CFL picks: B.C. Lions look to keep momentum going in Edmonton
Article content
Calgary (3-1) visits the Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-0) — the CFL's lone remaining unbeaten squad — on Friday night. Last week, Adams defeated Winnipeg 37-16, handing the Blue Bombers their first loss of the season.
Article content
Article content
Saskatchewan is not only at home — where it has won four of its last five games — but comes off a bye week, having amassed a 4-1 record following a week off the last two years. And veteran starter Trevor Harris (head/illness) resumed practising this week after missing the Riders' 37-18 home win over B.C. on June 28.
Article content
Backup Jake Maier stepped in and threw for 170 yards and a TD but AJ Ouellette was the main offensive threat, running for 139 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.
Article content
Saskatchewan rushed for 188 yards on 33 attempts (5.7-yard average) overall.
Article content
The ground game is important for Saskatchewan, which is averaging a CFL-best 138.5 yards per game. Ouellette, is the league's rushing leader with 347 yards (6.2-yard average per carry, three TDs).
Article content
Saskatchewan is also averaging a CFL-leading 29.3 offensive points per game while having committed a league-low five turnovers. But the Riders are eighth overall in penalties (9.5 per game) and last in yards (109.8).
Article content
Adams threw two TD passes — his first this season — versus Winnipeg and stands third in the CFL in passing (1,025 yards). He is also Calgary's second-leading rusher (116 yards on 14 carries, 8.3-yard average).
Article content
Dedrick Mills carries the rushing load for Calgary. He is second overall behind Ouellette with 311 yards (4.9-yard average) but leads the CFL in touchdowns (five) and runs of 10-plus yards (nine).
Article content
Calgary's defence also got into the act versus Winnipeg with Damon Webb and Derrick Moncrief returning interceptions for TDs. The Stampeders are allowing 18.3 offensive points per game and given up just five total touchdowns, both league lows.
Article content
Article content
Saskatchewan's defence is surrendering 66.5 rushing yards per game, the fewest in the CFL.
Article content
The Riders are not only 3-0 this season with Harris but the veteran quarterback has completed 72.5 per cent of his passes. He's also averaging a league-best 10.1 yards per passing attempt.
Article content
The Riders and Stamps split their two games last year, with each winning on the road.
Article content
Calgary has history on its side, sporting a 7-1 regular-season record at Mosaic Stadium since it opened in 2017. Overall, the Stampeders are 10-1 in their most recent regular-season visits to Saskatchewan.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Vancouver Sun
an hour ago
- Vancouver Sun
Nathan Rourke: B.C. Lions offence needs to find a way to 'start fast' against Hamilton Sunday
The B.C. Lions have a punctuality problem. The Lions (3-4) head into a Sunday visit to B.C. Place by the Hamilton Tigers-Cats (4-2) having led just once after the first quarter this season, and having been outscored by 34 points in those opening frames so far in the campaign. They've been outscored by 16 points in total to date. B.C. is coming off a 33-27 loss at home to the Saskatchewan Roughriders last week that didn't feel as close as the scoreboard actually read. That's because Saskatchewan seemed to put it into cruise control after going up 17-1 in the first quarter. The Roughriders had a 10-0 cushion, in fact, before Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke had taken his third snap — B.C. went two-and-out on the opening drive and that was followed by a Saskatchewan touchdown, a B.C. turnover on a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and then a Roughrider field goal. 'We have to score more touchdowns and especially early,' Rourke said after practice Friday at the Lions' Surrey headquarters. 'We need to give our defence a little more cushion there, a little more confidence. 'As an offence, our goal this week is to start fast, but it's going to be a challenge, because that's a very good defence we're playing.' From today's post-practice media 🎥: FULL VIDEOS ➡️ #BCLions | #RoarAsOne B.C. has been moving the ball. The Lions (404.7 yards per game) were third in the league in net offence average going into the week, trailing only the 5-2 Calgary Stampeders (406.3 yards per game) and the 5-1 Roughriders (405.7 yards per game). Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. They aren't capitalizing enough on that success, though, to reiterate the earlier Rourke thought. The Lions (23.3 points per game) were eighth in the league in scoring going into the week. Only the 1-6 Ottawa Redblacks (21.1 points per game) were tallying less. There are clear reasons why. The Lions have a league-worst 19 turnovers on the season, and their minus-10 takeaway/giveaway ratio is at the bottom of that category as well. B.C. was also seventh in the league in penalties (7.9 per game) and penalty yardage (73.3 per game) to start the week, and that included a league-worst 13 flags on special teams. It's a hard team to get a read on right now. Rourke is on a three-game streak of 300-yard passing games and can tie his longest run of such games as a Lion if he can hit the number again Sunday. The matchup with the Tiger-Cats will be his 40th as a Lion. 'We need to first and foremost take care of the ball. We can't turn the ball over,' explained Rourke, the 27-year-old pivot. 'Secondly, we have to keep out of second and long situations. I think we showed the second time when we played Edmonton (in a 32-14 road win on July 14) that when we're second and medium we can be very, very good. If we do that, we put ourselves in a good position. 'Ultimately, we have to score touchdowns.' B.C.'s defence is looking to rally after being picked apart by Saskatchewan veteran quarterback Trevor Harris, who was 23-of-30 for 395 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception last week. Hamilton, who are winners of four straight, are led by another seasoned pivot in Bo Levi Mitchell. Mitchell, 35, has been so good this season that Pat Steinberg at was pegging him the early favourite for Most Outstanding Player honours on Friday . Mitchell came into the week leading the league in passing yards (1,812) and touchdowns (12), with just two interceptions. Hamilton receiver Kenny Lawler led with touchdown receptions (eight), which puts him on pace to better Milt Stegall's CFL 2002 record of 23 by one. Lawler was tops in the CFL in yards receiving (644) starting this week as well. B.C. defensive lineman Mathieu Betts talked Friday about the Lions' troubles being tied to execution. 'It's about playing together,' Betts continued. 'I'm speaking for the D-line and the defence, but it's the same thing with special teams, same thing with the offence. It's a hard thing to do, but when 12 players play together and do their assignments together, that's when we will be dangerous. We just need to do that, starting with play No. 1 on Sunday, and keep it up for three hours and we'll be happy with the result.' @SteveEwen SEwen@
