The Saskatchewan Roughriders defeated the BC Lions 28–19 at Mosaic Stadium on November 2, 2024, earning a place in the Canadian Football League’s West Division Final. A balanced offence built the lead, while three interceptions stopped BC’s attempt to recover late in the Western Semi-Final.
BC struck first
Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. connected with Jevon Cottoy for a 56-yard touchdown on the opening drive. A missed conversion left BC ahead 6–0. Saskatchewan answered through Brett Lauther field goals and a one-yard A.J. Ouellette touchdown run.
Justin McInnis caught a touchdown pass in the final minute of the second quarter, and the successful conversion made the score 13–13 at halftime. The even score reflected a game in which both teams had produced long completions but neither had control.
Ouellette changed the second half
Ouellette broke through contact for a 30-yard touchdown in the third quarter, giving Saskatchewan a 20–13 advantage. He finished with 70 rushing yards on 14 carries and added two receptions for 15 yards.
BC kicker Sean Whyte made field goals from 36 and 17 yards, narrowing the margin to one point early in the fourth quarter. Another attempt had struck the upright, a missed opportunity in what remained a close contest.
The decisive scoring drive
Trevor Harris completed consecutive gains to KeeSean Johnson and Samuel Emilus before finding Jerreth Sterns for a 13-yard touchdown. A successful two-point conversion extended the score to 28–19.
Harris completed 26 of 33 passes for 279 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Emilus was his leading target, catching nine passes for 106 yards. The absence of an offensive turnover allowed Saskatchewan’s defence to dictate the closing minutes.
Three interceptions
Former Lion Marcus Sayles intercepted Adams earlier in the game. Nelson Lokombo recorded the first interception of his CFL career with fewer than five minutes remaining, ending a drive while BC trailed by two scores.
On the Lions’ final possession, Rolan Milligan Jr. made another interception to seal the result. Milligan was the West Division nominee for the league’s outstanding defensive player award and had led the CFL with eight interceptions during the regular season.
Context for both teams
Saskatchewan had finished 9–8–1 and hosted its first playoff game since 2021. The club’s regular-season turnover margin was a league-best plus 26, and the semi-final followed that identity.
Adams threw for 317 yards and two touchdowns, and BC moved the ball effectively at times. The Lions’ late need for aggressive passes increased risk, but the interceptions still required Saskatchewan defenders to recognize and complete the plays.
What came next
The victory sent the Roughriders to Winnipeg to face the Blue Bombers on November 9 for a place in the 111th Grey Cup. It did not itself win the division or the championship.
The semi-final was decided by more than one late interception: Ouellette’s two touchdowns, Harris’s efficient passing and a defence that converted pressure into three takeaways combined to turn a tied game into a nine-point Saskatchewan win.
