The BC Lions will host the Edmonton Elks to open their preseason in Langford, BC, in what will be a sold-out affair at Starlight Stadium. Many veterans are sitting this game out, including quarterback Nathan Rourke, as the Lions will use this playing time to evaluate newcomers.
Game Details:
Date/Location: Saturday, May 23 / Starlight Stadium, Langford, BC
Kickoff Time: 5:00 PM ET, 2:00 PM PT
Channel: CFL+
BC Lions: This is the first preseason game for the Lions and the first chance to evaluate a heavily rookie-laden roster in live action. With Nathan Rourke resting, Chase Brice is set to get the start at quarterback. The Lions are dressing mostly younger players and newcomers.
Edmonton Elks: Head Coach Mark Kilam and his staff are sending 70 players on the trip to evaluate as much of the roster as possible before final cuts. Cody Fajardo will start at quarterback and be protected by a near-projected starting offensive line that includes new additions left tackle Brendan Bordner, right tackle Jordan Murray, and right guard Coulter Woodmansey. David Beard and Mark Korte will also see action as they compete for the starting centre job.
Lions Keys to the Game
Evaluate young and new talent
Time to see who separates themselves in game action.
Chase Brice’s opportunity
With the starters resting, this is a big game for Brice to prove that he is a great option at QB2.
Special teams execution
Preseason is the ideal time to test kickers and returners and get coverage units dialed in.
Play-to-win mentality while evaluating
Give everyone reps, but still compete hard.
Lions to Watch
QB Chase Brice
Brice will have the opportunity to run the offence with several projected starters and show he belongs as a reliable backup or potential future option. He is entering his 4th season with the team and needs to demonstrate how he has been developing. In the limited time he has appeared in the regular season, he has completed 25 of his 33 passes (75.5%) for 261 yards and a touchdown.
WR Hergy Mayala
Mayala joins BC after playing for Toronto last year, where he had 3 catches for 40 yards in 7 appearances. The year prior, he was with Edmonton, where he caught 41 passes for 503 yards over 12 games. Mayala entered the league in 2019 with Calgary.
LT 55 Isaiah Cage
Cage had 24 starts with Toronto over 2023 and 2024 before suffering a season-ending injury in 2024. He was the 8th highest graded tackle in the CFL in 2024. The Lions signed Cage in early February.
HB 26 Dionte Ruffin
Ruffin joins BC after playing the last 3 seasons with Montreal, where he won a Grey Cup in 2023. He has played in 46 CFL games with 43 starts since joining Calgary in 2022. He has recorded 128 tackles and 6 interceptions. He was an important piece of a really good secondary in Montreal.
WR 84 Nate DeMontagnac
Nate DeMontagnac was BC’s first-round pick this past CFL Draft out of North Dakota. He had 38 catches for 462 yards and 2 touchdowns over 14 games in 2025.
Lions’ CFL Draft Summary: BC Selects North Dakota WR Nate DeMontagnac 7th Overall, Lions CFL and Global Draft Summary
Elks to Watch
7 QB Cody Fajardo
Fajardo is back with the Elks on a 1-year contract extension. Last season saw him complete 282 of his 385 passes (73.2%) for 3,408 yards and 14 touchdowns with 7 interceptions in his first season as an Elk. The 2023 Grey Cup MVP is back for a 2nd season with some new weapons.
3 WR Austin Mack
Austin Mack had a breakout CFL rookie season in 2023, catching 78 passes for 1,154 yards and 4 touchdowns. That year led to an opportunity with the Atlanta Falcons before returning to Montreal late in the 2024 season. Last year, his season had some interruptions from injuries as he recorded 48 catches for 674 yards and 2 touchdowns over 12 games.
3 WR Joe Robustelli
Robustelli began his CFL career with Saskatchewan, where he had 2 catches for 15 yards in 1 game in 2024. In his 4th career CFL game, he had 11 catches for 191 yards and a touchdown. He played in 12 games last season, recording 38 catches for 544 yards.
LB Dariel Djabome
Djabome was drafted by Edmonton 3rd overall in the 2026 CFL Draft. He recorded 176 defensive tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles across his final two years of a 4-season career with Rutgers.
DB Benjamin Sangmuah
Sangmuah was drafted by Edmonton 12th overall in the CFL Draft. He played in 41 games for UBC, recording 162 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, five interceptions, and 29 passes defended.
Depth Charts:
Score Prediction:
I am predicting Edmonton to win 30-24.