National Post
an hour ago
- National Post
Nathan Rourke: B.C. Lions offence needs to find a way to 'start fast' against Hamilton Sunday
The B.C. Lions have a punctuality problem. The Lions (3-4) head into a Sunday visit to B.C. Place by the Hamilton Tigers-Cats (4-2) having led just once after the first quarter this season, and having been outscored by 34 points in those opening frames so far in the campaign. They've been outscored by 16 points in total to date. Article content Article content B.C. is coming off a 33-27 loss at home to the Saskatchewan Roughriders last week that didn't feel as close as the scoreboard actually read. That's because Saskatchewan seemed to put it into cruise control after going up 17-1 in the first quarter. The Roughriders had a 10-0 cushion, in fact, before Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke had taken his third snap — B.C. went two-and-out on the opening drive and that was followed by a Saskatchewan touchdown, a B.C. turnover on a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and then a Roughrider field goal. Article content 'We have to score more touchdowns and especially early,' Rourke said after practice Friday at the Lions' Surrey headquarters. 'We need to give our defence a little more cushion there, a little more confidence. Article content 'As an offence, our goal this week is to start fast, but it's going to be a challenge, because that's a very good defence we're playing.' Article content B.C. has been moving the ball. The Lions (404.7 yards per game) were third in the league in net offence average going into the week, trailing only the 5-2 Calgary Stampeders (406.3 yards per game) and the 5-1 Roughriders (405.7 yards per game). They aren't capitalizing enough on that success, though, to reiterate the earlier Rourke thought. The Lions (23.3 points per game) were eighth in the league in scoring going into the week. Only the 1-6 Ottawa Redblacks (21.1 points per game) were tallying less. Article content There are clear reasons why. The Lions have a league-worst 19 turnovers on the season, and their minus-10 takeaway/giveaway ratio is at the bottom of that category as well. Article content B.C. was also seventh in the league in penalties (7.9 per game) and penalty yardage (73.3 per game) to start the week, and that included a league-worst 13 flags on special teams. Article content It's a hard team to get a read on right now. Rourke is on a three-game streak of 300-yard passing games and can tie his longest run of such games as a Lion if he can hit the number again Sunday. The matchup with the Tiger-Cats will be his 40th as a Lion. Article content 'We need to first and foremost take care of the ball. We can't turn the ball over,' explained Rourke, the 27-year-old pivot. 'Secondly, we have to keep out of second and long situations. I think we showed the second time when we played Edmonton (in a 32-14 road win on July 14) that when we're second and medium we can be very, very good. If we do that, we put ourselves in a good position. Article content Article content B.C.'s defence is looking to rally after being picked apart by Saskatchewan veteran quarterback Trevor Harris, who was 23-of-30 for 395 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception last week. Hamilton, who are winners of four straight, are led by another seasoned pivot in Bo Levi Mitchell. Article content Mitchell, 35, has been so good this season that Pat Steinberg at was pegging him the early favourite for Most Outstanding Player honours on Friday. Mitchell came into the week leading the league in passing yards (1,812) and touchdowns (12), with just two interceptions.
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
Canadian high diver Simone Leathead wins silver medal at aquatics worlds
Canada's Simone Leathead captured the first world championship medal of her career on Saturday in Singapore, winning silver in the women's 20 metre high dive. The Montreal native moved from fourth place into second on her final dive, an inward three somersaults ½ twist pike, which scored 90 points. WATCH | Leathead captures silver medal in Singapore: Montreal's Simone Leathead wins world championship silver in the 20m high dive 56 minutes ago "Today took a little turn because of the weather, but I'm super happy with what I did. Being able to do six dives to the best of my ability, I'm just super proud," Leathead said after the event. "I'm coming from a diving background and the world championships were always on my 'big dreams list', so to be able to compete and do great and be able to be on the podium is just a very big accomplishment for me." The 22-year-old finished behind Australian veteran Rhiannan Iffland, who lead the standings from start to finish and won gold to secure her fifth world championship title. "I have already achieved four [world titles] in the past, and I was wondering about the possibility of winning a fifth. I came into this event knowing I could be fighting for it, but it wasn't my main goal," the 33-year-old Iffland said. "It's insane, I'm blown away, I'm kinda speechless right now. I never would have thought 10 years ago I would be holding my fifth medal." Rounding out the podium was American teen Maya Kelly, who made history with her bronze-medal performance. The 18-year-old athlete became the youngest-ever medallist in high diving at the world championships.
