With ONE WEEK remaining until we hit the field in Kamloops, Matt and Nik recap a productive CFL Draft and take a look at the BC Lions' defence heading into 2025. Hear from linebackers coach Glen Young on his football philosophy, history as a player that includes a Super Bowl appearance and his other talents. Ryan Phillips joins the show to discuss his new role on the coaching staff and how he sees his defensive backs shaping up. We have our usual fun segments, trivia, ‘Go For it or Punt’ and ‘They Not Like Us’ to wrap it all up!

2:02 - CFL Draft recap

12:38 - BC Lions 2025 defence preview

18:42 - Coach Glen Young interview

40:00 - Coach Ryan Phillips interview

57:22 - Trivia Time - Lions single-game touchdown record

1:01:29 - Go For It or Punt

1:07:31 - They Not Like Us

With less than two weeks to go until the Kamloops heat, Matt and Nik bring you a jam-packed episode of 1st and Now. We bring in special teams coordinator Cory McDiarmid for a stroll down memory lane from his first stint and a breakdown of the Lions’ important pieces on teams. The fellas also discuss their favourite game themes coming up this season and get ready for next Tuesday’s CFL and Global Drafts.

0:00 - Intro

3:58 - BC Lions 2025 Game Themes

17:58 - Coach Cory McDiarmid interview

36:03 - BC Lions 2025 special teams preview

44:45 - Trivia Time - CFL Draft history

52:18 - Go For It or Punt

57:42 - They Not Like Us

Matt and Nik are back and getting giddy with inside 30 days remaining until our first training camp practices in Kamloops. With the coaching staff trickling into the office, the fellas speak with offensive line coach Paul Charbonneau, running backs coach Kristian Matte and receivers coach/passing game coordinator Kevin Bourgoin. The boys also take a closer look at the offence and bring you our regular fun segments in this early April edition of 1st and Now.

0:00 - Intro

5:48 - Josh Banks retirement

7:43 - Jevon Cottoy becomes BC World Vision Ambassador

9:40 - Stewart Johnston introduced as CFL commissioner

13:23 - Coach Paul Charbonneau interview

20:30 - Coach Kristian Matte interview

26:38 - Coach Kevin Bourgoin interview

36:20 - BC Lions 2025 offence preview

47:31 - Trivia Time - CFL receiving touchdown leaders

57:08 - Go For It or Punt

1:01:05 - They Not Like Us

Matt and Nik are joined by a couple of off-season additions to the 2025 BC Lions roster. First, linebacker Micah Awe joins the show to talk about returning to the Lions, approaching 100 CFL games, playing at Texas Tech, and the different aspects of the state of Texas. Next, defensive back Deontai Williams discusses why he signed with BC, his father Roosevelt’s NFL and CFL playing days, and how Coach Buck Pierce may have been targetting Deontai in his first CFL start.

The Madness is just beginning! Matt and Nik preview this week’s CFL Combine and look ahead to some of the key training camp battles on the horizon. General manager Ryan Rigmaiden joins the show to talk about some of the things the squad is looking for in the Draft along with his expectations for training camp in Kamloops. 0:00 - Intro

8:11 - Rob Ralph promoted to assistant general manager

11:43 - Lions in Langford sells out

19:28 - Lions first-year American additions

24:44 - Ryan Rigmaiden interview

47:02 - Trivia Time - BC Lions draft picks

51:58 - Go For It or Punt

56:17 - They Not Like Us

What happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas. The boys are back and Bakes is playing hurt after a few days of fun in Sin City. He and Nik bring you all the latest stories from Lions land, including an overall look at free agency and intriguing camp battles with TSN's Farhan Lalji. Our Go For It Or Punt and They Not Like Us segments go heavy on the 4 Nations Faceoff!

0:00 - intro

4:05 - Kristian Matte hired as RB coach

9:31 - David Mackie retirement

18:07 - Farhan Lalji interview

42:14 - Trivia Time - Longest-tenured BC Lions

47:00 - Go For It or Punt

54:39 - They Not Like Us

The boys are back to recap a busy first couple of days on the free agent front for your BC Lions. Bob "The Moj" Marjanovich stops by to talk about the new additions, the new coaching staff and what training camp battles he is excited about. The fellas also recap an eventful Super Bowl week where MOJ and Nik had boots on the ground in New Orleans, a city that Bakes is also quite familiar with. This episode has it all!

0:00 - intro

6:35 - 2025 Free Agency Recap

16:44 - Lions in Langford

19:11 - Bob Marjanovich interview

48:22 - Trivia Time - BC Lions Free Agency

53:48 - Go For It or Punt

58:15 - They Not Like Us

The offseason has kicked into high gear as free agency is just around the corner. Lions' analyst Giulio Caravatta joins Matt and Nik to break down the key re-signings so far and what the squad might look to address when the market opens. Giulio also gives a solid account of the current state of Canadian quarterbacks. The fellas also discuss their favourite parts of the 2025 schedule and branch out during the always-entertaining 'Go For It Or Punt' and 'They Not Like Us' segments.

0:00 - Intro

3:16 - 2025 schedule release

10:44 - Lions re-signings

15:28 - Arrow Up: Home Turf episodes

17:53 - Giulio Caravatta interview

39:00 - Debate: which U.S. state has the best CFL players?

43:48 - Go For It or Punt

55:22 - They Not Like Us

Bo Lokombo joins Matt and Nik on the heels of his retirement from football to recap some of his fondest memories as a Lion, both on and off the field. The linebacker leaves a lasting legacy as both a player and someone who gave back to his community, most recently as a proud ambassador for World Vision Canada.

In the 2025 season premiere of 1st and Now, Matt & Nik have plenty to talk about! From key player transactions to the coaching staff being assembled by Buck Pierce, the season prep. is in full force. The boys also talk with linebacker Josh Woods on both his injury recovery and the tragic fire situation in Los Angeles. To close it out, it’s an NFL-themed version of both ‘Go For It Or Punt’ or ‘They Not Like Us.’

0:00 - Intro

1:34 - Dejon Allen trade

5:10 - Sean Whyte extension

6:40 - Garry Peters extension

9:16 - Tibo Debaillie extension

10:32 - Riley Pickett extension

12:16 - James Butler, RB signings

17:30 - BC coaching staff announcement

24:00 - Josh Woods interview

44:12 - Arrow Up update

46:23 - Go For It or Punt