SPORTS WITH HARP: BC Lions suffer another tough loss in Regina

1 July 2025

BC_Lions_June28-4937 — Photo credit: Zachary Peters

BY HARPREET PANDHER

Broadcaster on Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi and

BC Lions Football Punjabi

IG/X/TikTok: @harppandher

THE BC Lions went into Regina this past Saturday still uncertain who would lead them at quarterback. Star pivot Nathan Rourke, dealing with an oblique injury sustained late in Week 2 against Winnipeg, was officially ruled out just two hours before kickoff by head coach and offensive coordinator Buck Pierce. That left 36-year-old veteran Jeremiah Masoli to make his second consecutive start.

Masoli, who threw one interception in relief against Winnipeg in Week 2, continued to struggle under centre. He tossed three interceptions against the Roughriders, including a crushing 89-yard pick-six by Tavon Campbell late in the second quarter. With BC deep in field goal range and trailing by just four, the interception flipped the script — a 10-point swing that shifted all momentum to Saskatchewan. The Lions would never recover.

Masoli did connect with Keon Hatcher for a 15-yard touchdown earlier in the second quarter, giving BC some hope, but the offense sputtered afterward. Despite trailing by 24 points in the final minutes, Coach Pierce kept Masoli in the game until late. Third-stringer Chase Brice finally entered and led a promising drive, capped off by a James Butler rushing touchdown.

Butler finished the game with 149 total yards (123 rushing, 26 receiving) and one touchdown, but also lost a fumble that ended another potential scoring drive. It was another frustrating moment for an offense that couldn’t afford mistakes — and made too many.

To make matters worse, the Lions lost several key players along the way. Defensive lineman Mathieu Betts exited with an arm injury, while DeWayne Hendrix (hamstring), offensive lineman Tyler Packer (head), and linebacker Tyler Coyle (hamstring) all left the game and did not return. The growing list of injuries continues to test BC’s depth on both sides of the ball.

Now riding a three-game losing streak and still unsure about Rourke’s availability for this Saturday’s game in Montreal, the Lions are at a crossroads. If Rourke can’t go, will Pierce stick with the struggling Masoli, or give Chase Brice his first career CFL start? The 25-year-old has been with the club for three seasons and showed promise in limited action — and some feel the time is now.

If Rourke is healthy, he gives BC its best chance to stop the slide. After Montreal, the Lions head to Edmonton to face the Elks on Sunday, July 13, before returning home for the highly anticipated Watermelon Smash against the Saskatchewan Roughriders — set for Saturday, July 19 at Save-On-Foods Field at BC Place Stadium.