The Lions fell behind 17-4 in the second quarter, but responded with 28 unanswered points to improve their record to 5-1 while dropping the Riders to 4-4. Nathan Rourke, who continues to shine in his first season as the starting quarterback, said while there was some concern about the slow start, the Lions were confident they could find their way as the game wore on. “There was nothing special (about the return). They were just there making some plays and we just had to play at (a) higher level. We’re very confident that when we perform to the best of our ability, no one can get in our way but ourselves,” Rourke said. “Kudos to Saskatchewan, they made some great plays early, but we found a way. I’m very proud of the kids who did it.” Like Rourke, defensive lineman Mathieu Betts was confident the Lions had the time and ability to change the game. “The atmosphere was good even though we were down, but with the way the No. 12 can play, we know we’re always in the game. We really didn’t change anything defensively. We had some turnovers that we had to make and we just tried to rebound and do our best to try to get the ball back on offense and that’s what we did,” Betts said. BC entered the game with just four sacks allowed in its first five games. Anthony Lanier and Charleston Hughes picked up sacks for the Riders early on, but the Lions offensive line regained its composure and provided Rourke with great protection the rest of the game. “They did a great job. They didn’t blink early in the game. It was a rough start and they would be the first to tell you that. But they definitely came together,” Rourke said. “It’s a very talented defensive line in Saskatchewan. . . We knew our offensive line was going to have their hands full and they did a really good job of handling it and got better as the game went on. That was a big key to turning things around.” The Lions, chasing the undefeated Winnipeg Blue Bombers for first place in the West Division, haven’t started a season 5-1 since 2007, when they topped the division with a 14-3-1 record. Friday’s game was the first of three scheduled games between the teams in a five-week series. Rourke was not ready to admit that Friday’s win gives the Lions a leg up on the riders going into the next two games. “I think every game we play, whether it’s East or West, is important (but) the West games are especially important,” Rourke said. “It’s not easy to beat a team once, never mind three times in a season.” Rourke continued to live up to the hype Friday by completing 27 of 33 passes for 336 yards and two touchdowns. He now has 1,941 yards on 153-of-193 passing with 16 touchdowns. The Lions have a talented group of receivers that will only improve next week with the expected return of veteran Bryan Burnham, who has been sidelined since June 25 with broken ribs and a punctured lung. The Riders are heading into a bye week after working through a tough few weeks. They were hit by an outbreak of COVID-19 after their July 16 game in Halifax against Toronto, which left them relegated for last week’s rematch against the Argos. They also had to deal with high-profile suspensions of defensive tackle Garrett Marino (four games) and receiver Duke Williams (one game). Quarterback Cody Fajardo, who missed last week’s game due to COVID protocols, injured his medial collateral ligament (MCL) in Week 2 and has worn a large brace every game since. Despite these issues, the Lions weren’t going to underestimate Fajardo. “Fajardo is a good fullback in this league. He’s obviously a great athlete, so that’s how I treat him. . . If he’s out there, he’s got to be ready to roll and be the guy that’s going to give them the best chance to win the game, that’s how we treated him,” Betts said. The Lions got a touchdown by Rourke on a 1-yard run along with a 15-yard reception by Jevon Cottoy and a 14-yard catch by Dominique Rhymes. Kicker Sean Whyte had field goals of 16 and 39 yards and added a 46-yard miss. Stefan Flintoft had two singles in the openers. The Lions also had a safety when Marcus Sayles tackled Riders running back Jamal Morrow in the end zone in the second quarter. Betts had two sacks with Obum Gwacham and Tibo Debaille each picking up a sack. Former Rider Loucheiz Purifoy had an interception for the Lions. Fajardo, on a one-yard run, and Tevin Jones, on an eight-yard reception, scored touchdowns for Saskatchewan. Brett Lauther added a 28-yard field goal. This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 29, 2022
