2007 BC Lions season

"at Mosaic Stadium, Regina, SK

The B.C. Lions capitalized on the Saskatchewan Roughriders' mistakes to win the battle of the two unbeaten West teams 42-12 Friday. Riders penalties, fumbles and interceptions were abundant and as a result, the home team was no threat to win the game for most of the evening. The Riders briefly brought the subdued crowd of 26,981 back into the game in the second with a Matt Dominguez touchdown, but they couldn't recover and allowed two touchdowns in the last minute of the game. Joe Smith found the end zone twice for the Lions (3-0-0), while Jason Clermont had seven receptions for 68 yards. In the second quarter however, the Lions would lose quarterbacks Dave Dickenson and Buck Pierce to injuries leaving third-stringer Jarious Jackson to finish the game.

Week 4: vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats

"at BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, BC

The Saskatchewan Roughriders took advantage of a third-string quarterback, and running back Wes Cates had a big game with over 100 yards rushing as they defeated the B.C. Lions 21-9 Thursday night to hand the defending Grey Cup champions their first loss of the CFL season. A crowd of 31,858 saw the Riders improve their record to 4-2 and move to within two points of the first-place Lions in the CFL West. B.C. dropped to 5-1. The Lions were forced to start third-string quarterback Jarious Jackson because of injuries to Dave Dickenson andBuck Pierce. Jackson, who came off the bench three times this season to preserve Lions wins, showed some flashes but struggled in his first CFL start. He completed 16 of 38 passes for 183 yards, threw one touchdown pass but was intercepted three times.

Week 7: vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers

"at BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, BC

Joe Smith's power and Ian Smart's speed delivered a knockout blow for the B.C. Lions in their 46-14 CFL romp over the Montreal Alouettes. Smith, the bruising running back, smashed and crashed for 161 yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns as the Lions halted a three-game winless skid in convincing style. Smith and his speedy backfield partner Smart, sliced and slashed for a pair touchdowns and had 63 yards on 10 carries as the Lions climbed back into first place in the CFL West. The pair's effectiveness showed on Smart's first touchdown in the fourth quarter. With the Lions knocking on Montreal's door, everyone in the roaring crowd of 32,115 expected Smith to get the ball. Instead, quarterback Jarious Jackson faked the ball to Smith, then tossed it to Smart who blazed nine yards for the touchdown.

The Lions shredded the Montreal defence - ranked second in the league against both the pass and run - for 420 yards. B.C. rushed for a combined 275 yards, with Jackson, making just his second CFL start, adding 46 yards on three carries.

While the running backs rumbled the Lions defence roared as defensive back Ryan Phillips stepped in front of an Anthony Calvillo pass in the third quarter and returned his CFL-leading seventh interception 92 yards for a touchdown. Besides throwing the interception, Calvillo was sacked five times, forced to hurry several throws and at times was left looking dazed and confused. He was shaken up but left the field on his on steam after a sack by Jamall Johnson in the fourth quarter.

The win improved the Lions record to 6-2-1 and moves them one point ahead of Saskatchewan in the CFL West. While Montreal's loss continued their on-going frustration when playing at B.C. Place Stadium which they haven't won in since 2000.

Week 11: at Montreal Alouettes

"at Mosaic Stadium, Regina, SK

The B.C. Lions pawed their way to an unlikely 37-34 victory on Saturday night, dampening and darkening the party mood among 28,800 fans at the sold out Mosaic Stadium, when Geroy Simon caught the game-winning 33-yard touch down catch with 34 seconds remaining in the game.

The Lions offence couldn't get anything going in the first half, outside of the line creating holes and Joe Smith churning up yardage. B.C. quarterback, Jarious Jackson was only 3-of-14 for 28 yards passing in the first half, while the Saskatchewan Roughriders marched three times for an early 22-7 lead in the first 16 minutes of the game. The Riders even had 200-plus more yards in offence than the Lions at the end of the first half.

Tensions between the two teams erupted before the end of the first half when Riders tackle Scott Schultz had rolled on to Jarious Jackson that caused B.C. guard Sherko Haji-Rasouli to throw in punches and eventually popped Schultz's helmet off. Meanwhile, Rob Murphy was standing over Saskatchewan rush end John Click, while his left hand was on Chick's chin strap and his right arm was cocked and ready. In the end, the referee ended up giving penalties to Rob Murphy and Scott Schultz for unnecessary roughness and decided to eject B.C. receiver Cory Rodgers out of the game during the melee, who had earlier caught two of Jackson's three completed first half passes, one of them resulting in a touchdown. Riders' GM Eric Tillman eventually followed Lions' President Bobby Ackles into the hallway yelling "That's not in the rulebook! That's not in the rulebook!"

In the second half, Jackson became more effective completing his first six passes and eventually Joe Smith ran in for a 3-yard touchdown to cut Saskatchewan's lead to 24-22. Then with momentum on their side, the Lions decided on a 3rd and 1, to keep their drive alive on their own 15-yard line. Instead, Saskatchewan's defence was able to sack Jackson before he crossed the first down marker causing a turnover on downs. With good field position Kerry Joseph was able to complete Saskatchewan's drive when he ran in the end zone making it a 31-22, Roughriders lead.

But in the fourth quarter, Jackson would complete a 5-yard TD pass to Jason Clermont to cut the Riders lead to 31-29. The Riders only score in the fourth quarter came when kicker Luca Congi kicked a 25-yard field goal to make it a 34-29 Riders lead. However, late in the game, with the Roughriders leading 34-30, Jackson was able to find Geroy Simon in the end zone for a 33-yard touchdown on a third down play to give the Lions the lead and the win with just 34 seconds left.

The Lions (8-3-1) defence then took over picking off a Kerry Joseph pass on the 'Riders' last-gasp drive to hang on and extend the club's lead atop the West Division by three points.

Week 14: vs. Calgary Stampeders

"at BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, BC"

This was the final game of the BC Lion's regular season. After the game the Lions finished the season with a record of 14-3-1. The final score of this game was 25-24 for the Lions. The Calgary Stampeders tried to win the game at the last moment with no time left on the clock by attempting a field goal. The field goal was attempted but, it failed because the ball bounced off of the pole, which gave The Lions another big win.

Postseason

This was the third meeting in four years between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the B.C. Lions in the Western Final.

References