REGINA — It took a while, but the BC Lions offense continued to roll in a 32-17 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday.
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 Raiders 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 progressed.
“There was nothing special (about the return). They were just out there making some plays and we just had to perform at (a) higher level. We are very confident that when we perform to the best of our ability, no one can stand in our way but ourselves,” said Rourke.
“To Saskatchewan’s credit, they made some great plays early on, but we found a way. I’m extremely proud of the boys for doing it.”
Like Rourke, defender Matthew Betts was confident the Lions had the time and ability to turn the game around.
“The atmosphere was good even though we went down, but the way the No. 12 can play, we know we’re always in the game. We didn’t really change anything defensively. We had a few tweaks we had to make and just try to reset and do everything we could to try to get the ball back to the forward 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 Raiders early on, but the Lions’ offensive line regained its composure and gave Rourke outstanding defense the rest of the game.
“They did a great job. They didn’t blink at the start of the match. It was a rough start and they would be the first to tell you that. But they certainly came together,” Rourke said.
“This is a very talented defensive line in Saskatchewan. . . We knew our offensive line was going to have its hands full and they did a really good job of handling it and getting better as the game went on. That was a big key for us to turn things around.”
The Lions, who are chasing the undefeated Winnipeg Blue Bombers for first place in the West Division, have not started a season 5-1 since 2007, when they led the division with a 14-3-1 record.
Friday’s game was the first of three scheduled meetings between the teams in five weeks. Rourke wasn’t ready to admit that Friday’s win gives the Lions a two-game lead over the Raiders.
“I think every game we play, whether it’s in the East or the West, is important (but) the games in the West 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, 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 improve next week with the expected return of veteran Bryan Burnham, who has been sidelined since June 25 with fractured ribs and a punctured lung.
The Riders head into a bye week after having a rough few weeks. They were hit by an outbreak of COVID-19 after their July 16 game in Halifax against Toronto, which left them understaffed for the rematch against the Argos last week. They also had to deal with high-profile suspensions of quarterback Garrett Marino (four games) and receiver Duke Williams (one game).
Quarterback Cody Fajardo, who missed last week’s game due to COVID protocols, suffered a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury in Week 2 and has worn a large brace every game since.
Despite those issues, the Lions weren’t about to underestimate Fajardo.
“Fajardo is a good defender in this league. He’s obviously a great athlete, so that’s how I treat him. . . If he’s there, he’s got to be ready to jump in and be the guy that’s going to give them the best chance to win the game, so that’s how we treated him,” Betts said.
The Lions got a touchdown from Rourke on a one-yard run along with a 15-yard reception from Jevon Kotoi and a 14-yard catch from Dominique Rimes. Kicker Shaun White made field goals of 16 and 39 yards and added a field goal on a 46-yard pass. Stefan Flintoft had two singles in the opener. The Lions also got a safety when Marcus Sales tackled Raiders running back Jamal Morrow in the end zone in the second quarter.
Betts had two sacks, with Obum Gwacham and Tibo Debaille each collecting one. Former Rider Loucheiz Purifoy had an interception for the Lions.
Fajardo, on a one-yard run, and Tevin Jones, on an eight-yard run, scored touchdowns for Saskatchewan. Brett Lauter added a 28-yard field goal.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 29, 2022
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