SPORTS WITH HARP: Lions defeat Blue Bombers behind Horvath, Salter

1 August 2026

zzzzz BC_Lions_July30-2519 — Photo Credits: Zachary Peters

BY HARP PANDHER

THE BC Lions returned to BC Place looking to get their season back on track after a difficult stretch to open 2026.

With FIFA events making BC Place unavailable, the Lions began the season with Touchdown Kelowna, splitting two home games at Apple Bowl in Kelowna by losing to the Calgary Stampeders before defeating the Edmonton Elks.

The momentum disappeared the following week as BC dropped a 26-12 decision to the Toronto Argonauts. Backup quarterback Chase Brice started after Nathan Rourke was injured on the second offensive play the previous week in Edmonton. Despite another solid defensive effort, Bryce threw one touchdown pass and four interceptions in a 19-17 loss to the Elks.

Late in the Toronto game, rookie quarterback Kaiden Salter provided a spark with his athleticism, earning his first CFL start on a short week against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The former Liberty Flames and Colorado Buffaloes quarterback, and cousin of Former Lions QB Casey Printers, made the most of his opportunity.

The Lions hadn’t won at Princess Auto Stadium since June 2024, but that changed Thursday night.

BC’s defense set the tone early, forcing Winnipeg to settle for field goals on two red-zone possessions. Zander Horvath scored late in the first half to keep the Lions within striking distance.

After Sergio Castillo and Sean White exchanged field goals in the third quarter, Drew Brown found Tim White for a two-yard touchdown to give Winnipeg a 16-10 lead entering the fourth.

White’s 42-yard field goal cut the deficit to three before Castillo restored Winnipeg’s six-point advantage at 19-13.

Then Salter and Horvath took over.

With 4:50 remaining, Salter connected with Jermaine Jackson on a 24-yard touchdown pass his first in the CFL to put BC ahead 20-19. Jackson made the most of his lone target of the game.

Minutes later, Horvath broke loose for a 58-yard touchdown run. Buck Pierce then gambled on a two-point conversion, and it paid off. After a direct snap to Horvath, Keon Hatcher took a reverse, rolled left and threw back to Salter in the end zone to give the Lions a 28-19 advantage.

Horvath put the game away with a 35-yard touchdown run with 2:09 remaining, completing a three-touchdown performance in BC’s 35-19 victory.

Salter added 160 rushing yards, setting a new franchise record for rushing yards by a BC quarterback, breaking Jimmy Walden’s mark that had stood since 1960.

The Lions also rushed for a franchise-record 377 yards, eclipsing a team record that had stood since 1969.

BC now returns home to Save-on-Foods Field at BC Place to face the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Week 10. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m., with Fan Fest and the Backyard Party beginning beforehand. Every game ticket includes free weekday admission to the PNE, with single-game tickets starting at $19.