The BC Lions fell to the rejuvenated Saskatchewan Roughriders last Friday 23 to 16. Both teams were in fact missing key players, but after a stellar performance by Riders QB, Cody Fajardo, the Riders were able to turn around a string of losses they have suffered recently this season.

As stated in my last article, the BC Lions were of course without prodigious quarterback, Nathan Rourke. He suffered a serious foot injury that may just see him missing the rest of the 2022 season. He has since had surgery on the foot and is hoping for the best, as are the fans. He posted on social media that the procedure went well. He looks hopeful, as are we all and wish him a speedy recovery and quick return.

Things looked bright though entering into last Friday’s game, as replacement QB, Michael O’Connor was all set to fill in for the missing Rourke. There were undoubtedly holes in their game though, which in football or any other sport is absolutely natural, especially considering someone new was helming the ship in that oh-so-important position.

Keep in mind that no matter how great a QB can be, being essentially new in that spot, the team will not function at the capacity it was used to functioning in with that former player there. The same can be said for other sports as stated, and in fact any other endeavor, really.

Michael O’Connor did well at first, as best as he could have, but he too fell to injury, injuring his groin. It was Antonio Pipkin who entered the game at the second quarter point of the game—specifically midway—and it looks like perhaps he will be the main man to start the upcoming game against the Als. In the CFL Pipkin was previously with the Toronto Argonauts (2021/2022), and the Montreal Alouettes (2017/2019) before that, and he has been with the BC Lions as of 2022.

Head coach for the Lions, Rick Campbell, had this to say on the game, O’Connor and the upcoming bye week:

“Michael made some really good throws early on… And Pip coming in — that’s a tough, tough situation to come in. He knows what he’s doing and he knows the offence. But he literally has very, very limited reps practicing and obviously not playing. So, good for them for competing. And they kept swinging all the way till the end…

No one should be coming back (unable) to practice if they haven’t been getting in and getting treatment…We need to take advantage of this bye week that comes at a good time. We need to get guys as healthy as they can be, both mentally and physically, to play a lot of important football.”

via sportsnet.ca

After the bye week, the Lions are set to take on the Montreal Alouettes on Friday September 9^th at 7:30 PM EST. Get the latest Esports news.

*For all your 2022 CFL Season news: CFL News Hub

NEXT: Roughriders Finally Defeat BC Lions—QB, Cody Fajardo Gets The Glory W/ Stellar Performance