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Date: Sunday, November 18, 2007

Place: BC Place

Kickoff: 1:30 pm (Gates open at 12:00 noon)

Television: CBC

Radio: TEAM 1040 (Rick Ball, Giulio Caravatta) - Fans can catch the Lions pre-game show starting at 10:00 am

Halftime: Halftime for Sunday's tilt features a field of musical entertainment provided by the MEI's (Abbotsford) Screaming Eagles Band, the Sardis Secondary Drumline and the Spiral Dance dancers.

Merchandise: New Lions merchandise is available for fans to purchase at kiosks throughout BC Place. The 2007/2008 Felions Calendar is still available for sale at the Street Party and during the game at the BC Lions Group Sales Table (located at Section 10). Proceeds from the sales of this season's calendar will contribute to the Felions' trip to the Grey Cup game in Toronto on November 25th.

BC Lions Street Party: Begins at a special time of 10:30 am at its regular location on the corner of Beatty and Robson streets. In addition to live musical entertainment on the main stage, the Felions Dance Team and Leo the Lion will be on hand and there will be plenty of activities including face painting, the Lions Share inflatable, games and poster making. Exciting Lions merchandise, including GO ORANGE playoff shirts for $20.00 and great food will also be available until kick-off.

Lions fans are also encouraged to come down to the Street Party and vote for their favourite 'stache! The five "Mo Mania" finalists will be on-hand during the Street Party and fans will get a chance to vote for their favourite. All finalists will receive a pair of tickets to the West Final, while the grand prize winner will receive an autographed Rob Murphy jersey and an autographed game ball from the West Final.

The first 30,000 fans through the gates on game day will receive Thundersticks courtesy of Nissan as well as stick-on moustaches courtesy of Movember.

All fans are reminded to consider using gates other than A and H (near Terry Fox Plaza) to avoid congestion. In addition, Lions fans can do their best to give the team dome field advantage by 'getting their orange on' and sporting a playoff moustache.

Game Overview

The BC Lions (14-3-1) begin their Grey Cup title defence by playing host to the Saskatchewan Roughriders (12-6) in the 2007 West Final set for Sunday afternoon. The divisional rivals bring plenty to the table on both sides of the ball leading many to believe that this year's edition of a Lions - 'Riders final will be the game of the year.

The Lions enter the game on a week of much needed rest after securing home-field advantage for the fourth consecutive season with a franchise-high 14 wins. Currently riding an eight-game winning streak, GM and head coach Wally Buono hasn't seen an 'L' on the board since the beginning of September and now leads his squad against a hungry and determined 'Rider squad coming off a 26-24 win over the Calgary Stampeders last week. The Green and White probably didn't break out film of last year's 45-18 loss in last season's divisional finale, but it certainly provides motivation for Kent Austin's charges.

In three games during the 2007 regular season, neither team was able to win at home, with the Lions taking two in Regina and losing one of just three games all season to the Roughriders on August 2nd. The Leos' most recent victory over Saskatchewan (Sept. 22) came in the game's final moments as quarterback Jarious Jackson hooked up with CFL-leading receiver Geroy Simon for a 33-yard touchdown for the team's only lead on the night. The 37-34 win sparked the club in the second half of the season and helps set up the third West Final in four seasons between the two clubs.

The victory was indicative of the Lions' regular season in 2007 as they continually found ways to win despite numerous injuries to key players. The depth of talent on the roster not only gives promise for tomorrow but demonstrates the ability of the Lions to compete regardless of who is on the field. The Roughriders, meanwhile, seem reborn under first-year head coach Kent Austin and look more than ready to step out of the Lions' shadow in the West.

On offence, Jarious Jackson will start for the reigning Grey Cup champs and with good reason as the third-year Lion led the club to a 9-2 record when placed at the helm. Jackson finished the season seeing limited action in the final two regular season games but was good on 18 of 23 attempts for 305 yards and three TD's. He also tossed three TD's in the Lions' final regular season matchup with Saskatchewan. Buono will also have Dave Dickenson and Buck Pierce at his disposal if needed. Dickenson shook of three months of rust to complete 19 of 27 passes for 294 yards and a TD versus Hamilton and Calgary. Despite an up and down season while enduring an injured foot and a separated throwing shoulder, Pierce is cleared to play and practiced well all week.

