VANCOUVER – T. J. Lee knew the exact mindset the B.C. Lions defence needed against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
“Grit,” said the veteran defensive back. “Having a grit mentality. Taking the initiative to pick the ball off, being aggressive-minded. Studying film, working together and collaborating.”
Quarterback Nathan Rourke threw two touchdown passes and the B.C. defence forced several key turnovers for a 30-16 victory over the Roughriders on Sunday.
Lee and Stantley Thomas-Oliver both had interceptions. Defensive end Lorenzo Mauldin sacked ‘Riders quarterback Trevor Harris twice, while defensive tackle Casey Sayles also had a sack.
“Our biggest thing with the front seven was put pressure on (quarterback) Trevor Harris,” said Mauldin, who came out of retirement last month to join the Lions. “Be able to understand he likes to get the ball out quick, so we need to be able to collapse the pocket and make sure he doesn’t step up.
“If we do our job, everybody will come out with a win.”
Lions head coach Buck Pierce praised his defence for making big plays at the right time.
“One of the best things about them is they’re able to stay in the moment, refocus after a big play,” said Pierce. “To take the ball away like they did and continue to work. It’s a group that’s hungry to be great.” Rourke finished the night completing 22 of 28 passes for 355 yards and one interception. He threw a 23-yard touchdown to Jevon Cottoy and a four-yard toss for a major to Keon Hatcher Sr.
Running back Zander Horvath also scored on a one-yard plunge. The touchdown was Horvath’s seventh in the last four games, with six of them coming on the ground.
Cottoy finished the night with six catches for 110 yards.
A crowd of 30,083 at BC Place Stadium watched the Lions win their fourth straight game to improve to 5-5 and move into a third-place tie with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL’s West Division.
Sean Whyte kicked field goals of 25, 35 and 44 yards.
Rourke was happy with the win, lauded his defence, but was disappointed with his own play.
“Our defence is playing incredible,” said last year’s Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian. “I think we owe this one to them. I don’t particularly feel like I played the way I know I’m capable of playing. Our defence made a ton of great plays to keep us in it.
“That should have been a way higher scoring game than it was. I just feel like I’ve got to be better in this stretch.”
