CFL 2024 Recap: BC @ Saskatchewan - Western Semi-Final

[@MattyPrograms]

Respect to the Riders fans :) I’m a B.C. transplant and attended the last two games at Mosaic between SK and B.C. Always treated well by the best fans in the CFL. Good luck in Winnipeg!

[@kopitarrules]

@@MattyPrograms I am 50 year old life long Lions fan who grew up in Edmonton and went to college in Calgary. I definitely agree. Saskatchewan definitely has the nicest fans (outside of B.C. that is) in the West, if not the entire league.

[@kopitarrules]

@Browne7100 I can't say. Simply because I've never met an eagles fan, but I suspect that given I'm a supporter of the Steelers they might be less than kind to me. Lol

[@wintertime331]

Thank you for the kind words, yes I’d like to think we rider fans are as you described, but I’m sure there are a few bad eggs , there always is 😊

[@TimDyck]

As Rider season ticket holders my wife and I always try to welcome fans we meet from other cities and we to encourage other fans to do the same. You are guests in our house and should be treated that way. Most other stadiums we have been to have been similar in that treatment to us. All teams have disrespectful fans but they are the minority and all fans need to call them out when they are mistreating visitors from other cities.

[@kopitarrules]

@TimDyck Yeah as a Lions fan who grew up in Edmonton and did my college in Calgary (and spent many years running businesses across the province of Alberta) my experience with Eskimo/Elk and Stampeder fans has been the complete opposite. A good 99% of the ones I have met in the last 50 years have been disrespectful to the extreme. To the point of pure hatred and even xenophobia almost. "Go back to BC" "only retards hope for the Lions" being some of the tamer insults that have been hurled at me when people find out I am a Lions fan. Not just in the stadiums either but in restaurants gas stations and parks. Often for no more reason than simply wearing the orange and black or cheering a Lions touchdown. (I am exceedingly loud so that may contribute to it.) I myself have never taunted or yelled disparaging things (I'm one guy in stadiums that hold 40,000 rabid fans I'm not THAT stupid lol) the fans of Alberta teams just hate the Lions and our fans that much. It's the same in hockey too (I'm a life long Kings fan since before there was an oiler or flames team) I find Alberta fans, at least the majority of them that I have met in the last 50 years to be super toxic and just plain mean.

[@edoconnor5528]

I'm watching from Ecuador. I don't know the play-by-play announcer's name, but he certainly makes the game exciting. He is one of the best I have ever heard.

[@ZekeStulberg]

His name’s Dustin Nielson

[@tylerselinger7600]

Dustin Nielson

[@SirLionofBiff]

Cannot disagree more. This is the most annoying announcer I've ever heard and I have no idea why he has a job.

[@edoconnor5528]

@@SirLionofBiff Just turn down the sound.....your problem is solved. If only that could be done with Trudeau!

[@edoconnor5528]

@@ZekeStulberg Thank you.

[@Saint3188]

Coming from a BC Lions fan I just want to say good game Riders and goodluck in the playoffs

[@TimDyck]

Thank you and although your team didn’t make it past our team they played hard and deserve everyone’s respect.

[@classicalsquire2016]

I am from Niagara USA lucky to get Canadian football games on TV back to the 60's. My dad always said CFL was more fun to watch than NFL and College games as well. I agree. I've been a Riders fan since the days of Ronnie Lancaster. Even named my bowling team the Rough Riders! Anyway great game now I will look at the Argo's hilight!

[@marktwain368]

Doesn't get any more exciting than this! CFL games are the tops!

[@Evan-hockputer]

Congrats, Riders, on your victory. - Eskimos fan

[@nancybannerman1224]

Yeah, Riders!!! Good luck against Bombers next weekend. Love the CFL. I wish the season was longer. 🇨🇦

[@garyholt8315]

a 6 month season would be good !

[@teto85]

18 games. Longer than the NFL.

[@CheeseEnthusiast617]

Riders played some EXCELLENT complimentary football tonight. Offense scored when they needed to, defense made key stops and forced turnovers when needed, Lauther was perfect, Korsak had some really nice punts… really seems like the Riders have turned a corner with Mace at the controls. GC champs perhaps?

[@teo_heel]

Great game by Roughriders. Nice to see AJ Oullette being 100% healthy, he was a HUGE factor in the Riders win. And it's so poetic to see Rolan Milligan Jr sealing the win with the pick in the end zone.

