Vancouver, BC (Best E Casino) - Buck Pierce passed for 336 yards and two touchdowns and the British Columbia Lions held on for 28-23 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in a Western division clash. Pierce was 18-of-33 passing while Geroy Simon burned the Saskatchewan defense for 142 yards on seven catches, including a fourth-quarter, 77-yard TD to give the Lions (6-5) a cushion. Paris Jackson contributed with six grabs for 126 yards and a score while Charles Roberts found the end zone with 56 yards rushing on nine attempts. Michael Bishop hit on 16-of-29 pass attempts for 298 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Roughriders (8-3). Weston Dressler had five receptions for 112 yards and Wes Cates ran for 122 yards on 15 carries and found the end zone. Pierce hit Simon for a 77-yard score with just under 3 1/2 minutes left to play, giving B.C. a 28-16 advantage. Bishop brought the 'Riders back down the field 77 yards on five plays in just 1:14 and Cates took it in from one yard out to make it 28-23 with 1:46 remaining, but a 3rd-and-12 Cam Wake sack on Saskatchewan's final possession sealed the win for B.C. The kickers were busy in the first half with Saskatchewan's Luca Congi connecting on three field goals from 45, 20 and 39 yards while Paul McCallum provided B.C. with a single and a 45-yard field goal. Roberts' 18-yard TD run with just under three minutes to go in the half ultimately helped the Lions to their 11-9 halftime advantage. McCallum's 37-yard boot, the lone tally of the third stanza, gave B.C. a 14-9 lead and helped set up a wild final quarter. Pierce found Jackson for a 43-yard TD strike on the first play of the fourth but Bishop answered by taking the 'Riders 89 yards on six plays and hooked up with Adam Nicholson on a five-yard score to cut the lead to 21-16 with 10:42 to play. Game Notes Saskatchewan is 4-2 on the road and 3-3 within its own division. B.C. is 4-2 at home but just 2-4 against Western opponents...Wake had two sacks and a forced fumble for the Lions coming off Defensive Player of the Week honors. |
