Riders crush Lions to secure home playoff game

Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back C.J. Reavis (1) celebrates with defensive back DaMarcus Fields (22) and defensive back Nelson Lokombo (21) after recovering a fumble against the B.C. Lions during the first half of CFL football action in Regina, on Saturday, October 12, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

The Saskatchewan Roughriders will host their first playoff game at Mosaic Stadium since 2021 after a convincing 39-8 win over the B.C. Lions on Saturday night.

It was also their fourth straight win since returning from a bye-week improving their record to 9-7-1.

The Green and White can also still take first place in the CFL’s West Division. To do that they will need to defeat the Calgary Stampeders in their final game of the regular season and see Winnipeg lose in Montreal.

Both the Riders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers have a bye-week coming up and won't play again until Week 21, the final week of the 2024 regular season.

The CFL’s Western Semi-Final will be on Saturday Nov. 2. The Western Final is scheduled for a week later, Nov. 9.

The Riders got touchdown receptions from Jerreth Sterns and Kian Schaffer-Baker. Brett Lauther had six field goals on Saturday.

Quarterback Trevor Harris, who was replaced by backup Shea Patterson midway through the fourth quarter, finished 25 of 30 passing for 271 yards and two touchdowns.

Saskatchewan receiver Samuel Emilus caught six passes for 94 yards to move him over the 1,000-yard mark for the 2024 season. Emilus, who had 1,097 yards receiving in 2023, has 1,064 yards this season.

David Mackie had a two-yard touchdown run for the Lions who will wrap up their regular season Oct. 19 against Montreal.

-- With files from Jeff DeDekker of The Canadian Press.