Redblacks hoping first victory of CFL season will come against Lions

Earlier this week, the Redblacks fired vice-president of football operations Shawn Burke and announced the hiring of Jim Popp as a senior football adviser. They were the latest personnel changes in a season that has fallen far short of expectations.

The Lions, meanwhile, are coming off a 30-16 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders that extended their winning streak to four games.

B.C.’s taut defence will make things difficult for Ottawa quarterback Jake Maier, who has struggled this season. Maier, who’s averaging 7.5 yards per attempt, was ranked last among starters entering Week 13, well below the league average of 8.9.

“I try not to think about the past anymore, I think it’s just about here we are,” said Maier. “We’ve got a good team coming in (that’s) playing really well, but I think we need to just play well.

“And if that’s good enough to earn us a win, then that’s great.”

Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke has thrown for over 300 yards in three straight games. B.C.’s run game is averaging 112.8 yards per game, third-best in the CFL.

Ottawa’s defence has struggled to contain opposing offences all season. The Redblacks have surrendered an average of 435.8 net yards per game, including 329.6 through the air, while allowing opponents to convert 56.7 per cent of their second-down opportunities.

Defensive back Marcus Barnes admitted the losses have been tough, but said the players continue to put the work in to turn things around.

“We’re not going to make excuses or let it kind of break us,” Barnes says. “You can see everybody wants that win (as) bad as hell, like we’re hungry for it. So I don’t think that will be a problem.”

LIONS (5-5) AT REDBLACKS (1-10)

BAD HISTORY: A loss Sunday would put Maier on the wrong side of history. No CFL quarterback has ever lost 11 starts in a row to start a season. Maier is the fourth quarterback to start a season 0-10.

RUNNING HOT: B.C.’s Justin McInnis has 12 catches for 292 yards and a TD in his last three games. He made his 300th career reception last week.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 29, 2026.

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Redblacks hoping first victory of CFL season will come against Lions

Our Community