The Canadian Football League kicked off action last week, but two contenders clash in their season openers this Saturday night in primetime when the BC Lions hit the road to take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

While it's a new season, Lions fans remember Saskatchewan all too well, as the Roughriders ended BC’s championship aspirations with a three-point, comeback win over the visitors in the Western Division final. The 'Riders went on to deliver the championship hardware back to the Paris of the Prairies with a 25-17 win over the Montreal Alouettes.  

Why is this game of interest to MAC fans?  For starters, brand and name recognition.

For those who haven’t watched the CFL, in broad brushstrokes, the league is similar to the MAC in intense physicality, delivered by players who were given nothing, while earring everything.

Also, this game features a number of former MAC players ranging from CFL stars to up-and-coming players and everything in between.

We take a look at some MAC players on each side of the contest after letting you know how to watch.

Game details:

• Who: BC Lions @ Saskatchewan Roughriders
• Where: Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada  
• When: Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 7 p.m. Eastern time/5 p.m. local time.  
• Broadcast coverage: In the US, broadcast on CBS Sports Network (CBSSN); valid subscription required.

BC Lions

QB Nathan Rourke

The Lions’ offense is led by one of the CFL’s premier players, former Ohio Bobcats Nathan Rourke.  Between 2017-2019, the ‘Cat signal caller took the MAC by storm as he accounted for the second most career touchdowns in league history since 1962, despite playing only three seasons (111 total rushing and passing).

Rourke was drafted in the second round (15th overall) of the 2020 CFL draft and made his debut in 2021 after the 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID.  Following a breakout season in 2022 where he completed almost 79 percent of his 324 passing attempts, Rourke spent some time in the NFL before returning to the CFL in 2024.  Like he did in the Bobcat Green and White, Rourke still can punish teams with his legs but focuses more on passing in the BC scheme.  In 2025, he earned his second career Most Outstanding Canadian Award (best player) after completing over 70 percent of his 500 passes for 5,290 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Rouke looks to add some new hardware this season, BC’s first championship trophy since 2011.

DT Casey Sayles

Sayles played for four years with the Ohio Bobcats from 2013-2016.  The big DT from Nebraska saved his best season for last, earning second-team all-MAC honors in 2016 while helping the ‘Cats climb to the championship game in a close loss to the nationally-ranked Western Michigan Broncos.

Upon graduation, Sayles put some stickers on the suitcase, appearing with NFL teams LA Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers, while spending some time with an AAF and XFL squad.

Sayles found a home in the CFL in 2021, where he contributed to a Grey Cup Championship in that season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.  The former ‘Cat enters the 2026 season with 28 career CFL sacks.

DB Pierre Kemeni Jr.

Kemeni Jr. played his first two and last college football seasons for the Ohio Bobcats before being drafted fourth round (36th overall) in the 2026 CFL Draft.  The former ‘Cat will make his CFL regular season debut this week and was listed as second on the depth chart at safety earlier this preseason.

DB Ronald Kent Jr.

Prior to joining the BC Lions in 2024, this defensive back had a successful season in 2022 for the Central Michigan Chippewas playing alongside his younger brother– and future NFL Draft pick– Donte, finishing in the top 10 in the MAC in passes defensed that year.

Kent Jr. looks to build on two strong seasons, with over 90 tackles, two forced fumbles and two interceptions so far in his CFL career.

DB Jett Elad

The BC Lions drafted Elad in the second round of the 2026 draft (15th overall).  Elad’s career began with the Ohio Bobcats, where he had early success at defensive back in his redshirt sophomore season, starting five games.  Elad transferred to a few schools, ending his college career last season at Rutgers where he led the team with 80 tackles while earning All-Big Ten honorable mention.

Looks like Elad’s anticipated debut will have to wait though as he is listed on this week’s injury report with a hip injury.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

DT Ali Saad

The former Falcon played four seasons for Bowling Green, and, like Sayles, saved his best for last, earning All-MAC Academic Honors while racking up 40 tackles, 9 TFLs, with 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2024.

After his breakout campaign at Bowling Green, the Windsor, Ontario native was selected 4th overall in the 2025 CFL by the Roughriders.  Saad looks to build on a 2025 campaign in which he contributed to Saskatchewan's Grey Cup championship, recording 19 tackles and a sack in 18 games.

RB A.J. Ouellette

Along with MAC players former and current, including those on this list, Ouellette’s career embodies the everything is earned sentiment.  

Despite rushing for almost 5,500 yards in his high school career, the small school running back drew little interest from Division I colleges, and walked on with the Ohio Bobcats in 2014.

It didn’t take long for the ‘Cats to realize their good fortune, signing Ouellette to a scholarship around the end of training camp in his true freshman year.

The building momentum at Ohio ground to a screeching halt when a season-ending foot injury struck in game one of the 2016 campaign.  After an extensive rehab period, Ouellette bounced back strongly, finishing his Bobcat career with back-to-back 1,000 yard campaigns.

When his career ended in Athens, Ohio, Ouellette got some opportunities in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns, but neither ultimately panned out for an NFL career.

Undaunted about his first pro attempts, Ouellette seized an opportunity with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts, signing in 2019. Starting at the bottom of the ladder again with 46 total carries in his first two seasons behind some big-time talent, the runner exploded in his third and fourth seasons by earning back-to-back East All-Stars selections and a Grey Cup championship in 2022 with Toronto.

Signing with Saskatchewan in 2024 as a major free agent acquisition, the new Roughrider lost much of that season due to injury before returning with a vengeance in 2025, helping his squad to a Grey Cup championship while rushing for a career best 1,222 yards.

DB Roland Milligan

The former UAB and Toledo Rockets standout parlayed his college achievements into a successful pro career with some real distinction.  

After signing with several NFL teams, most notably with the Indianapolis Colts (11 total games), Mulligan has flourished in his five-year CFL career.  For instance, bouncing back from a 2023 injury, Milligan played lights out in 2024, earning honors as the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player with 71 tackles and a mind boggling eight interceptions.