Quarterbacks O’Connor, Fajardo in the spotlight as Riders visit Lions
VANCOUVER — Three months after Nathan Rourke silenced skeptics with a breakout begin to the season, the B.C. Lions can have one other Canadian quarterback below centre after they host the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday.
However Lions head coach Rick Campbell is not anticipating lightning to strike twice.
Michael O’Connor will make his first profession begin instead of the injured Rourke because the Lions (8-1) look to stretch their successful streak to 6 video games. Whereas Campbell is eager to see what the pivot from Ottawa can do, he’s managing expectations.
“Have an open thoughts and do not make assumptions,” Campbell stated Wednesday. “The man could make the throws. He understands what we’re doing on the offence. I feel he’s obtained an incredible alternative for him personally. He’s obtained an incredible supporting solid, and so I’m wanting ahead to seeing how he goes.”
The 24-year-old Rourke, born in Victoria and raised in Oakville, Ont., was off to a record-setting tempo in his first marketing campaign as a starter earlier than struggling a foot harm final Friday in Regina. Even when he would not return this season, Rourke’s 79.2 per cent completion mark (minimal 300 passes) would stand as a single-season league report.
With out their star QB, the Lions try to strategy Friday with a balanced mindset.
“We’ve obtained to know tips on how to stroll and chew gum — do two issues on the similar time,” stated Antonio Pipkin, who strikes into the backup quarterback place. “We really feel sorry for Nathan, how the harm befell. However we’ve obtained to have the ability to proceed to push ahead.”
Now, the keys to the offence have been handed to the 26-year-old O’Connor.
After wins of 32-17 at Mosaic Stadium on July 29 and 28-10 final week, a victory on Friday to wrap up the home-and-home set would give B.C. its first season sweep of Saskatchewan (5-5) since 2016.
Like Rourke, O’Connor has a robust pedigree. The six-foot-five pivot redshirted his freshman yr after being recruited by Penn State, then transferred to UBC. As a freshman in 2015, he earned Vanier Cup MVP honours. O’Connor signed as a free agent with the Lions final February. In 2021, he dressed for six contests with the Calgary Stampeder, however didn’t see any motion.
O’Connor expects to be examined by an aggressive Roughriders defence.
“We’re anticipating stress,” he stated. “However you by no means know what they may do. Obtained to be prepared for every thing, you understand. They like to combine it up.”
Pipkin noticed his first recreation motion of the season in Regina final week, speeding for 14 yards and two touchdowns on 4 carries in short-yardage conditions.
“That was all offensive line,” he stated of his scoring performs. “They moved every thing out of the best way. I simply tried to do my half.”
The Lions have additionally been sturdy defensively, particularly within the second half. Over the past 5 video games, they’ve allowed simply 16 whole factors after the break. And after 5 tackles, two sacks and an essential compelled fumble early within the fourth quarter final Friday, B.C. defensive lineman Obum Gwacham was named the CFL’s high performer of the week. He’s the third Lions participant to earn the honour this season, following Rourke (5 occasions) and broad receiver Keon Hatcher.
Linebacker Bo Lokombo additionally returns to the B.C. lineup this week after lacking 5 video games with an elbow harm.
After producing simply 41 yards of offense and throwing two interceptions because the Lions constructed a 21-3 lead, Roughriders starter Cody Fajardo was pulled in favour of Mason Positive simply earlier than halftime final week.
Fajardo’s efficiency has been hampered by accidents this season, however he’ll return to the starter’s function on Friday with the complete confidence of Saskatchewan coach Craig Dickenson.
“I do not need him taking part in scared and I instructed him that,” Dickenson stated. “I stated ‘You are going to get an opportunity to go on the market and make errors and we’ll be behind you 100 per cent.’ I instructed him, ‘We’re going to experience with you.’”
“With our defence, it would not matter who the quarterback is again there,” Gwacham stated. “So long as we play the sport like we must always, we will get to any quarterback, no matter who it’s. So, we’ll exit and play ball.”
Fajardo shall be working with out two of essential members of the offence this week. Prime rusher Jamal Morrow is sidelined with a damaged hand, whereas No. 1 receiver Duke Williams can be on the injured listing. Receiver Kyran Moore is anticipated to return to motion for the primary time since struggling an ACL tear final October.
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS (5-5) AT B.C. LIONS (8-1)
Friday, 10:30 p.m. ET, B.C. Place
RIVALRY NIGHT – A big crowd is anticipated Friday night time at B.C. Place. Ticketholders will even obtain a move totally free weekday admission to the PNE Honest, on by means of Sept. 5.
ROURKE’S RETURN? – Rourke instructed the media on Monday that he hopes to be “forward of the curve” in recovering from his foot surgical procedure. In 2018, he stated he recovered forward of schedule from a posterior labrum tear.
WILSON TO IR – Riders linebacker Gary Johnson Jr. will miss Friday’s recreation as he serves a one-game suspension for violating the staff’s code of conduct throughout an off-field incident. In his first recreation again after his four-game suspension, Saskatchewan defensive lineman Garrett Marino was fined an undisclosed quantity by the CFL on Thursday for pointless roughness towards B.C.’s Peter Godber.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Aug. 25, 2022.
Carol Schram, The Canadian Press
