The BC Lions head into the definitely hostile confines of New Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Saskatchewan Sunday to face a Saskatchewan Roughriders team needing a win badly to keep pace in the tight West division race.
This is the second in a back-to-back series between the two teams. BC won the first game last week 30-15 at BC Place Stadium.
The 2-4 Roughriders are last in the West and winless against West division opponents so far in 2017 and have not beaten the 5-2 Lions since 2014, a stretch of seven games.
The third place Lions have been averaging 31.4 points a game while allowing 25.9. Saskatchewan is further down the list in both categories at 26 and 27.3. BC leads the league in rushing touchdowns with 12 but the Roughriders defense has been the best against the run having allowed just two. Although the Roughriders have posted 13 passing touchdowns, they have also allowed a league-worst 13.
Saskatchewan quarterback Kevin Glenn is seventh in the league in passing yardage but with a 70% completion percentage. He has tossed 11 touchdown passes. However, in last weekend’s game he threw for just 186 yards for his lowest passing output this year and was relieved by backup Brandon Bridge. Nevertheless, he will get the start in this game. His leading receiver is Namaan Roosevelt with 458 yards while Duron Carter has caught four touchdown passes, good for second in the league.
Saskatchewan WR Duron Carter getting leveled by BC defender Photo: The Canadian Press
The BC Lions quarterbacking duo of Travis Lulay (1,437) and Jonathan Jennings (853) have combined for 2,290 yards. With Jennings healthy enough to return to action he may well get the start in this game. Lulay has been outstanding in relief and engineered three of a possible four wins in Jennings absence. Bryan Brunham has been impressive as the favorite target of both quarterbacks and has recorded 546 yards receiving.
Lions running back Jeremiah Johnson is the second leading rusher in the CFL with 417 yards on 68 carries and five touchdowns. He will be facing the best rush defense in the league today though. Although Riders running back Cameron Marshall only gained a total of 28 yards last week as Saskatchewan was forced to play catch up football, he remains the fifth leading rusher with 344 yards.
The Lions remain first in the CFL in red zone production at 22 for 28, a 78.6 percent conversion rate. In total, the offense has scored 22 offensive touchdowns on exactly 100 possessions. That 22 percent rate is tied with Edmonton for second in the league. Calgary leads at 25 percent.
As Lions head coach, Wally Buono is 21-8 all-time in games that are part of back-to-back regular season meetings. The only time he ever got swept was last year in a home and home series with the Blue Bombers.
New Mosaic Stadium will be filled to its 30,000 seat capacity. Expect the crowd to be a factor.
AFI, Yare Media and the CFL
American Football International is collaborating with Yare Media and the Canadian Football League to present 2017 CFL games live. This is more than a livestream. This is a stream of the top flight TSN network television broadcast.
If you can’t watch it live, each game is available for 48 hours after the original broadcast.
LIVE STREAM PPV: CFL – BC Lions @Saskatchewan Roughriders, Aug. 13 @ 8p EDT (Aug. 14 @ 2a CEST)