The Saskatchewan Roughriders pulled out a miracle Friday night by Cody Fajardo to beat the BC Lions 31-24 at BC Place.
In the first quarter, the Roughriders’ offense moved the ball to the Lions’ 30-yard line before kicker Brett Lauther made a 38-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 9:08 left.
On the Lions second possession, quarterback Mike Reilly threw to Lucky Whitehead. Whitehead used his speed and moved two Roughriders players out of the way to score a 47-yard touchdown. This put the Lions up 7-3.
Roughriders kicker Brett Lauther made his second field goal with 2:29 left in the first quarter, trailing the Lions 7-6. The score remained 7-6 heading into the second quarter.
Midway through the second quarter, Roughriders kicker Brett Lauther made his third field goal of the game, this time for 28-yards to take a 9-7 lead with 8:19 left.
Late in the second quarter, the Lions moved the ball to the Roughriders’ three-yard line. Quarterback Mike Reilly found Lucky Whitehead for the second time on a three-yard touchdown pass that put the Lions back up 14-9 at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Roughriders reached the Lions’ 23-yard line before settling for a field goal. Kicker Brett Lauther made his fourth field goal to only be trailing 14-12 with 9:46 left.
Mike Reilly continued to find Lucky Whitehead as the Lions’ offense reached the Roughriders’ 25-yard line before stalling. Lions kicker Jimmy Camacho made a 32-yard field goal for a 17-12 lead with 5:38 left in the third quarter.
After the Roughriders went two-and-out, Jon Ryan punted the ball, only for Lucky Whitehead to fumble the ball and be recovered by the Roughriders. The Roughriders went down the field before quarterback Cody Fajardo threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Ricardo Louis. They attempted a two-point conversion and failed; however, they led 18-17 with 2:10 left in the third quarter. The Lions had the ball to start the fourth quarter.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Lions marched from their own 41-yard line to reach the Roughriders’ one-yard line. Then, running back Shaquille Cooper rushed in for the touchdown to reclaim a 24-18 lead with 9:28 left.
With 5:33 left in the game, the Lions attempted a field goal, but kicker Jimmy Camacho missed a 50-yarder, giving the Roughriders new life. Roughriders quarterback Cody Fajardo completed every pass until Jalon Edwards-Cooper intercepted his fifth pass. It looked like the game was over. However, the Roughriders’ defense stopped the Lions two-and-out, forcing them to punt.
The Roughriders had one more chance at a comeback. Quarterback Cody Fajardo was gunslinging the ball to his receivers, getting them to the Lions’ five-yard line. However, the Lions’ defense sacked Fajardo for a three-yard loss. Then, he threw a seven-yard pass to Kyran Moore, getting them to the one-yard line.
On third-and-one, Cody Fajardo scored a touchdown with a quarterback sneak, giving them a 25-24 lead with two seconds left.
Lions returner Lucky Whitehead fumbled the ball on the kickoff, and the Roughriders’ special teams sealed the game with a touchdown for a 31-24 win.
Roughriders quarterback Cody Fajardo went 24/31 for 279-yards, one touchdown, one interception, 32-yards rushing, and one rushing touchdown. Running back William Powell had 12 carries for 42-yards. Wide receiver Brayden Lenius led the receivers with five receptions for 76-yards. The defense recorded two sacks, two force fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
For the Lions, quarterback Mike Reilly went 23/34 for 259-yards, two touchdowns, and 17-yards rushing. Running back James Butler had three carries for seven yards. Wide receiver Lucky Whitehead finished the night with six receptions for 111-yards, and two touchdowns. The defense recorded four sacks and one interception.
Next week, the Lions host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday, October 1st, at 10 pm on ESPNews. The Roughriders visit the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday, October 2nd, at 7 pm on ESPN+.
