If it weren’t for the exploits of B.C. Lions kick returner Ryan Lankford, it would have been a lot worse than it was.

Lankford returned a missed field goal for a touchdown and a kickoff for a touchdown as he accumulated almost 300 yards in returns as the Lions were declawed 45-18 by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in CFL action Saturday night.

The Riders defence would not let the Lions get on track right from the first series as B.C could only muster 68 yards of total offense as the green-and-white improved their record to 3-3.

While the B.C offense couldn’t get going, the Riders offense had success especially when it came to the run as William Powell had 146 yards and three touchdowns including a 42 yard run in the second quarter.

Head Coach Craig Dickenson says his team was extremely focussed coming in and it showed.

“That’s a big win.” Dickenson said. “Our guys knew if we could win this one we could get a big advantage over BC and they played very well.  We knew they would come out fighting.  We wanted to be on defense first and set out the gameplan which was to be physical.  I thought that was our best game of the year.”

While Lankford provided some big special teams plays for his squad, Loucheiz Purifoy provided a big play for the Riders as he returned a kickoff 97 yards in the first quarter for a touchdown to put the Riders up 12-0.

It is a short week for the Riders.   They will take their 3-3 record into a home game Thursday night against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a 7:30 start.