VANCOUVER — T. J. Lee knew the exact mindset the B.C. Lions defence needed against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. “Grit,” said the veteran defensive back. “Having a grit mentality. Taking the initiative to pick the ball off, being aggressive-minded. Studying film, working together and collaborating.” Quarterback Nathan Rourke threw two touchdown passes and the B.C. defence forced several key turnovers for a 30-16 victory over the Roughriders on Sunday. Lee and Stantley Thomas-Oliver both had interceptions. Defensive end Lorenzo Mauldin sacked 'Riders quarterback Trevor Harris twice, while defensive tackle Casey Sayles also had a sack. “Our biggest thing with the front seven was put pressure on (quarterback) Trevor Harris,” said Mauldin, who came out of retirement last month to join the Lions. “Be able to understand he likes to get the ball out quick, so we need to be able to collapse the pocket and make sure he doesn’t step up. “If we do our job, everybody will come out with a win.” Lions head coach Buck Pierce praised his defence for making big plays at the right time. “One of the best things about them is they’re able to stay in the moment, refocus after a big play,” said Pierce. “To take the ball away like they did and continue to work. It’s a group that's hungry to be great.” Rourke finished the night completing 22 of 28 passes for 355 yards and one interception. He threw a 23-yard touchdown to Jevon Cottoy and a four-yard toss for a major to Keon Hatcher Sr. Running back Zander Horvath also scored on a one-yard plunge. The touchdown was Horvath’s seventh in the last four games, with six of them coming on the ground. Cottoy finished the night with six catches for 110 yards. A crowd of 30,083 at BC Place Stadium watched the Lions win their fourth straight game to improve to 5-5 and move into a third-place tie with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL's West Division. Sean Whyte kicked field goals of 25, 35 and 44 yards. Rourke was happy with the win, lauded his defence, but was disappointed with his own play. “Our defence is playing incredible,” said last year’s Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian. “I think we owe this one to them. I don’t particularly feel like I played the way I know I’m capable of playing. Our defence made a ton of great plays to keep us in it. “That should have been a way higher scoring game than it was. I just feel like I’ve got to be better in this stretch.” A brilliant catch by Stanley Berryhill set up one of the Lions touchdowns. Berryhill caught the ball between two Saskatchewan defenders, took a big hit, and still managed to turn the play into a 58-yard gain. Harris completed 28 of 42 passes for 356 yards, one touchdown and the two picks. He connected with Dhel Duncan-Busby on a 32-yard scoring play in the fourth quarter. Alex Hale hit on field goals of 47, 25 and 24 yards. It was the second consecutive loss for the defending Grey Cup champion Roughriders, who remain in second place with a 6-4 record. The Riders were their own worst enemy, giving up turnovers and taking costly penalties. Saskatchewan was flagged for seven penalties for 72 yards. In the second quarter Saskatchewan was moving the ball on the possession after the Lions first touchdown when Harris looked for slotback KeeSean Johnson in the end zone. The pass was underthrown, allowing Lee to record his third interception of the year. Later, Saskatchewan looked to have tied the game but a 49-yard pass and run to Quali Conley was called back due to an illegal block penalty. On the next series Harris hit Johnny Johnson III for a 36-yard gain, but Lions defensive back Deontai Williams stripped the ball away. Early in the third quarter the Riders thought they had recovered a fumbled punt for a touchdown, but the play was called back for a no-yards penalty. A few plays later a Saskatchewan interception as wiped out by an offside penalty. “Turnovers hurt us,” said Saskatchewan head coach Corey Mace. “We took three costly penalties. “We’ve just got to protect the football a little bit better on offence and continue to push to find ways to get it back for us.” UP NEXT Roughriders: Host the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday. Lions: Visit the Ottawa Redblacks on Sunday, Aug. 30. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 23, 2026. Jim Morris, The Canadian Press