[@TimDyck]

Good game. Both teams played hard and provided us with a game that was worth watching. BC was a worthy opponent that did not quit even in the last minute of the game. Now next week the Riders will have to face another team that won’t quit. But I have confidence that they will fight hard and beat Winnipeg in their stadium. GO RIDERS!

[@MrJustworkdammit]

Harris looked ELITE this game. I was amazed how accurate he was

[@Vixsufil]

While he is the most accurate qb in cfl playoff history.

[@shycourage4992]

Not only did the Riders win the Rams and Huskies won as well. Awesome day for football in Saskatchewan

[@fabriziodifazio8439]

Sask got healthy at the right time. This won't be an easy win for Winnipeg next week.

[@MrGermain80]

The Riders can definitely beat Winnipeg next Saturday! Funny how you phrase that - "it won't be an easy win" ..It won't be a win at all.. The Riders are coming for Winnipeg and this time they'll beat them! GO RIDERS!

[@TimDyck]

Playoff wins are seldom easy but these players will bring 100% of their abilities and it will likely be a game worth watching.

[@fabriziodifazio8439]

@@MrGermain80 you're right, I worded that poorly. The Bombers are tough, but so is Sask. It'll be a good game.

[@kopitarrules]

Congratulations to the Riders. You were the better team today. Good luck with the Bombers next week. We'll see you in May. #LionsForever

[@wintertime331]

Thank you , it was close , could have gone either way .

[@Jonathon_Hennessey]

I have to give the B.C Lions alot of credit. They put up a good fight and didn't give up until the end. They should be proud of what they accomplished this year.

[@Saint3188]

Me too I'm a Lions fan and goodluck Ridernation

[@wintertime331]

@@Saint3188thank you for the good wishes , you are what this league is all about 😊👏👏

[@justinbarton8808]

Were finally going back to the Western Final.. come on riders put on a show in Winnipeg, give them all you got!

[@scottiebrooks]

LET'S GO, GREEN!! 💚 My first Rider game was with my Dad at Taylor Field. BC won with a last second field goal.The last game I went to, BC did the same again. Nobody reacted expect to say to each other, "See ya' next game." Oh that Rider Pride!

[@trevortomah8508]

Thanks for the highlights; go CFL go.

[@michaelwilkie35]

BC is in for an offseason full of uncertainty. When Rourke was signed in August I thought it was BC’s title to lose this year, but they basically did what Sask’ did in 22’ & slowly fall apart as the season went on.

[@Saint3188]

it was the mid-season meltdown that cost the Lions

[@SirLionofBiff]

BC needs an o-line and some coaching changes.

[@franklidgad]

It will be interesting to see where Rourke goes from here in the off season. The NFL didn't work as planned for him which was very sad to see. He will probably move on to another CFL team as I cannot see him staying on with BC as a 2nd string QB.

[@theodoreking8468]

@@franklidgad Vernon is most likely done with BC. People here would rather have Rourke.

[@MrGermain80]

Saskatchewan gets a huge win against B.C. and now must be focused on going into Winnipeg, shutting up the fans and taking the West Final from the Bombers! Defence and the run game are key and if Harris can get time and pick apart the Winnipeg Defence, the Riders will be going to the Grey Cup! GO RIDERS!

[@leristacy9785]

Go Riders goooo! 🎉🎉🎉

[@teo_heel]

BTW. So nice to see Nelson Lokombo getting his first CFL interception... just when it was needed the most.

[@Dani-sm8jp]

See you in BC Saskatchewan Argooooooooos 🏈

[@lebruce5906]

LET'S GO RIDERS!!!

[@mjjoe76]

Announcer really liked to find rhymes in this game, didn’t he?

[@kellenc_]

We call him Dr.Suess

[@MRBUCKNUTZ2]

Edmonton guy here Hope the Riders defeat Winnipeg tired of seeing them in the cup

[@franklidgad]

Who's that wearing #45 for the Riders? Oh, that's AJ Oullette with his new hair color. Last game he was blonde. Great job on the field today AJ. Good luck in WPG next week. Go Riders!!! 🏈🏆

[@patrickwestgard113]

Go riders go 💚🤍

[@stephenbueckert3011]

Look at the empty seats! For a playoff game! Not the SK I remember.

[@87Dodge87]

The Lions had no run, no play action, no surprise.

