Lions QB Rourke throws record-setting 436 yards, B.C. dominates Toronto Argos 44-3
VANCOUVER — Even after setting a CFL document, B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke noticed room for enchancment.
The 24-year-old native of Victoria, B.C., threw for 436 yards on Saturday, powering the Lions to a dominant 44-3 victory over the Toronto Argonauts.
It was probably the most passing yards a Canadian quarterback has ever put up in a CFL sport, eclipsing the 427-yard mark set by Gerry Dattilio in 1981.
“I am only a distributor of the soccer on the market. These guys are getting in the correct positions and so they’re making large performs,” Rourke mentioned after the win.
“There have been a pair throws at this time, particularly the primary half the place I wasn’t practically as correct as I should be. However these guys made some performs for me and made me look good on the market.”
The efficiency was no shock to veteran Lions defensive again Gary Peters.
“Once you come into the power, he is the primary one there. And I am one of many final folks to depart. He is actually there after me, strolling consuming a peanut butter jelly sandwich, looking for one thing to do. He is all the time working it doesn’t matter what,” he mentioned.
“He’s making an attempt to good himself. He is a younger man, however you possibly can see in his eyes that he’s actually hungry.”
Rourke accomplished 39 of 45 passes on Saturday, together with 4 touchdowns. He was sacked as soon as.
Dominique Rhymes hauled in two majors for B.C. (2-0), whereas Bryan Burnham and Jevon Cottoy every had one. Fullback David Mackie scored a dashing TD late within the fourth quarter. Kicker Sean Whyte chipped in with three area targets, together with a 50-yard strike.
B.C.’s defence smothered the Argos (1-1), holding McLeod Bethel-Thompson to 178 passing yards. The Toronto quarterback related on 15 of 21 makes an attempt, threw one interception and was sacked twice earlier than being changed late within the fourth quarter.
Chad Kelly got here on in reduction and threw for 26 yards, finishing two of 4 makes an attempt. He was sacked as soon as and threw one interception.
The Argos’ solely factors of the evening got here off a 23-yard area objective from Boris Bede early within the second quarter.
“I am completely embarrassed. That was a horrible show of soccer,” mentioned Toronto head coach Ryan Dinwiddie. “That was a tricky loss. It sucks. I hate it. However we won’t let it damage our season. We’ve simply obtained to return to work and discover methods to get higher.”
The Lions have been coming off of a bye week however confirmed no rust early in Saturday’s sport, kicking it off with an eight-play, 68-yard scoring drive.
Rourke scrambled out of a collapsing pocket to choose up 11 yards and a primary down, then capped the drive with a crisp 19-yard cross to Burnham in the long run zone. The veteran large receiver bowed twice to the group after tallying his first landing of the season.
B.C.’s defensive unit was examined on Toronto’s first possession of the evening, with DaVaris Daniels powering by way of a sort out and Bethel-Thompson discovering Dejon Brissett on the Lions’ one-yard line.
The Lions stood robust and denied the guests all 3 times they tried to sneak into the tip zone. Toronto turned the ball over on downs.
“After which it simply snowballed and we could not get nothing going,” Dinwiddie mentioned. “And we get a bit bit going within the third quarter then we fumble. I imply, all people had a hand in it. It is simply It is upsetting, however we’ve obtained to seek out methods to get higher.”
Early within the second quarter, B.C. cornerback Delvin Breaux knocked down a protracted toss from Bethel-Thompson to Brandon Banks and Dinwiddie challenged the decision, arguing defensive cross interference. On overview, officers agreed and Toronto was awarded a primary down on the B.C. 21-yard line.
Lions defensive lineman David Menard sacked Bethel-Thompson on the following play, however the Argos nonetheless managed to attain on the drive, with Bede booting a area objective that lower Toronto’s deficit to 10-3.
Rourke elevated the Lions’ cushion halfway by way of the half, discovering Rhymes in the long run zone with a 19-yard bullet to cap a nine-play, 70-yard scoring drive.
B.C. headed to the locker room up 20-3 after Whyte hit a 44-yard area objective to shut out the second quarter.
A rash of accidents swept by way of B.C.’s lineup late within the first half, although, with linebacker Bo Lokombo, working again James Butler and Burnham all heading to the locker room with game-ending accidents. Receiver Fortunate Whitehead appeared to endure an ankle harm too however stayed within the sport.
“A few folks went down however it simply makes us stronger,” Rhymes mentioned. “And it simply reveals the flexibility we’ve got on offence. When one man goes down, that is our brother, so we need to be certain we solely choose it up for him.”
Lions head coach Rick Campbell mentioned Burnham went to hospital to have additional checks performed and the group will not know his standing till Sunday. Lokombo and Butler could also be accessible to play subsequent week.
Halfway by way of the third body, Wynton McMannis hauled down Rourke round centre area for a seven-yard loss. The Lions remained undeterred, although, and despatched Whyte out for a 50-yard area objective try. He made the kick, giving B.C. a 23-3 lead.
Lions defensive finish Obum Gwacham appeared to precise some revenge on the following possession, sacking Bethel-Thompson.
Rourke’s arching 29-yard toss to a wide-open Cottoy deep within the pink zone arrange B.C.’s third TD of the evening late within the third quarter. Cottoy took a few fast steps into the tip zone and tallied his first main of the season.
The ultimate body noticed Rourke once more join with Rhymes, this time with a 24-yard toss. Stationed simply outdoors of the tip zone, Rhymes simply accomplished the landing and the Lions took a 37-3 lead.
Peters added to Toronto’s woes halfway by way of the fourth quarter, selecting off Bethel-Thompson’s cross.
Mackie — filling in at working again for the injured Butler — muscled the ball over the objective line late within the fourth for his first CFL landing. A profitable convert from Whyte gave the house aspect a 44-3 lead.
Kelly got here on for Bethel-Thompson to shut out the sport and was rapidly sacked by Menard.
The Lions will probably be again in motion on Thursday once they sort out the Redblacks in Ottawa. The Argos will host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on July 4.
FOOTNOTES: The victory offers B.C. a 2-0 begin to the season for the primary time since 2016. … Argos offensive lineman Jonathan Zamora limped off the sector after being injured on a play halfway by way of the fourth quarter. Saturday marked the a centesimal all-time assembly between the 2 groups. B.C. holds a 60-38-2 edge within the collection.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed June 25, 2022.
Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
