By Harp Pandher

The BC Lions delivered one of their most complete performances of the season Saturday night, defeating the Montreal Alouettes 48-29 in front of 23,083 fans at Save-
On-Foods Field at BC Place.
But the excitement started well before kickoff. For the first time in franchise history, the Lions hosted an official tailgate, bringing a strong
Punjabi flavour to the pre-game festivities. Bakra Chef was on site preparing a whole bakra live, while Vancouver Meat Market kept the
grills going with its famous tandoori chicken for more than four hours. The response was immediate, with fans lining up to get a taste as the food became one of the biggest attractions of the afternoon.
It was a memorable way to bring the Punjabi community and Lions fans together before the game and carried the energy into BC Place Stadium.
Once the football started, the Lions delivered their own statement.
The win improves BC to 7-6 and keeps them tied with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for third place in the West Division, just two points behind the second-place Saskatchewan Roughriders. Balanced Attack Paves the Way
This game had everything! Big plays, turnovers, touchdowns and plenty of extracurricular activity.
The Lions jumped out to a 17-0 lead after Casey Sayles intercepted Davis Alexander and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown. Montreal answered quickly, with Alexander finding Tyson
Philpot for a touchdown before Tyrice Beverette's strip-sack of Nathan Rourke set up another Montreal score.
Just like that, a 17-13 game was on.
The Lions responded before halftime, with Keon Hatcher Sr. finding the end zone and Rourke adding a 14-yard rushing touchdown to give BC a 31-23 lead at the break.
For Rourke, it was an important bounce-back performance. He finished 24-of-33 for 317 yards, one passing touchdown, one rushing touchdown and no interceptions.

The Lions also received another big performance from Zander Horvath, who scored twice in the second half to finish with three touchdowns on the night.
Horvath now has 19 touchdowns this season, putting him just three away from Cory Philpot's BC Lions franchise record of 22, set in 1995.
Defence Continues to Make Plays While the offence put up 48 points, the defence played a major role in the victory.
Sayles' pick-six gave BC the early momentum, while the Lions defence limited Montreal to just two field goals in the second half.
Darnell Sankey also came up with another important short-yardage stop, denying Terry Wilson on a third-and-one opportunity in the red zone.
Perfect in the Red Zone
One of the biggest positives for Buck Pierce and the Lions was their efficiency inside the red zone.
BC went 5 for 5 in red zone opportunities, turning every trip into a touchdown.
The offence produced 429 yards of net offence, while Rourke finished with 394 total yards,
including 77 on the ground.
BC also controlled the football for 36:59.
A Chippy Affair
It was also a physical and emotional night, with 18 total penalties between the two teams,
including 11 against Montreal.
Things boiled over in the third quarter following a fumble return that was overturned, with
players from both teams getting involved near the Alouettes' sideline.

The Week Begins With Some Transactions in the Den
The BC Lions announced the signings of four Americans to the practice roster: defensive
lineman T.J. Burke, defensive back Thomas Graham, quarterback Chris Oladokun and defensive
back Jordan Oladokun.

Burke returns to BC after spending training camp and August on the Lions' practice roster. He
recorded 113 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 13 sacks in 47 games at Lehigh University.
Graham, a sixth-round pick of Chicago in 2021, brings NFL experience after appearing in 11
games with the Bears and one with Pittsburgh. At Oregon, he recorded 182 tackles and eight
interceptions in 40 games.
Chris Oladokun was a seventh-round pick of Pittsburgh in 2022 and spent the last several
seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, earning Super Bowl rings in 2023 and 2024. At South
Dakota State, he threw for 3,164 yards and 25 touchdowns in his senior season.
His brother Jordan joins him in BC after college stops at Samford and Bowling Green. He
recorded nine interceptions and 31 pass breakups in 37 games at Bowling Green.
The Lions also announced Monday that American quarterback Chase Brice has been released
from the roster.

Next Up: Saskatchewan
The Lions now head into their third and final bye week of the regular season.
They return Friday, September 25, to host the Saskatchewan Roughriders in a crucial West
Division matchup.
Saskatchewan enters at 8-5 after a 19-6 loss to Winnipeg on Saturday.
With five games remaining, the Lions have put themselves right in the middle of the Western
playoff race.

Tune in to BC Lions Football on Sher-E-Punjab AM600 presented in part by Vancouver Meat
Market:

Saskatchewan Roughriders at B.C. Lions Friday, September 25 th at 7:30p.m. at Save on
Foods Field at B.C. Place Stadium