Two comeback wins: Bombers stun Argonauts 25–22, Lions rally past Roughriders 33–26
Sports · The Canadian Chronicle
Published Tuesday, October 27, 2026 · Last updated Sunday, November 1, 2026 · 3 min read
Both CFL semifinals ended in comeback wins on Saturday, October 31. Winnipeg beat Toronto 25–22 at BMO Field, and BC beat Saskatchewan 33–26 at BC Place.
At a glance
- Winnipeg beat Toronto 25–22 at BMO Field: Dru Brown threw a 23-yard touchdown to Nic Demski with 44 seconds left, after a fumbled punt return gave the Bombers the ball.
- BC beat Saskatchewan 33–26 at BC Place after trailing 17–3. Nathan Rourke passed for 366 yards and three touchdowns.
- The division finals are set for Saturday, November 7: Winnipeg at Montreal at 3 p.m. ET, and BC at Edmonton at 6:30 p.m. ET.
- The winners meet in the 113th Grey Cup on Sunday, November 15, in Calgary.
Winnipeg 25, Toronto 22
Toronto led late. Lirim Hajrullahu's 41-yard field goal at 2:37 of the fourth quarter put the Argonauts up 22–17, in front of 21,786 fans at BMO Field.
The game turned on a punt return. Janarion Grant fumbled, Winnipeg recovered, and Dru Brown found Nic Demski for a 23-yard touchdown with 44 seconds remaining.
Brown, starting in place of the injured Zach Collaros, completed 18 of 30 passes for 206 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Winnipeg is the crossover team in this year's East playoff, and the win sends the Bombers to Montreal.
BC 33, Saskatchewan 26
Saskatchewan, the defending Grey Cup champion, led 17–3 midway through the second quarter. BC was still behind 17–13 at halftime.
Nathan Rourke passed for 366 yards and three touchdowns. Jevon Cottoy scored twice in the third quarter, on a 70-yard catch-and-run and a 13-yard reception that gave BC its first lead. Sean Whyte kicked four field goals, the longest from 48 yards.
Both teams finished the regular season 10–8. BC hosted the semifinal because it won the season series 2–1.
Toronto’s season ends at home. The Argonauts had one of the league’s most explosive offences this year, but Winnipeg held them to 22 points and 257 net yards.
BC’s turnaround is the other story of the night. The Lions started the season 1–5, then won nine of their next 10 games to reach the playoffs, and have now beaten the defending champions to reach the West Final.
The finals on November 7
Winnipeg plays at Montreal in the East Final on Saturday, November 7, at 3 p.m. ET. BC plays at Edmonton in the West Final the same day at 6:30 p.m. ET. Edmonton finished 13–5 and had the bye.
The winners meet in the 113th Grey Cup on Sunday, November 15, at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.
Sources
- East semifinal game report — The Canadian Press via TSN, October 31, 2026
- West semifinal game reports — The Canadian Press via TSN; Sportsnet, October 31, 2026
- Playoff schedule — CFL