BC Lions fall short in redemption against Winnipeg Blue Bombers in week 3

MEGAN SWAIN/ GATG

The BC Lions kicked off Week 3 at home in a rematch against their Week 2 opponent, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, where they fell in a 34–20 defeat.

As the Lions looked to bounce back on Saturday, they started Jeremiah Masoli at QB, as Nathan Rourke was still out with an injury. This was Masoli’s sixtieth career start in his 12 seasons, but his first start in his first season with the Lions. Masoli threw for 281 yards and 1 touchdown.

Wasting no time, the Blue Bombers immediately took control of the game in the first quarter. Their opening drive chewed more than half of the quarter's time, finishing with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Zach Collaros to receiver Dalton Schoen to get the Bombers on the board first.

Masoli and the Lions responded with a 70-yard drive down the field, which resulted in a 22-yard field goal early in the second quarter by Sean Whyte.

However, the momentum quickly shifted back in the Blue Bombers’ favour. A short pass from Masoli to RB James Butler was fumbled and scooped up by Bombers DB Jamal Parker, who returned it for a touchdown to extend the lead.

Just before the two-minute warning before halftime, Lions DB Cristophe Beaulieu intercepted a shotgun pass from Collaros and returned it 45 yards to the Lions’ 50-yard line. However, the drive was short-lived, as Masoli threw two incomplete passes, forcing the Lions to punt on third down.

The third quarter saw minimal offensive action, with both teams managing only a field goal each.

At the midpoint of the fourth quarter, Collaros threw a shotgun pass to Blue Bombers offensive lineman Tui Eli for his first-ever career touchdown, extending their lead to 27–6.

With just 2:08 left on the clock, Robert Carter Jr. intercepted a throw from Collaros and returned it for 3 yards. This turnover led to a touchdown drive and a successful 2-point conversion for the Lions, leaving the scoreboard at 27–14.

After the game, Masoli reflected on his performance and the team’s missed opportunities:

“Definitely room for improvement. It was good to be out there and just putting some long drives together with the boys. But the opportunities that we had and missed, we've got to be able to cash in on those versus a good team."

The Lions, now 1–2, will begin a three-game road trip starting with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday, June 28. Their next home game is scheduled for Saturday, July 19, 2025, at BC Place.