VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Nathan Rourke threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns in his first game as a starter for the BC Lions, leading them to a 31-14 victory over the Edmonton Elks on Saturday.
Game Highlights
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Rourke’s Performance:
- Completed 27 of 36 passing attempts.
- Connected twice with Stanley Berryhill III in the end zone.
- Justin McInnis caught his first touchdown of the year.
- James Butler contributed another touchdown.
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Kicking:
- Veteran kicker Sean Whyte added a field goal from 22 yards out.
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Coaching:
- The Lions played their first game under rookie head coach Buck Pierce.
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Edmonton’s Offense:
- Tre Ford threw for one interception and was sacked twice, finishing with 178 yards.
- Running back Cody Fajardo scored two short-yardage rushing touchdowns.
Pre-Game Atmosphere
Before kickoff, rapper Snoop Dogg performed for an announced crowd of more than 52,000 fans at BC Place Stadium, creating an electric atmosphere.
Rourke’s Comeback
The win marked a strong start to Rourke’s season as he aims to build on last year’s performance, where he led Vancouver into the Western Division semifinals before suffering an injury against Calgary on October 1.
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Recovery:
- Rourke has been working hard this offseason after undergoing surgery for his injury.
- "I’m feeling good," said Rourke after the win. "It was great to get back out there and play some football again."
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Appreciation for the Game:
- Rourke noted the adjustment to playing without pain and expressed a deeper appreciation for football.
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Team Support:
- He credited his teammates for their support throughout his recovery, stating, "They’ve been great."
Player Contributions
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Receiving:
- McInnis had six catches for over 100 yards.
- Berryhill III recorded seven receptions, including both touchdowns.
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Running Game:
- Butler had nine carries, while James Wilder Jr. had five carries, including one touchdown.
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Rookie Performance:
- Rookie wide receiver Shai Ryan made four catches.
- Backup quarterback Chris Streveler made several plays when called upon.
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Defense:
- The defensive line held strong against Ford, allowing just two sacks.
- Linebacker Jordan Williams recorded eight tackles.
- Lions safety T.J. Lee intercepted Ford, marking his third pick of the preseason.
Looking Ahead
Edmonton will look forward to their next game against Winnipeg at IG Field. Ford believes that despite the loss, the team has plenty of potential moving forward. He emphasized that everyone is still learning new systems and feels that starting from scratch could be beneficial. Ford praised head coach Mark Kilam, stating, "He knows how we can get better," and added, "We’re gonna keep grinding."
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