Lions eager for crucial clash with Roughriders

SPORTS Lions eager for crucial clash with Roughriders By Gemma Karstens-Smith The Canadian Press Posted September 24, 2026 1:24 pm 4 min read View image in full screen BC Lions' Zander Horvath (34) scores a touchdown as Saskatchewan Roughriders' Aubrey Miller Jr. (47) and Antoine Brooks Jr. (5) defend during the second half of a CFL football game in Vancouver on Sunday, August 23, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns. EC LEAVE A COMMENT SHARE THIS ITEM ON FACEBOOK SHARE THIS ITEM ON X SEND THIS PAGE TO SOMEONE VIA EMAIL SEE MORE SHARING OPTIONS DESCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE INCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE VANCOUVER – Mathieu Betts knows exactly what will be on the line when his B.C. Lions line up against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday. If everything goes Saskatchewan’s way, the Riders could punch their playoff ticket this week — and the Lions are looking to stop that from happening. “It feels like the most important game of the year, and I’m pretty sure it’s not the last time I would tell you that this year,” Betts said. “At the end of the day, to get where we want to go, we need to play good football. So no matter what’s at stake, we need to play good football.” The Lions (7-6) come in with wins in six of their last seven contests, including a 48-29 victory over the Montreal Alouettes on Sept. 12 before the team headed into a bye week. STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT The Roughriders (8-5), meanwhile, sit second in the West Division and are coming off a 19-6 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sept. 12. Saskatchewan could clinch a post-season berth this week, but will need help on the out-of-town scoreboard. The Riders need the Toronto Argonauts to beat the Bombers and the winless Ottawa Redblacks to upset the Calgary Stampeders. Most importantly, the Riders need a victory over the Lions. A Lions win would give B.C. a tiebreaker between the two sides in an ultracompetitive West Division where the second- and fifth-place teams are currently separated by just four points. Related Videos 4:50 CFL’s Labour Day Classic kicks off this weekend CFL’s Labour Day Classic kicks off this weekend Calgary Stampeders prepared for crucial Labour Day Weekend clash City of Calgary seeks bids to study feasibility of a major stadium project Stampeder Jaylon Hutchings makes a Morning show appearance Touchdown Kelowna projects local business boost The Stamps kick off the first home game of the season that will see the Grey Cup in town in November Tickets…