B.C. Lions Clinch Playoff Berth with Thrilling Victory Over Calgary Stampeders

B.C. Lions Clinch Playoff Berth with Victory Over Calgary Stampeders

The B.C. Lions secured their spot in the 2025 CFL playoffs with a 38-24 victory over the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday at B.C. Place Stadium. Nathan Rourke led the Lions with 414 passing yards and four touchdowns, overcoming two interceptions and a late Calgary rally.

Rourke's Dominant Performance Leads Lions to Victory

Rourke had a stellar performance, completing 25 of 32 passes. Two of his touchdown passes were to Keon Hatcher. He now has more than 400 passing yards in 2 games, and he's passed for 300+ yards in 10 games. The Lions offense proved too much for the Stamps to handle. Despite the interceptions, Rourke's overall command of the game was crucial in securing the win.

Stampeders' Late Surge Falls Short

The Calgary Stampeders, led by quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., attempted a fourth-quarter comeback after falling behind. Adams, in his return to B.C. Place Stadium, threw for 303 yards and two touchdowns but was also intercepted three times. The Stampeders' rally, fueled by two interceptions of Rourke, ultimately fell short as the Lions defense stiffened in the final minutes.

Key Moments and Defensive Plays

A key moment occurred when Robert Carter Jr. intercepted Adams twice in the final quarter, thwarting Calgary's comeback attempts. Running back Zander Horvath sealed the victory with a 33-yard touchdown run late in the game. Mathieu Betts also had a sack giving him a league leading 10 in the last 4 games. Jackson Findlay also had an interception in the endzone.

Playoff Implications and Standings

With this win, the B.C. Lions (9-7) move into sole possession of second place in the West Division. The Stampeders (8-7) have now lost their fourth straight game but remain in playoff contention. The Lions are on a bye and will return to action against the Edmonton Elks on October 17. Their final regular season game will be October 25 in Saskatchewan.

Quotes from Key Players and Coaches

Rourke expressed relief after the game, stating, "There’s a lot of relief right now that we pulled that one out." Lions head coach Buck Pierce praised his team's resilience, saying, "That’s what you’re proud of as a coach, how you finish, what is your mindset. We’re going to go out there and finish the game on our terms.” Veteran T.J. Lee added, "Our goal is to win a championship. That’s the first step to our goal." Adams of the Stampeders said, "All I can do is get back to work, put my head down and lead by example."

This report was created by synthesizing information from the Canadian Press, the Lake Country Calendar, Beritaja, and 3DownNation.