REGINA, Sask. — The Saskatchewan Roughriders extended their season-opening win streak to six games on Saturday with a 31-27 victory over the B.C. Lions.
The Riders, who have won every season opener since 2021, overcame a 27-24 fourth quarter deficit when quarterback Trevor Harris connected with Samuel Emilus on a six-yard scoring pass with 48 seconds left. It was Emilus’s third touchdown reception of the game.
It was the first game of the 2026 regular season for both West Division teams as they had byes for Week 1 of the CFL season.
Trailing 24-20 late in the fourth quarter, the Lions took their first and only lead of the game when James Butler scored on a one-yard plunge with 3:42 left. The touchdown, Butler’s second of the game, gave the Lions a 27-24 lead.
The go-ahead drive was kept alive when Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, facing a second-and-11 from the B.C. 49-yard line, connected with Justin McInnis on a 40-yard completion to the Saskatchewan 21-yard line. Butler scored five plays later.
Rourke also scored a rushing touchdown for the Lions, going 15 yards for a major in the second quarter.
The Riders dominated the game early, scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions. After receiving the opening kickoff, Saskatchewan went 64 yards on nine plays to score its first touchdown of the season, an 11-yard pass from Harris to Emilus.
On their next possession, the Riders went 109 yards on 12 plays and increased their lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter on Emilus’s second touchdown catch, a four-yard reception from Harris.
The Riders early control was evident in the statistics as they ran 18 offensive plays to six for the Lions, during the quarter garnering 146 yards of net offence. The Lions had 36 yards of net offence.
The Lions got on the scoreboard midway through the second quarter when Sean Whyte connected on a 25-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 14-3.
After Saskatchewan rookie kicker Alex Hale restored Saskatchewan’s 14-point lead with a 35-yard field goal, the first of his CFL career, Rourke pulled the Lions to within seven points, scoring on a 15-yard run with 2:21 left in the half.
Hale had three field goals for Saskatchewan while Whyte had two for B.C.
Saskatchewan lost veteran defensive back Rolan Milligan to a shoulder injury late in the second quarter. Milligan, the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2024, injured his right shoulder tackling McInnis on a 28-yard reception. Milligan spent the second half on the sideline with an ice wrap on his shoulder.
Lions: Visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1-1) on Friday.
Roughriders: Visit the Calgary Stampeders (0-1) on Saturday, June 20.