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The B.C. Lions jumped out to a big early lead in Victoria, and won for the first time in six games on Saturday
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Published Aug 31, 2024 • Last updated 51 minutes ago • 4 minute read
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B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, front centre, David Mackie, right, and Jevon Cottoy, back left, celebrate after Rourke ran the ball for a touchdown during the first half of a CFL football game against the Ottawa Redblacks, in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday, August 31, 2024. Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
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Ten minutes into Touchdown Pacific, B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke lined up on a first-and-goal from the one-yard line, tucked himself behind the big boys in front of him, and churned his way into the end zone at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria.
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The celebration was … something. A shallow, ironically inaccurate spike. A stumble into a tumble. His helmet flying off accidentally. It was awkward and beautiful; two years’ worth of pressure and unmet expectations being released in a tornado of pure joy.
This game wasn’t about Rourke, playing in his birthplace. It wasn’t about the spectacle of Touchdown Pacific, the second-biggest franchise among CFL games. It wasn’t about Mathieu Betts, the latest elite CFLer snubbed by the NFL to return to the Lions.
No, Saturday afternoon’s game was all about November 17. A loss, a sixth straight, would have cut the heart out of the Lions, and made an appearance in the Grey Cup at B.C. Place on Nov. 17. The nearly $400,000 that owner Amar Doman had invested above and beyond the salary cap to bring Rourke and Betts back midseason would have become a cautionary tale about eggs and single baskets.
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Saturday’s goal was, as Rourke made clear in his truncated halftime interview, all about winning.
This #BCLions team is so capable of winning the Grey Cup. They are so dominant when they’re clicking on all phases. It was great to see them do that tonight. Hopefully this is a confidence booster for these types of performances to continue so they can finish 1st in the west.
— YoungJudd (@YoungJudd_1) September 1, 2024
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By the time four quarters had been played in front of the more than 14,000 beer-starved fans — some taps went dry during the game — the win-starved Lions got what they craved and required: A victory.
The Lions (6-6) snapped their losing streak and halted Ottawa’s (7-3-1) six-game unbeaten run with a 38-12 decision that not only put them temporarily in first place in the West Decision, but came in a manner that allowed them to puff their chests out.
“It’s big. We’re coming down the last third of the season, and we got to stay in the mix,” said head coach Rick Campbell. “We had good energy. Our guys … I think they were sick and tired of losing.”
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B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, top centre, jumps into the arms of Ayden Eberhardt as they celebrate Eberhardt’s touchdown against the Ottawa Redblacks during the first half of a CFL football game, in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday, August 31, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Dru Brown prepares to pass during the first half of a CFL football game against the B.C. Lions, in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday, August 31, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Ottawa Redblacks head coach Bob Dyce, left, argues a call with official Walt Hawrysh during the first half of a CFL football game against the B.C. Lions, in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday, August 31, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, back left, and Ayden Eberhardt, left to right, Stanley Berryhill III, Keon Hatcher Sr. and Jevon Cottoy celebrate Eberhardt’s touchdown against the Ottawa Redblacks during the first half of a CFL football game, in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday, August 31, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Ottawa Redblacks’ Ryquell Armstead, top right, is tackled by B.C. Lions’ Ayinde Eley, left, and T.J. Lee as he carries the ball during the first half of a CFL football game, in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday, August 31, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, back right, is stopped as he carries the ball during the first half of a CFL football game against the Ottawa Redblacks, in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday, August 31, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
B.C. Lions players run onto the field before a CFL football game against the Ottawa Redblacks, in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday, August 31, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, front centre, David Mackie, right, and Jevon Cottoy, back left, celebrate after Rourke ran the ball for a touchdown during the first half of a CFL football game against the Ottawa Redblacks, in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday, August 31, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
B.C. Lions players huddle together before warming up for a CFL football game against the Ottawa Redblacks, in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday, August 31, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke passes while warming up before a CFL football game against the Ottawa Redblacks, in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday, August 31, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke calls a play during the first half of a CFL football game against the Ottawa Redblacks, in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday, August 31, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, left, runs with the ball before completing a pass as Ottawa Redblacks’ Lorenzo Mauldin IV watches during the second half of a CFL football game, in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday, August 31, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Ottawa Redblacks’ Davion Taylor (43) leaps over B.C. Lions’ Jevon Cottoy (86) after Cottoy failed to make the reception in the end zone during the second half of a CFL football game, in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday, August 31, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Dru Brown, right, passes as B.C. Lions’ Sione Teuhema defends during the second half of a CFL football game, in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday, August 31, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
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Rourke, for the first half at least, looked like the player who shattered passing records in 2022. Betts looked like the same sack-happy demon named the CFL’s 2023 Most Outstanding Defence player. And the Lions looked like the team that started the season 5-1.
Rourke was 14-of-18 for 248 yards and two passing touchdowns in the first half, fitting balls into narrow windows, dancing in the pocket and making whipsnap decisions. He finished with 325 yards, three passing TDs and an interception on 21-of-30 passing.
With great grandma in the stands, the Canadian QB took care of business — and the ball, with just one turnover Saturday.
“It was big,” Rourke said of the win.
“That’s a good football team Ottawa. They’re well coached. They play hard, physical. We knew that at halftime they weren’t just going to roll over and take it. There’s a lot to build on. I think that it’s a good thing, though. I don’t think it’s good to peak at this part of the season, like we still need to continue to get better play a full four quarters.”
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The Lions had four sacks, one coming from Betts — who had a single walk-through practice with B.C. since signing on Wednesday — a week after being torn apart by Ottawa’s Dru Brown. This time, the Redblacks quarterback barely saw the ball in the opening two quarters, and when he did, he was ineffective. At one point in the second quarter, punter Richie Leone had more passing yards than he did (27 yards to 25).
His 206 yards and single score, coming in the third quarter, was a far cry from the 390/3 TD night a week before.
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While Rourke and Betts got the attention coming in, it was running back Will Stanback who was the pillar supporting the victory. He had 93 yards and one touchdown rushing, and another 78 yards receiving through the air — both game highs — taking the edge off the Ottawa blitz and unsettling the defence enough that Rourke had room to operate.
Ottawa didn’t help their cause with 144 penalty yards, and although B.C. had just 40 overall, the Leos were flagged twice for objectionable conduct penalties on third downs, extending a Redblacks’ late-game red zone drive.
Betts now gets to fly back to Montreal, his hometown and where he was hanging after being cut by the Detroit Lions earlier this week, as the Lions take on the league-leading Alouettes at Percival Molson Memorial stadium this coming Friday.
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“The older guys around in this league, they say that the season starts after Labour Day. So I guess I got here right on time,” he said. “Obviously, it’s when the season starts to starts to get important.
“*This is) just one game. We need to enjoy this game tonight and refocus on what’s coming up next week. We have a big game against a good Montreal team on the road. It’s a big challenge.”
jadams@postmedia.com
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Courtesy : https://theprovince.com/sports/football/cfl/bc-lions/lions-38-redblacks-12-rourke-business-touchdown-pacific