Rankin just being there means the whole O is wide open for Cody to dink & dunk & escape you to death. And when Rankin finally slips through, he's got a 50Y TD -- the only question is: how many. (Their braintrust gets a ton of credit too -- they are meticulous with their planning.)

You know, like we used to be with AH33 in '19-'21.

Throw Long Bannatyne · July 04, 2026, 11:36:17 PM

That tackle by Dublanko that caused the fumble was spearing, helmet to helmet.

markf · July 04, 2026, 11:56:52 PM

I would like to see receivers concentrating more on catching the ball, and less on asking for an interference penalty before they even hit the ground.

Good crowd.

Tecno · **Today** at 12:24:32 AM

Wow, that UR at 1Q8:07 is completely insane and 100% the wrong call. This cannot stand. D didn't leave his feet. No spearing, no grade 2 spearing.

Do you see how stout & compact & muscular Butler is? He was 100% going to reach the EZ if someone doesn't whack him OOB. And arm tackle wasn't going to do anything.

This might be the dumbest and fakest call I've ever seen the CFL make. Even dumber than all the UR's they gave Loffler and Biggie. I'd hope we get a memo from the league saying this hit is ok.

I only just started this game... but is the league eager to make sure the Kelown fans get to see a win rather than another game of frustration? Losing badly doesn't help you get new fans (well, except me when I started going again in 2013, but I'm weird).

Tecno · **Today** at 12:34:27 AM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on July 04, 2026, 11:36:17 PMThat tackle by Dublanko that caused the fumble was spearing, helmet to helmet.

Not sure about that. Regardless, ref non-call may be making up for that horrific earlier completely bogus UR (refs do this all the time). I'm going to go back and check what ref it was that threw that UR... I bet it's one of our "favorites".

Tecno · **Today** at 12:53:59 AM

I'm an hour in, and my first impression is... how bad are we that beleaguered BC is looking miles better vs EDM than we did?

Their D has 100% shutdown Rankin on the ground through 1Q. Butler is gashing through huge holes for 50Y a run. Our OL & Brady could do nothing except fumble.

Ya, things could/might/will change as the game goes on. But first impressions is: how bad are we?

theaardvark · **Today** at 01:00:03 AM

BC goingg with 4 Int oline... wow.

theaardvark · **Today** at 01:01:34 AM

Quote from: theaardvark on Today at 01:00:03 AMBC goingg with 4 Int oline... wow.

EDM with 3...

So, total of 3 NAT oline in this game. 30%.

Tecno · **Today** at 01:02:49 AM

2Q7:29 the missed/blocked PAT... the ball clearly hits the padded post, but the refs don't blow it dead immediately?

Is there some rule exception where if it's blocked it can hit the post and not be dead? I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like this before.

markf · **Today** at 01:28:13 AM

Fajardo is a tough cookie.

Throw Long Bannatyne · **Today** at 01:39:45 AM

Quote from: markf on July 04, 2026, 11:56:52 PMI would like to see receivers concentrating more on catching the ball, and less on asking for an interference penalty before they even hit the ground.

Good crowd.

If they only need 15k Kelowna would be a viable location for a team, not much to do there in the summer and everyone is from somewhere else and has money to spend, those who don't got pushed out long ago. It's a weird place.