Rourke reaches new heights as B.C. Lions rout struggling Edmonton Elks 46-14 – Edmonton

Simply seven video games into his first season as a CFL starter, B.C. Lions star Nathan Rourke is already breaking his personal data.

The 24-year-old quarterback threw for an eye-popping 477 yards on Saturday as his facet dismantled the Edmonton Elks 46-14.

The Victoria-born Rourke not solely topped his personal mark for probably the most passing yards by a Canadian QB in a single recreation, he did it whereas finishing 34 of 37 makes an attempt with 5 landing passes. For good measure, he added a seven-yard speeding main, too.

“He’s acquired the correct mindset and manner,” mentioned Lions head coach Rick Campbell. “He’s not a roller-coaster man, simply involves work each single day.”

“I’m completely happy for him as a result of he does issues the correct means and works onerous and does all these issues. So when guys do this they usually get rewarded for it, it’s good things.”

The QB’s gorgeous displaying even drew reward from Elks head coach Chris Jones.

“That’s about nearly as good a efficiency as I’ve ever seen,” he mentioned. “He’s a really correct passer. He’s very calm. He’s athletic sufficient to maneuver round together with his ft and throw the soccer and when he must run, he runs. He’s a troublesome competitor.”

Rourke nonetheless noticed room for enchancment, saying there have been locations he might have picked a greater spot for a cross Saturday or a greater lane for a run.

He conceded, although, that he’s having fun with the Lions’ (6-1) success.

“Soccer is enjoyable when issues are going proper. So I’m completely happy for that,” Rourke mentioned. “However we’ll preserve transferring, preserve constructing from this.”

On the opposite facet of the ball, the struggles continued for the Elks (2-6) on Saturday.

Edmonton slotted Taylor Cornelius again in at QB after Tre Ford was added to the six-game injured checklist Friday, however couldn’t remedy a B.C. facet that took a 59-15 win in Week 1 motion.

Cornelius threw for 183 yards, connecting on 15 of 26 makes an attempt with one landing cross and an interception. He was sacked 5 occasions.

“We’ve acquired to play higher,” he mentioned. “Offensively, we’ve acquired to place up greater than 14 factors a recreation towards these guys and we’ve acquired to maintain the defence off the sector.”

Either side stuttered to begin the sport, with the Elks turning the ball over on their first two possessions and the Lions combating a pretend subject purpose.

B.C. capitalized on Edmonton’s second error when Rourke linked with Dominique Rhymes on a two-yard landing cross to cap a six-play, 49-yard scoring drive that put B.C. up 7-0 halfway by the primary quarter.

Edmonton responded, steadily working its means down the sector earlier than Cornelius escaped the pocket and fired a 19-yard bullet to Kenny Lawler ultimately zone. The seven-play, 69-yard drive marked the Elks’ solely factors of the primary half.

B.C. was removed from by.

The Lions began their subsequent possession with a 49-yard cross from Rourke to Fortunate Whitehead, who sprinted into Edmonton territory. The younger QB adopted up with a 16-yard toss to Keon Hatcher, then tacked on a 14-yard run. Earlier than the tip of the opening body, he sailed one other ball to Rhymes for a significant.

The pair linked as soon as once more halfway by the second when Rhymes, underneath stress, leapt as much as reel in a 15-yard toss for his third TD of the sport, a play that boosted B.C.’s cushion to 20-7.

“My workforce put me ready to have the ability to make performs” Rhymes mentioned, including that he’s merely attempting to reside as much as the play of teammates like receiver Bryan Burnham. “They’re simply giving me alternatives, and I’m simply attempting to be an excellent teammate and capitalize on my alternatives.”

Simply minutes later, Rourke discovered Whitehead open and the speedy receiver darted 37 yards down the sector, outrunning Nafees Lyon for a 69-yard landing.

B.C. then scored on its fifth straight possession when Whyte hit a 47-yard subject purpose.

Rourke ended the half with yet one more TD, discovering Burnham alongside the sideline ultimately zone with six seconds left within the half. The veteran receiver made certain to get a foot down for the key.

Saturday’s recreation marked Burnham’s return to the lineup after struggling damaged ribs and a collapsed lung in a crushing hit by Toronto Argonauts defensive again Shaq Richardson on June 25.

He celebrated by hauling in six catches for 82 yards — and moved into fourth spot on the Lions’ all-time receiving yards checklist.

“(Burnham’s) had such an exceptional profession,” Rourke mentioned. “He’s one of many all-time nice Lions and to have the ability to be part of his legacy is fairly cool to me. And I’m actually completely happy for him and glad to have him again.”

Rourke completed the primary half with 386 passing yards and 5 landing passes and B.C. went into the locker room up 37-7.

The workforce nonetheless wished to win the second half, Campbell mentioned.

“The CFL is a loopy league, in a great way,” the coach mentioned. “You simply by no means know what’s going to occur. The video games aren’t over when the scores are the best way it’s.”

Early within the third, Lions defensive lineman Mathieu Betts sacked Cornelius for the second time within the recreation. Edmonton recorded a four-yard loss and B.C. added two factors for a security.

Rourke confirmed he has greater than only a good arm halfway by the body. Seeing a gap, he sprinted seven yards and shook off a success by Duron Carter so as to add a seven-yard speeding TD to his rating line.

The Elks appeared poised to finish the scoring drought earlier than the shut of the quarter however Sione Teuhema spoiled the occasion with a sack. It was the fifth time the Lions took down Cornelius on the evening.

Irons lastly chalked up some factors for the guests early within the fourth, sprinting six yards into the tip zone. The landing reduce Edmonton’s deficit to 46-14.

“We performed some good stable man-to-man early and we defended the run,” Jones mentioned of the Elks’ play. “However then as the sport wore on, we misplaced confidence in our capacity to remain near the receivers. After which they did a superb job of not solely delivering the soccer however high-pointing and making some good catches.”

The Lions can be again in motion subsequent Saturday after they tackle the Stampeders in Calgary. The Elks will host the Saskatchewan Roughriders later that evening.

The Canadian Press