Lions receivers enjoyed a fantastic end to the 2007 regular season with Geroy capturing the league lead in yardage (1293) and Jason Clermont finishing in third (1158). Paris Jackson established a career-high with 962 yards and 65 receptions. Together, the Big Three accounted for 77% of the Lions' 4444 receiving yards this season. Simon rolled up eight receptions for 151 yards and a TD the last time these two teams hooked up while Jackson need only look back one year to recall his own two-TD performance against the 'Riders. Jason Clermont has been on a tear averaging 108 yards over his past four games and typically provides the Leos with outstanding post-season efforts.

Running back Joe Smith provided the Lions with steady performances throughout the season finishing with a club record and CFL-high 1510 rushing yards and 18 TD's. The second-year Lion will again be a key figure in the team's post-season success as the offence tries to keep Saskatchewan on its collective heels with a balanced attack along the ground and through the air. Smith provided a bruising performance last time out against the 'Riders with 93 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns.

Up front, the Lions will likely bounce back from the seven sacks surrendered to Calgary two weeks ago. Outstanding Lineman candidate Rob Murphy returns to the starting five after sitting out the final regular season game. Right tackle Jason Jimenez who was suspended by the league on Monday was granted a stay on Friday afternoon enabling him to suit-up for the West Final and the Grey Cup if the Lions advance.

On defence, the Lions have a very large task ahead trying to contain the West Division's nominee for Most Outstanding Player in Kerry Joseph. As evidenced by his performance versus Calgary last week, Joseph can give a defence fits with his ability to run and pass the ball. Working against the 'Rider pivot will be 12 players on the Lions defence and more than 52,000 fans doing their part to provide the kind of audio distraction that led to five procedure calls in last year's tilt.

Not unlike most CFL games, the battle along the line of scrimmage will be key to the success of either club. For the Lions, the play of Wake, Johnson, Williams and Hunt has yielded two Outstanding Player nominations and three West Division All-Star nods. While containment may be one the D-line's primary function, the same could be said for Saskatchewan's front five on offence. Wake led the CFL in sacks with 16 with Brent Johnson not far off the pace with 11, while Williams and Hunt combined for 104 defensive tackles and 13 sacks. Sophomore Ricky Foley has also shown the coaching staff he can be effective as a pass rusher in addition to his special team prowess.

At linebacker, Otis Floyd has been playing healthy for the past month and his statistics back it up as the All-Star has racked up 29 tackles and three sacks over the past four games. Otis' play will be key as the veteran 'backer is handed the task of keeping Kerry Joseph in-check. Teammate Javier Glatt is also at full speed after some mid-season injury trouble. Floyd and Glatt will have to be sharp to keep a 'Rider running game in check that rolled to a total of 129 yards a week ago. Look for Jason Pottinger to see spot duty as well as the second-year Leo helps out in special defensive packages.

The Lions secondary which features all-stars at four of the five base positions will be looking for more game breaking plays after picking off 24 passes during the regular season. Kerry Joseph was victimized by Lions thievery three times this season and will have to be weary of the likes of Phillips, Banks, Glover and Miles as the Best in the West look to make their mark in this one.

Mike Benevides' Special Forces have been huge for the club this season with blocked kicks, big returns and consistent containment. Returner Ian Smart has been rewarded for his efforts with an Outstanding Special Teams Player nomination as well as a West All-Star bid. The club tied a league record with five blocks including the CFL's only blocked field goal. Playoff games, not unlike regular season matchups, are often decided by four or five big plays and with special teams playing at their very best, don't be surprised if one of those plays comes from them.

From training camp, Wally Buono has described the Lions' season as a journey. Since those late spring days in Abbotsford, he has managed to transform another group of 50 or so players into a team in the hunt for a championship. Injuries and suspensions have been overcome by determination and a willingness to do whatever it takes to win. Now the journey for the defending Grey Cup champions nears its inevitable climax as the Lions look to defeat a very talented Roughrider squad desperately wanting to go where a Saskatchewan team hasn't been since 1997. In an ironic twist that it seems only sports can provide, 1997 is also the last season a league champion has managed to defend their title.

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