[@jonnysaint5261]

It don't matter. Alouettes are winning it all baby!!

[@Nickh4929]

They have to prove it first. Toronto looks decent and winnipeg/sask

[@Thomas-d5u6m]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@grazynazambeanie5963]

Two or three of them , one of us , okay let's just lob it up there and see what happens. B.C. motto

[@squatch545]

VAJ looked pretty ordinary.

[@Matt-nj1yh]

Better than Rourke though

[@squatch545]

@@Matt-nj1yh It will be interesting to see which QB BC keeps (or maybe both?)

[@Matt-nj1yh]

@@squatch545 or neither? (it won't be neither)

[@maxgees99]

Hard for any QB to look good with no protection. VA used his legs like a CFL QB should while Rourke seems to have had that beaten out of his skill set by NFL coaches, despite the scrambling success of Mahomes, Jackson etc. A good defence may provide the opportunity for a 20 point offense to win, but porous BC secondary and weak pass rush kills that idea. VA will land somewhere. Like all talented QBs he needs a good line in front of him; I’d say Elks.

[@natedoggna1101]

BC needs to clean house... I mean really clean house. The entire coaching staff, the gm, the entire o line, the majority of the defense and a large portion of the offense

[@squatch545]

That's what the Stamps are doing.

[@chefc1114]

I agree they should clean house and that rebuild and be 3-15 next year. I think it's better to be 9-9 and lose in the playoffs than 3-5 or 7-11 and miss the playoffs just saying The BC lion's had 3 straight winning season and you are ready to start over be careful what you wish for

[@wintertime331]

@@chefc1114agreed , although the lions might have put themselves in a bad situation giving Rourke all that money, it’s going to be like the Mike Reily years with no offensive line and Rourke running for his life.

[@natedoggna1101]

@@chefc1114 the lions went 4-8 in the last 12 games. They are not a 9-9 team, they're way worse than that and they're actually more of a 6-12 team. They suck and their record is going to be much worse next season. May as well get a head start and rebuild starting next season

[@Matt-nj1yh]

starting with Rourke.

[@chr970]

Great win, a good game from both teams. If I were a coach I’d tell my players, anyone dumps Gatorade on me after any win ,you can get home on a train on your own expense.

[@Matt-nj1yh]

So... what team do we think Vernon Adams Jr will be on next season?

[@lebruce5906]

Thinking Calgary

[@timapple6586]

Glad Riders won and delighted Milligan was the hero... but I can't imagine why BC didn't challenge for DPI on that interception in the final minute. What did they have to lose? I imagine a lot of Hail Mary 50/50 plays are designed with the challenge-flag as a Plan B.

[@-007-2]

It was a pretty clean interception. Also they know all turnovers are automatically reviewed by the command centre.

[@teo_heel]

BC already used both timeouts so they couldn't challenge even if they wanted.

[@itsmrgq8175]

Playoff game and there’s so many empty seats

[@elrolo3711]

It was the same in Toronto.

[@wintertime331]

There was still 26,000 vocal fans ! It’s hard to sell when we only had a week , ( not knowing until last minute Saturday whether we were finishing 1st or 2nd ).

[@nuthinnobody3357]

I think it’s probably the economy. When I left Saskatchewan 8 years ago it was always a sell out or close.

[@itsmrgq8175]

@ things are definitely tighter these days and I agree could lead to less sales. But I would still expect better turnout for a playoff game. Especially considering the riders have one of the stronger cfl fan base’s

[@creedencebakken2686]

It’s no doubt the economy. People would rather spend $100+ on groceries and bills rather than tickets to the game. Which is fine

[@kenhinds7261]

As I stated 3 months ago, The owner of the Lions needs to fire the coaching staff for the disastrous season.

[@JawsHLL]

crazy

[@tytn9978]

clapping for MY team ... have been a Riders fan ever since we got our first tv on the farm in 1965!

[@michaelhofer954]

Come to winnipeg we are waiting for you..

[@Pokemaniak180]

We're ready to beat you, too

[@MrKyleMcQueen]

Riders will take down the Bombers. At some point, the Bombers will not be playing in the Grey Cup, and I think that starts this season.

[@AverageLARamsFan]

The bombers will pick apart the riders

[@Pokemaniak180]

@AverageLARamsFan We'll just have to see next week, wont we?

