The last time the B.C. Lions took on the Saskatchewan Roughriders, they were denied a comeback win.

The Riders took a 31-13 lead into the fourth quarter back on Aug. 20.

The Lions scored 16 straight points to close the gap to 31-29 with 2:06 left in the game but ultimately fell short.

This time, B.C. is looking to dispatch their Western division counterparts without the need for last minute heroics.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e a good football team,鈥� said head coach Rick Campbell. 鈥淚 know they鈥檝e had their ups and downs 鈥� but they鈥檙e well coached.鈥�

The Lions have a chance to clinch a home playoff spot with a win Friday night, having locked up a spot in the post-season last week.

Campbell said he鈥檚 trying to not get carried away about that possibility.

鈥淧lay good football and then see what happens,鈥� he said when asked if he had been thinking about playoff games at B.C. Place. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have the control of the outcome, you have the control of the odds.鈥�

The Lions have won their last three games while the Roughriders have done the opposite, particularly struggling away from Mosaic Stadium.

鈥淭he schedule makers got it right, we鈥檙e playing four of our last five against the west,鈥� said Campbell. 鈥淭he competition level is high.鈥�

The Lions have struggled for consistency with their run game, but have shown sparks of success in the last two weeks.

First it was Terry Williams going all the way to kick-start a last minute comeback win over the Ottawa Redblacks, followed by Taquan Mizzell putting up 112 yards and two touchdowns against the Edmonton Elks last week.

鈥淲e talked last week about how we needed to get more out of that running back position, whether that鈥檚 through pass protection or running the ball to getting the ball out of his hands in the back,鈥� said Campbell. 鈥淲e told (Mizzell) 鈥榃e need more out of you,鈥� but we need to help with blocking, play calls and all that stuff.鈥�

Wide receiver Dominique Rhymes and linebacker Bo Lokombo are both expected to return to the lineup for Friday鈥檚 tilt, barring any last minute setback.

鈥淚鈥檓 happy to get back, happy to be healthy,鈥� said Lokombo. 鈥淎t this time (of the season) you want everybody to play and contribute.鈥�

The linebacker said he and his teammates need to shut out external pressure and focus on the game at hand.

鈥淎round this time, every game is a big game,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 matter if they鈥檙e dealing with things or somethings going on, we have to come ready to play.鈥�

But the Lions will be without offensive lineman Sukh Chung and linebacker David Mackie, forcing some positional changes ahead of the game.

鈥淭hey do a good job up front. They have a good defence and people up front,鈥� said Campbell. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got to mix things up, and move in the pocket. Run the ball, run screens, just make sure we don鈥檛 have a quarterback sitting in one spot.鈥�

Roughriders head coach Craig Dickenson said his team is aiming to limit quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.鈥檚 offensive output.

鈥淗e鈥檚 a guy that has my utmost respect. I鈥檝e known him since he was a college player,鈥� said Dickinson. 鈥淚 think with Vernon, you鈥檝e got to try to contain him. He can beat you with his legs or his arm.鈥�

Adams said he鈥檚 focusing on his and his offensive line鈥檚 play heading into the game.

鈥淭hat defensive line, they鈥檙e really good. I think both times we played them, they got to me a couple times,鈥� he said. I think our offensive line has honed into a lot of things and doing a really good job of talking and communicating up front.鈥�

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