title: “Nathan Rourke Bc Lions Saskatchewan Roughriders " ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-21” author: “Robbie Maher”
The Lions fell behind 17-4 in the second quarter, but responded with 28 unanswered points to improve their record to 5-1 while dropping the Riders to 4-4. Nathan Rourke, who continues to shine in his first season as the starting quarterback, said while there was some concern about the slow start, the Lions were confident they could find their way as the game wore on. “There was nothing special (about the return). They were just there making some plays and we just had to play at (a) higher level. We’re very confident that when we perform to the best of our ability, no one can get in our way but ourselves,” Rourke said. “Kudos to Saskatchewan, they made some great plays early, but we found a way. I’m very proud of the kids who did it.” Like Rourke, defensive lineman Mathieu Betts was confident the Lions had the time and ability to change the game. “The atmosphere was good even though we were down, but with the way the No. 12 can play, we know we’re always in the game. We really didn’t change anything defensively. We had some turnovers that we had to make and we just tried to rebound and do our best to try to get the ball back on offense and that’s what we did,” Betts said. BC entered the game with just four sacks allowed in its first five games. Anthony Lanier and Charleston Hughes picked up sacks for the Riders early on, but the Lions offensive line regained its composure and provided Rourke with great protection the rest of the game. “They did a great job. They didn’t blink early in the game. It was a rough start and they would be the first to tell you that. But they definitely came together,” Rourke said. “It’s a very talented defensive line in Saskatchewan. . . We knew our offensive line was going to have their hands full and they did a really good job of handling it and got better as the game went on. That was a big key to turning things around.” The Lions, chasing the undefeated Winnipeg Blue Bombers for first place in the West Division, haven’t started a season 5-1 since 2007, when they topped the division with a 14-3-1 record. Friday’s game was the first of three scheduled games between the teams in a five-week series. Rourke was not ready to admit that Friday’s win gives the Lions a leg up on the riders going into the next two games. “I think every game we play, whether it’s East or West, is important (but) the West games are especially important,” Rourke said. “It’s not easy to beat a team once, never mind three times in a season.” Rourke continued to live up to the hype Friday by completing 27 of 33 passes for 336 yards and two touchdowns. He now has 1,941 yards on 153-of-193 passing with 16 touchdowns. The Lions have a talented group of receivers that will only improve next week with the expected return of veteran Bryan Burnham, who has been sidelined since June 25 with broken ribs and a punctured lung. The Riders are heading into a bye week after working through a tough few weeks. They were hit by an outbreak of COVID-19 after their July 16 game in Halifax against Toronto, which left them relegated for last week’s rematch against the Argos. They also had to deal with high-profile suspensions of defensive tackle Garrett Marino (four games) and receiver Duke Williams (one game). Quarterback Cody Fajardo, who missed last week’s game due to COVID protocols, injured his medial collateral ligament (MCL) in Week 2 and has worn a large brace every game since. Despite these issues, the Lions weren’t going to underestimate Fajardo. “Fajardo is a good fullback in this league. He’s obviously a great athlete, so that’s how I treat him. . . If he’s out there, he’s got to be ready to roll and be the guy that’s going to give them the best chance to win the game, that’s how we treated him,” Betts said. The Lions got a touchdown by Rourke on a 1-yard run along with a 15-yard reception by Jevon Cottoy and a 14-yard catch by Dominique Rhymes. Kicker Sean Whyte had field goals of 16 and 39 yards and added a 46-yard miss. Stefan Flintoft had two singles in the openers. The Lions also had a safety when Marcus Sayles tackled Riders running back Jamal Morrow in the end zone in the second quarter. Betts had two sacks with Obum Gwacham and Tibo Debaille each picking up a sack. Former Rider Loucheiz Purifoy had an interception for the Lions. Fajardo, on a one-yard run, and Tevin Jones, on an eight-yard reception, scored touchdowns for Saskatchewan. Brett Lauther added a 28-yard field goal. This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 29, 2022