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In a thrilling encounter at BC Place, Nathan Rourke led the B.C. Lions to a hard-fought 27-22 victory against the Toronto Argonauts. Despite challenges, Rourke’s performance proved pivotal, marking a significant achievement in his career as a Canadian quarterback.
This win allowed Rourke to surpass the legendary Gerry Dattilio, claiming the second spot on the CFL’s all-time passing yards list for Canadian quarterbacks with a total of 9,952 yards. Rourke showcased a mix of brilliance and adversity, throwing for 235 yards, completing 16 of 25 attempts, with one touchdown and three interceptions.
Game highlights and key performances
The matchup began slowly for both teams, with the Argonauts first opening the scoring through a long field goal by kicker Lirim Hajrullahu in the first quarter. Rourke quickly retaliated, attempting to connect with receiver Justin McInnis, but the pass was intercepted by Toronto’s Willie Drew.
The Argonauts soon faced a similar setback when Nick Arbuckle’s deep throw was intercepted by rookie Jackson Findlay. This turnover provided the Lions an opportunity, allowing them to work down the field but ultimately settling for a 30-yard field goal from Sean Whyte, leveling the score at 3-3.
Turning point moments
As the game progressed, both teams exchanged field goals, with Toronto regaining the lead through Hajrullahu’s 18-yard kick. However, Lions running back James Butler made a significant impact with a powerful 45-yard run, setting up Rourke for a touchdown pass to McInnis, who stretched into the end zone under pressure.
This pivotal moment gave the Lions a 10-6 advantage.
With less than three minutes remaining in the first half, Whyte extended the lead with a 47-yard field goal, resulting in a halftime score of 13-9. The Argonauts refused to back down, as Hajrullahu added a 35-yard field goal early in the third quarter, narrowing the Lions’ lead to just one point.
Final quarter drama
The excitement intensified as the Lions aimed to extend their lead. Rourke’s creativity was evident when he threw a potential touchdown pass to Keon Hatcher Sr., but it was thwarted by a pass interference call against Drew, granting B.C. a first down at the Argonauts’ one-yard line. Rourke then executed a remarkable rush, powering through defenders for another touchdown, increasing the Lions’ lead to 20-12.
Toronto responded with a long-range field goal from Hajrullahu, but Rourke added another rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter, bringing the score to 27-15 after a successful extra point from Whyte. The Argonauts fought back, with Arbuckle connecting with Polk for a touchdown, and Hajrullahu making the extra point to cut the lead to 27-22.
Defensive highlights and game conclusion
As the clock wound down, the Lions’ defense shone, highlighted by a crucial sack from Mathieu Betts, resulting in a fumble recovery by linebacker Josh Woods. This defensive stand helped secure the victory for the Lions as they maintained their lead in the closing moments.
The game showcased Rourke’s emerging legacy and marked significant milestones for several players, including Butler surpassing 1,000 rushing yards and McInnis reaching over 1,000 receiving yards. The Lions’ defense limited the Argonauts to just 28 rushing yards, emphasizing their dominance on that side of the ball.
This win allowed Rourke to surpass the legendary Gerry Dattilio, claiming the second spot on the CFL’s all-time passing yards list for Canadian quarterbacks with a total of 9,952 yards. Rourke showcased a mix of brilliance and adversity, throwing for 235 yards, completing 16 of 25 attempts, with one touchdown and three interceptions.0
