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The BC Lions will kick off the 2025 campaign at home against the Edmonton Elks in what will be nearly a sold-out crowd, with Snoop Dogg as the featured artist for the concert kickoff. The Lions hope for Nathan Rourke to return to his former level of efficiency in 2022, which led to him spending the 2023 season and part of 2024 in the NFL.
Game Details:
Date/Location: Saturday, June 7 /BC Place, Vancouver, BC
Kickoff Time: 10:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM PT
Channel: TSN (Canada), CBS Sports (USA), CFL+ (Global)
Odds:
Spread: B.C. -5.5 (-105), Edmonton +5.5 (-105)
Moneyline: B.C. -265, Edmonton +215
Over/Under: 49.5 (Over -105, Under -105)
B.C. Lions: The BC Lions look to bounce back from a season that didn’t quite meet expectations, finishing 9-9 and losing 19-28 in the Western Final to the Roughriders in a Grey Cup hosting season with high hopes. Last season,n Nathan Rourke wasn’t able to replicate his high level of play after becoming the starter for the Lions just mere days after returning to the CFL midseason. With Rourke being with the team through training camp this season, things are poised to get off to a hot start.
Edmonton Elks: The Elks also have a Canadian starting quarterback in Tre Ford, who will be the week 1 starter. The Elks look to build on their 7-11 season last year, which was the first time having more than 4 wins in a season since 2019.
Lions’ Keys to the Game
Contain Ford
Tre Ford can get a lot done with his legs if you don’t keep him contained when you pressure him.
Strong Pass Coverage
Last season, the Lions had shaky pass protection at times. They will need to be strong early to give Rourke more comfort room to find his groove. Right tackle Dejon Allen will make his debut as a BC Lion after being traded from Toronto this offseason.
Defend Well Against Deep Passes
At times, Ford has had some home runs on deep throws and has some talented targets to throw to, including Steven Dunbar, J,r. Kurleigh Gittens Jr., and Kaion Julien-Grant.
5 Lions to Watch
#18 WR Justin McInnis
McInnis led the league in receiving last year, catching 92 passes for 1,469 yards and 7 touchdowns.
#20 RB James Butler
Butler returns to BC, where his CFL career began in 2021 after a 2 year stint with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He has 3,195 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns, and 1,526 receiving yards with 7 receiving touchdowns over his 4 CFL seasons.
#1 CB Garry Peters
Peters has been one of the best lockdown corners in the CFL for years.
#58 DE Kemoko Turay
Turay will make his CFL debut on Saturday. He played his college ball at Rutgers before being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2nd round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has since played in 41 NFL games, recording 34 tackles and 5 sacks. His career was interrupted by a broken ankle in week 5 of 2019.
#90 DE Mathieu Betts
Betts had 18 sacks in 2023 over 18 games and signed with the Detroit Lions. He played in 7 games for BC after rejoining the team midseason and recorded 13 tackles and 2 sacks. BC will hope to see him return to his 2023 form.
5 Elks to Watch
#11 Kaion Julien Grant
Julien-Grant will make his debut as an Edmonton Elks after playing for Montreal over the last 5 seasons. He was efficient over the last 2 seasons, in particular catching 83 passes for 998 yards over 21 games with 1 touchdown in seasons limited by injuries.
#6 WR Steven Dunbar Jr.
Dunbar recorded 75 catches for 1,159 yards and 5 touchdowns last season.
#5 RB Justin Rankin
Rankin elevates to the starting role this season after rushing 98 times for 765 yards (7.8 average) and 5 touchdowns last season.
#94 DT Jake Ceresna
Ceresna is a constant problem in the pass rush and is joined by good company, including Robbie Smith, Brandon Barlow, and Jordan Brinkman.
#30 CB Tyrell Ford
Tyrell joins his brother after being named All-CFL with Winnipeg last year.
Injury Report:
Depth Charts:
Score Prediction:
I predict the Lions to have a strong start to their season by a score of 33-20.
@JonathanClink on Twitter
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Jonathan Clink Reporter
Jonathan Clink joined CFL News Hub in early April of 2023. His primary responsibilities are covering the BC Lions and Montreal Alouettes. He self awarded himself the CFL Rookie Journalist of the Year in 2023 following the 2023 CFL season. He also proclaims himself to be a "really cool guy". He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and lived a large portion of his childhood in Northwest Ontario. He currently lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan and misses being being able to have 4 months of skating every winter. Clink has written over 240 articles for CFL News Hub. He was the publication's boots on the ground at the 2023 Grey Cup in Hamilton. Clink has always had an obsession for sport and has a background in other sports as well having played hockey all his life and soccer, basketball, and lacrosse in high school. As a young child he used to log his hockey statistics after every game which is either an indication that he was destined for the role or perhaps and indication that he is rather strange.