Roughriders bring their record to 4-0 after win over B.C. Lions

Jeff DeDekker · The Canadian Press

· Posted: Jun 29, 2025 11:34 AM EDT | Last Updated: 35 minutes ago

The Saskatchewan Roughriders won the conflict of backup quarterbacks Saturday by defeating the B.C. Lions 37-18 astatine Mosaic Stadium.

Jake Maier, replacing injured starter Trevor Harris, made his archetypal commencement for the Riders portion Jeremiah Masoli started for the Lions for the 2nd consecutive week with Nathan Rourke sidelined with an oblique injury.

The triumph improves Saskatchewan's grounds to 4-0, portion the Lions driblet to 1-3.

Saskatchewan tailback A.J. Ouellette, a prized free-agent signing past season, had his archetypal 100-yard rushing crippled for the Riders, gaining 139 yards connected 23 carries. His erstwhile azygous crippled precocious for the Riders was 98 yards connected 20 carries successful a 36-20 triumph implicit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats connected June 23, 2024.

Taking a 16-7 pb into the 3rd quarter, the Riders opened the 2nd fractional with a 10-play, 69-yard scoring thrust that ate up fractional of the quarter. Ouellette capped the thrust with a nine-yard transportation astir the near extremity for a touchdown, expanding the Riders pb to 22-7. The Riders came up abbreviated connected a two-point conversion attempt.

The Riders sealed the triumph with 11 consecutive points successful the 4th quarter, After a azygous from punter Joe Couch, his 2nd of the game, and Lauther's 4th tract goal, Maier deed Del Duncan-Busby connected a 42-yard touchdown walk with 3:16 near successful the crippled to marque the scored 34-10 for the Riders.

The 4th fourth scoring was acceptable up by 2 interceptions from the Saskatchewan defence with Rolan Milligan and Antoine Brooks making the turnovers.

B.C.'s James Butler scored connected a four-yard tally with 2:09 near successful the game. He past scored the ensuing two-point person to chopped the Saskatchewan pb to 34-18. Butler besides eclipsed the 100-yard mark, gaining 115 yards connected 15 carries.

Lauther, who struggled successful the archetypal 3 games of the play making conscionable 4 of 8 tract goals, kicked his 5th tract extremity of the crippled with six seconds left. The kick, from 25 yards, made the scored 37-18.

The archetypal fractional was a communicative of 2 quarters. The Riders controlled play successful the archetypal quarter, taking a 6-0 pb connected 2 tract goals by Lauther.

The Lions recovered their footing successful the 2nd 4th and took a 7-6 pb connected a 15-yard touchdown walk from Masoli to Keon Hatcher. The play completed a six-play, 99-yard thrust that included 53 yards rushing connected 3 carries by Butler.

Although the Riders regained the pb connected Lauther's 3rd tract extremity of the half, the Lions appeared to beryllium poised to people successful the dying seconds of the half. On a first-down play connected the Saskatchewan 29-yard line, Masoli tried to link with Hatcher connected the acold sideline. Saskatchewan cornerback Tevaughn Campbell jumped the way and had wide sailing to the B.C. extremity zone. The 89-yard return, coming connected the last play of the half, enactment the Riders connected apical 16-7.

It was rather the crook of events for the Lions, who appeared to person scored connected a 44-yard walk from Masoli to Justin McInnis 3 plays earlier. However, an offside punishment against McInnis negated the touchdown.

Both teams ran the shot good successful the fractional with Butler totalling 92 yards connected 11 carries portion Ouellette gained 79 yards connected 8 carries for the Riders.

Maier finished 13 of 23 passing for 170 yards and 1 touchdown, portion Masoli completed 16 of 29 passes for 173 yards with 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions.