Horvath’s Three Touchdowns Power B.C. Lions Past Blue Bombers in Winnipeg

The B.C. Lions earned an important Canadian Football League victory Thursday night, defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 35-19 at Princess Auto Stadium. Rookie quarterback Kaidon Salter impressed in his first CFL start, using both his legs and his arm to help lift B.C. to just its second win of the season.

Horvath Leads the Lions’ Ground Attack

Running back Zander Horvath delivered the standout performance of the game, rushing for three touchdowns and 191 yards on 17 carries.

After opening his scoring with a one-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter, Horvath broke the game open in the fourth with touchdown runs of 58 and 35 yards. The former Purdue standout consistently found running lanes as the Lions’ offence took control in the closing minutes.

B.C. improved to 2-5 with the victory, while Winnipeg dropped to 4-4 and slipped to 1-4 at home this season.

Kaidon Salter Shines in First CFL Start

Making his first start in the CFL, Salter showcased his athleticism throughout the contest. While he completed 7 of 15 passes for 96 yards and one touchdown, his biggest impact came on the ground.

The Texas native rushed 10 times for 160 yards, repeatedly extending drives with explosive runs.

Salter connected with receiver Jermaine Jackson on a 24-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, giving the Lions a 20-19 lead. Keon Hatcher added the two-point convert with a secure catch.

Kicker Sean Whyte contributed field goals from 43 and 42 yards, while converting three extra points. His lone miss came from 52 yards after his opening attempt struck the crossbar.

Lions Capitalize Late

The Lions entered the final quarter trailing but produced a decisive finish.

After Whyte narrowed the gap with a field goal, Salter engineered a key scoring drive featuring an 11-yard run before Horvath’s 35-yard burst set up Jackson’s touchdown reception.

Horvath then sealed the outcome with a 58-yard touchdown run with less than three minutes remaining. Hatcher later added another touchdown after recovering from a Winnipeg turnover, putting the result beyond doubt.

Blue Bombers Lose Quarterback Dru Brown to Injury

Winnipeg quarterback Dru Brown completed 18 of 21 passes for 180 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions before leaving the game with 9:22 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Brown was injured after running with the football and absorbing a hit without sliding. Canadian quarterback Taylor Elgersma entered the game in relief.

Receiver Tim White caught Brown’s only touchdown pass, a two-yard completion in the corner of the end zone.

Kicker Sergio Castillo accounted for much of Winnipeg’s scoring, making field goals from 16, 12, 33 and 49 yards while adding one convert.

Running back Brady Oliveira provided a steady presence on the ground with 107 rushing yards on 19 carries.

Momentum Swings Throughout the Game

Winnipeg led 6-0 after the opening quarter and held a narrow 7-6 deficit at halftime before reclaiming a 16-10 advantage entering the fourth.

The Blue Bombers missed an early opportunity when a touchdown catch by Tim White was erased by a holding penalty, forcing them to settle for a field goal.

B.C. also suffered an unusual turnover during the first quarter when the snap struck receiver Nick Cenacle as he crossed in front of Salter. Winnipeg linebacker Jaylen Smith recovered the loose ball at the Lions’ 34-yard line, but the turnover resulted only in another Castillo field goal.

The Lions responded before halftime with an eight-play, 64-yard drive capped by Horvath’s one-yard touchdown as time expired. Salter sparked the possession with three runs totaling 40 yards, including a designed 17-yard carry.

Winnipeg briefly regained momentum in the third quarter. Castillo’s 33-yard field goal restored the lead before Ontaria Wilson’s 37-yard reception set up Brown’s two-yard touchdown pass to White as the quarter ended.

Despite trailing entering the final period, B.C.’s dynamic rushing attack proved decisive as Horvath and Salter combined for several explosive plays that overwhelmed Winnipeg’s defence.

Lions Build Momentum with Complete Offensive Effort

The victory gives the Lions a confidence boost as they continue their CFL campaign, highlighted by an outstanding rushing performance from Horvath and an encouraging debut from Salter as the starting quarterback. For Winnipeg, the loss was compounded by Brown’s injury and another disappointing home result despite efficient offensive production through much of the game.