[@josieackerman3842]

Good luck Saskatchewan,Raiders,Go get them,

[@zemnous2847]

Bc should have done a qb swap with 2 solid qb picks and since Adam had his hands tied would have been nice to see them let Nathan step out on the field

[@teo_heel]

It wouldn't helped. Like at all. Rourke completely failed in his return to the league.

[@zemnous2847]

@ man has also been on the shelf for a long while but dismissing him completely is a bit rough when we all Know he does have talent

[@Matt-nj1yh]

Nathan on that field the Lions would have lost 100-6

[@teo_heel]

@@Matt-nj1yh Not like that... but definitely Lions would've not scored 19 points.

[@danholtby1635]

3 interceptions are a back breaker!!

[@user-bz6vt9nf5h]

CFL, Here's a good rule change you should consider: Hitting the goalposts on a field goal attempt should be 1 point.

[@Matt-nj1yh]

The rule change has been noted. this change will become official once the NHL creates a rule that hitting the posts will also become 1 point, crossbar will be 2 points. a goal will remain as only 1 point.

[@samspade4050]

So you fail and still get a point if anything doing away with a point on a missed field goal should be removed

[@teo_heel]

No. Aussie Rules must stay as the only football code that allows a point for hitting an upright.

[@danbunge9787]

A.J. to the Pats😆😇😄😃

[@Big-gp9bi]

What's with the small crowd?

[@TheJhn924]

There's been quite a bit of discontent among Rider fans over the past couple of poor seasons and it's starting to show in the stands. Although, nothing a Grey Cup win wouldn't cure

[@jayhenderson6247]

I was there i would say at least 28k+ lots of people stayed in the stadium and watched on the jumbo tron and tvs since it was so cold and windy

[@TheJhn924]

@@jayhenderson6247 I don't think it was a terrible crowd... just not the sell out we've come to expect from Riders fans.

[@jayhenderson6247]

@ yes true but we did have a bad season record remember and the last time we had a playoff game here it was the smallest crowd ever in a playoff game

[@theodoreking8468]

@@jayhenderson6247 announced attendance was 26k.

[@teo_heel]

And the wind played its role in the Riders win as well. Sean Whyte couldn't figure out the wind.

[@jerrykurl69]

Excellent win by the Riders, total team effort. Anyone notice Nathan Rourke on the BC sideline? I may have missed it but it seemed pretty deliberate that the camera did not show him at all. Anyone notice that?

[@JosephRocco-mi4cm]

Why so many empty seats?

[@emmanuelaboagye434]

I’m sorry but Adams interceptions were careless at the wrong time smh 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@notathaiguy]

What is going on?all the empty seats?

[@theodoreking8468]

Regina isn't really a football town any longer. Too many city slickers. Most of the fans are from out of town and it's harder to get to a last minute playoff game for them.

[@ah4800]

A playoff game with empty seats?

[@chanceschenk5960]

Just look at torntos game

[@wintertime331]

28,000 ain’t empty

[@chanceschenk5960]

@ah4800 did you see thier upper bowl

[@Nickh4929]

Yea I think next week should be more people in the seats and the grey cup I hope

[@dalew5832]

There was a lot of other sports going on in Sask on Saturday. Provincial games and such. People just had other commitments.

[@reginatrench3899]

Saskatchewan has ugly green uniforms, change them please.

[@teo_heel]

Unis aren't that ugly, the biggest problem with them are the numbers being hard to see.

[@metuberob]

didn't have a great feeling for this lacklustre bc team never playing like they wanted to play the grey cup ... more like playing to host and not hoist the grey cup but all props to sask which played a great game and came prepared to play to win

[@madmusicman5921]

Lions should have gone with Nathan Rourke instead of Venon Adams as Rourke is a far better QB. Two missed filed goals killed the lions as well. AJ Oullete is a very good running back. rb.

[@Matt-nj1yh]

You weren't paying attention at all this season! WAKE UP! it's time to get out from under your rock.

[@shycourage4992]

VA has the fastest feet in the league he scrambled almost every play. Standback lived up to his name and stood back with less than 30 yards

[@gordd7348]

A lot of empty seats in Regina.

[@samspade4050]

Have you ever been to a game at mosaic? Lots of people watch the game from the concourse. Do some research before jabbering on

[@theodoreking8468]

@@samspade4050 he did the research. attendance was announced at 26k. There were a lot of empty seats. It's not a big deal.

