Sean Whyte secured a 43-yard game-winning field goal, propelling the B.C. Lions to a 33-30 triumph over the Calgary Stampeders in the West Division semifinal held in Vancouver. Quarterback Nathan Rourke impressed with 223 passing yards, completing 16 of 23 attempts, and also scored a rushing touchdown during the match.
In addition to Rourke’s performance, Jeremiah Masoli contributed a one-yard touchdown, Robert Carter Jr. dashed 95 yards for a kickoff return touchdown, and Whyte successfully kicked four field goals, including the decisive one. On the opposing side, Calgary’s quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. amassed 334 passing yards, completing 23 of 33 passes, with touchdown throws to Clark Barnes and Jalen Philpott. Quincy Vaughn scored a rushing touchdown for the Stampeders, while Rene Paredes made two field goals, one of which was a 50-yarder.
The B.C. Lions are now set to meet the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the West Division final scheduled for November 8 in Regina. Meanwhile, in the East Division semifinal, the Montreal Alouettes defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 42-33, earning a spot in the East final against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, also to be held on November 8. The victors of the division finals will go head-to-head at the Grey Cup in Winnipeg on November 16.