1st And Now

Matt & Nik are back after a long weekend of fun and adventure for each guy. Now it's all about football once again as the fellas recap what went wrong in Winnipeg and discuss the keys for a bounce back in Edmonton this Sunday. Assistant defensive backs coach Tanya Henderson talks about the Elks challenge, Lions defence and promotes next week's women's flag football clinic in Surrey. 0:00 - Intro, 2:22 - Week 9 at Winnipeg recap, 6:40 - Week 10 at Edmonton preview, 14:45 - Coach Tanya Henderson interview, 37:50 - CFL Week 10 talk, 43:52 - Go For It or Punt

This week on the podcast, Matt & Nik pay tribute to 100 episodes recorded dating back to March 11, 2022 when we re-launched the podcast with Rick Campbell as our guest. There have been many laughs, stories, recaps of wins and losses and other great memories along the way! Strap in and join us as we look back at some of our best interviews and look ahead to the next 100! 0:00 - intro 1:42 - Rick Campbell interview 27:42 - Sean Whyte interview 55:36 - Nathan Rourke interview 1:23:52 - Lukas Moore interview 1:49:40 - Bryan Burnham interview 2:16:11 - Vernon Adams Jr. interview 2:41:03 - Paul McCallum interview 3:10:49 - Solomon Elimimian interview 3:36:01 - Jamie Taras & Sean Millington interview 4:01:22 - Chase Brice interview

Matt and Nik are jacked up after a bye week and ready for our 5th trip to Winnipeg in the last 13 months. Along with previewing the Blue Bombers with Hustler Paterson from Winnipeg Sports Talk, Matt and Nik ring in their 100th episode together by going around the CFL in what is shaping up to be an exciting week of action across the league.

Lions analyst Giulio Caravatta joins the podcast to give an assessment on the squad after six games and help preview Sunday’s big matchup in Calgary and what to expect from a Stampeders squad that has lost two in a row. Giulio also breaks down what makes Vernon Adams Jr. the elite player he is. Matt and Nik also go around the CFL while recapping last week’s impressive victory over Saskatchewan that put them into sole possession of first place in the West.

Matt and Nik are back to preview Saturday's 1st place battle with Saskatchewan and some of the exciting plans for our second annual Watermelon Smash. Quarterback Chase Brice joins the fellas to talk about his memories of Clemson, his friendship with Trevor Lawrence and adjustments to life in the Canadian Football League.

Matt & Nik bring you a special 1st and Now with Lion legends Jamie Taras, Angus Reid and Honourary Jennifer Whiteside, Minster of Mental Health And Addiction. The roundtable discusses the Help Starts Here Program and how people battling mental health and addictions can seek help.

It's Hamilton week as the Lions are back at work in search of a fourth straight win this Sunday. Matt and Nik are thrilled to be joined by Steve Milton, formerly with the Hamilton Spectator and now with Ticats.ca. 'Uncle Milty' gives a thorough breakdown of what has plagued the Ticats in their 0-4 start while giving credit to how well Bo Levi Mitchell has performed despite their record.

It's another rivalry week as Matt and Nik look ahead to Thursday Night Football against the Edmonton Elks. The boys speak with Elks' radio analyst Dave Campbell on the 0-3 start, how the offence has looked under McLeod Bethel-Thompson and a little check- in on the Alberta Capital after a long Stanley Cup run.

A special bonus episode of the podcast this week as BC Lions legend Andrew Harris makes his 1st and Now debut. The 2011 Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian discusses the documentary ‘Running Back Relentless’ which chronicles his eventful and sometimes turbulent path to pro football. Harris also re-lives some of his best memories in Lion colours.

Matt and Nik recap a special Concert Kickoff home opener against Calgary and a big divisional win. The fellas also look forward to another big divisional test in Winnipeg against a depleted Bombers team. The boys are also excited to welcome Team Canada head coach Warren Craney ahead of this weekend's World Junior Championships in Edmonton where Canada goes for a third straight gold medal.

Matt and Nik tee up Saturday’s much anticipated Concert Kickoff featuring 50 Cent and the keys to taking down the Stampeders. Defensive lineman Josh Archibald joins the show to discuss how much he’s grown in three years while giving an in -depth review of his first career sack in Toronto which had a historical result.

Lions' receiver Ayden Eberhardt joins the show to talk about his goals for year two with the squad. He also breaks down some of his great Wyoming memories which included some great stories about quarterback Josh Allen. Matt and Nik also look ahead to the week one opener in Toronto, break down the other three CFL games and recap what has been a busy and exciting week in the city with Lions football grabbing plenty of headlines.

A conversation with a CFL lifer. Matt and Nik sit down with new long snapper Kyle Nelson who dishes on life in Kamloops and his rich Canadian bloodlines. Plus, Bakes gets some insight on his time with the 49ers which included a memorable Super Bowl clash.

Matt and Nik recap the Lions' first camp scrimmage this past weekend plus sit down with director of US Scouting Jim Jauch. Jim talks about the routine of scouting and how his year-round schedule dictates who the team brings into camp.

Matt and Nik break down the training camp storylines and position battles plus take a deep dive into the 2011 Grey Cup champion Lions. The boys also talk to Ryan Phillips and Jason Tucker about their camp experience and life in Kamloops.

With one week to go until first-year Lions hit the training camp grind in Kamloops, Matt and Nik recap the 2024 draft class with 3 Down Nations's JC Abbott. Offensive lineman and round- one selection George Una also stops by. The boys also break down a huge week of signings headlined by the addition of local boy Christian Covington and continue the Grey Cup recap series by breaking down a dominant 2006 squad.

Matt & Nik are back with a deep dive on the 2000 Grey Cup win as that year's unforgettable squad will enter the Wall Of Fame later this year. Jamie Taras and Sean Millington join the show for a look back on some of the best memories from the championship season, including an intense battle in the backfield with Millington and Robert Drummond. The fellas also preview special teams as 2024 training camp draws even closer.

Matt and Nik catch up with Vernon Adams Jr. from his home in Tacoma. VA talks about his motivation for the 2024 season, the role he played in helping recruit key free agents to the den and his thoughts on March Madness! The boys also continue their Grey Cup recaps with a look at the unforgettable 1994 championship.

Defensive lineman David Menard joins the fellas from his offseason training hub in Montreal. Menard talks about the mindset and goals ahead of his 10th CFL season, how the Combine process has changed since he worked out for CFL teams in 2014 and much more. Matt and Nik also continue our 70th Season Grey Cup recaps by breaking down the performance of our 1985 champions and a big win over Hamilton.

Matt and Nik dish out their favourite Lions home game themes of 2024 plus begin their deep dives into our Grey Cup championship teams with a look at the 1964 squad! Tanya Henderson also joins the fellas to talk about an exciting new flag football venture as we honour International Women’s Day.