[@PollyTheWog-ff8rt]

Haven’t watched CFL in years (after being a fan for around 30 years)… doesn’t seem like a good sign seeing empty playoff seats in one of the most supported franchise’s stadium (at least, it used to be).

[@teo_heel]

Stadium wasn't as empty as you might think.

[@samspade4050]

Try doing some research before making stupid comments. Lots of people watch the game from the concourse

[@teo_heel]

@@samspade4050 That's a bad idea for TV as the stadium looks empty with most people being on the concourses instead of sitting on their seat.

[@PollyTheWog-ff8rt]

@@teo_heel I’ve gone to a few games… never remember that many seats being empty because people were elsewhere watching it. I get it just before the end or beginning of a half, but not in the middle of the game.🤷🏻‍♂️

[@PollyTheWog-ff8rt]

@@samspade4050 Research..?🤣. It’s not THAT complicated…! I’ve been to games…. still doesn’t add up.

[@mattt2277]

So for every rider fan crying last week on their forums about the wind in Montreal, you all running your mouths now? Wind clearly favored the riders making Whyte miss twice

[@shycourage4992]

When you are going to learn, Montreal beat themselves on the missed field goal at the end of the game. A rogue would have put the Bomber back on their side of the field wind or no wind. The ball would have been spotted at the 40.

[@samspade4050]

I see you haven’t stopped running your mouth

[@mattt2277]

@shycourage4992 yeah I get that. But honest to God you had riders forums complaining the game was rigged or that the bombers legit controlled the weather, or that the punter legit shanked his kick in purpose. It was truly sad yet amazing

[@shycourage4992]

@mattt2277 What the truth is a rogue would have brought the ball to the 40. What don't the Bomber fans see the obvious.. course if Collarus goes down the Bomber fans will scream dirty players.

[@shycourage4992]

@mattt2277 never seen so many trash talking fans as the Bombers

[@MrCoda47]

BC played like a beer league team they were a joke

[@teerumbott]

Bombers here: we're waiting

[@MrKyleMcQueen]

Riders will be ready to win.

[@shycourage4992]

What you gonna say when Cillarus goes down. Rider plays are dirty or Collarus has too many concussions that a slap in the head puts him out of the game.

[@KAIJU8-i]

See what the Liberals and the NDP do federally, I have never seen a Saskatchewan Rider playoff game that empty my entire life. So sad. They are destroying our country.

[@teo_heel]

It has nothing to do with politics.

[@leegifford2942]

🤦 It's expensive to go and it's just not in the budget for a lot of people. Just the way it is. And yes, politics has nothing to do with it. Why do some people have to politicise everything?🤷

[@beastlyidiots9232]

Rick Campbell has to go. He really fumbled the season by swapping QB' s with no plan. The offense was terrible. The defense couldn't stop any run game. This team went 4- 10 down the stretch. Pathetic.

[@halrox247]

Can’t even sellout a playoff game. This is the most consistently disappointing thing about Canadian football.

[@xboxrules8472]

As a Vancouverite, I hope the lions keep losing every game and stop blocking the great city of Vancouver from getting an NFL team. Only tiny markets give af about the CFL.

[@billbaird2273]

Lou Sir. Maybe go live in the USA. They just elected a moron again so you would fit right in. Vancouver will never get an NFL team, NEVER. Get over it. Keep watching football from your couch looooo sir.

[@judistzoinkiski3395]

Good bye rick campbell you fraud, VA stinks, DBs are buns, LBs are also buns. Learn to tackle and coverage. i miss Menard and Sayles.

[@Bongaboi151]

BC's quarterback sucks.

[@dantankunfiveancestorsfist]

Poor tackling, the way they tackle is as if they're playing flag football:(

[@christianlassen7027]

BC can’t tackle. Tier 3 collage ball. The CFL just keeps getting worse and worse.

[@jayhenderson6247]

u try tackling one of those guys “christian”

[@Flame-uf3zo]

Better than the Boring NFL..lets watch another exciting kickoff or punt return...LOL

[@wintertime331]

@@Flame-uf3zolol , right?? 😁

[@brizzchizz7302]

@@Flame-uf3zo You have got to be kidding comparing the two? Not even close, the NFL is LEAGUE'S above.

[@Flame-uf3zo]

@@brizzchizz7302 NFL is as boring as F**k ...I find it hilarious why all you NFL fan Bois comment negatively about the CFL but cant take the criticism back