Tiger-Cats, Kenny Lawler face stingy Lions secondary

Field Level Media|published: Sat 26th July, 19:47 2025

CFL: Saskatchewan Roughriders at Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Jun 14, 2025; Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Hamilton Tiger-Cats wide receiver Kenny Lawler (89) smiles after making a catch and being tackled at the goal line against the Saskatchewan Roughriders during the second half at Hamilton Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and star receiver Kenny Lawler look to continue their hot streaks Sunday against the host BC Lions in Vancouver.

The Tiger-Cats (4-2) have won four straight games and Lawler already has eight touchdown catches through six games, including a 41-yard score in last weekend's 30-15 victory at Ottawa.

As the favorite target for veteran quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, Lawler is on an early pace to challenge the CFL single-season record of 24 TD catches set by Winnipeg's Milt Stegall in 2002.

Lawler told TSN this week that he is aware of the record but not focused on it.

"I'm disciplined in my beliefs and really what I truly believe is that when you put the work in ... everything just happens naturally," Lawler said. "Everything takes care of itself. (The record) is not my biggest concern. My biggest concern is always about making the play, doing whatever it takes for my teammates, and then the personal accolades always come."

Hamilton's passing game faces a tough challenge Sunday against the Lions (3-4), who are allowing a league-low 212.3 yards per game through the air. BC ranks second in total defense at 323.7 yards per game.

The Lions had a two-game winning streak snapped with a 33-27 setback at home last weekend against Saskatchewan, which has the CFL's best record at 6-1.

Lions head coach Buck Pierce understands the difficulty of trying to contain Lawler, having served as the receiver's offensive coordinator in Winnipeg in 2023 and 2024.

"He's a highly motivated, competitive, driven individual," Pierce said, per TSN. "I loved my time with Kenny, watching him develop and grow. And watching him over the last couple of years, he's really matured and taken on a leadership role."

The Lions are 1-2 at home and the Tiger-Cats are 2-1 on the road entering their first meeting of the season. They will square off again in Hamilton on Thursday, Aug. 7.

The Lions have their own star wideout in Keon Hatcher, whose 574 receiving yards ranked No. 2 in the league after Lawler's 644 going into this weekend.

Eight Tiger-Cats are listed as out on the injury report, including starting defensive lineman TyJuan Garbutt (knee). For the Lions, defensive back Jalon Edwards-Cooper (knee) is questionable after a week of limited practices.

--Field Level Media