A healthy Nathan Rourke makes the BC Lions a threat in any game.

But the emergence of running back Zander Horvath has helped make BC’s offense one of the CFL’s most balanced in recent weeks.

The Lions get a chance to show they might be playoff-worthy on Sunday when they host the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

BC (4-5) has won three straight, including a 30-26 decision on Aug. 13 at Calgary. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Horvath has rushed for 355 yards in that span, including 191 in a 35-19 win at Winnipeg that started the streak.

“When you look at Zander, he works extremely hard,” said second-year Lions coach Buck Pierce. “He’s the type of guy that we really look at as a guy that doesn’t say a whole lot but shows up and just works … it allows us to be dynamic.”

Horvath’s recent production has enabled BC to lead the league in rushing at 116.9 yards per game. Because opponents have to respect the run, Rourke often gets favorable matchups for his wide receivers. He has completed 144 of 211 passes (68.2 percent) for 2,074 yards and nine touchdowns.

While the Lions are surging, Saskatchewan (6-3) is looking to find its best form. It was upset 26-19 on Aug. 15 at Hamilton. Quarterback Trevor Harris threw for a season-low 207 yards and two fourth-quarter interceptions, while the defense could not make key stops against backup quarterback Tre Ford in the second half.

The good news for the Roughriders is that they are starting to get key players back from injuries that have eroded their depth. Receiver Samuel Emilus, return specialist James Letcher Jr. and running back Quali Conley are returning to the lineup.

Coach Corey Mace is happy that his team owns a winning record despite the injuries but knows improvements must be made if they are to defend their Grey Cup title.

“We haven’t met the standard that we want to meet as a team, and that’s what we chase,” he said.

Saskatchewan edged BC 31-27 on June 13 in each team’s regular-season opener.

–Field Level Media