The B.C. Lions secured a 33-30 victory over the Calgary Stampeders in the West Division semifinal as Sean Whyte nailed a 43-yard game-winning field goal in Vancouver. Quarterback Nathan Rourke impressed with 223 passing yards on 16 completions out of 23 attempts and also scored a rushing touchdown. Jeremiah Masoli and Robert Carter Jr. added touchdowns for the Lions, with Carter Jr. showcasing a remarkable 95-yard kickoff return. Whyte’s accurate kicking, including four field goals, sealed the win for B.C.
Calgary’s quarterback, Vernon Adams Jr., threw for 334 yards against his former team, completing 23 of 33 passes and throwing touchdowns to Clark Barnes and Jalen Philpott. Quincy Vaughn contributed a rushing touchdown for the Stampeders, while Rene Paredes made two field goals, one from 50 yards out.
The Lions will now advance to the West Division final against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina on Nov. 8. In the East Division semifinal, the Montreal Alouettes triumphed over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers with a score of 42-33, setting up a clash with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East final on the same date. The winners of the two division finals will meet at the Grey Cup in Winnipeg on Nov. 16.