The B.C. Lions secured a thrilling 33-30 victory over the Calgary Stampeders in the West Division semifinal as Sean Whyte nailed a game-winning 43-yard field goal. Nathan Rourke, the Lions’ quarterback, threw for 223 yards on 16 of 23 completions and also scored a rushing touchdown. B.C. saw contributions from Jeremiah Masoli with a one-yard major, Robert Carter Jr. with a remarkable 95-yard kickoff return touchdown, and Whyte’s four successful field goals, including the decisive one.
On the other side, Calgary’s Vernon Adams Jr. put up an impressive 334 passing yards against his former team, completing 23 of 33 passes with touchdown throws to Clark Barnes and Jalen Philpott. Quincy Vaughn added a rushing touchdown, and Rene Paredes kicked two field goals, one from 50 yards out.
The Lions will advance to the West Division final against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina on November 8. In the East Division semifinal, the Montreal Alouettes overcame the Winnipeg Blue Bombers with a 42-33 win, setting up a clash with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East final on the same day. The victors of these division finals will meet at the Grey Cup in Winnipeg on November 16.