Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke made believers in him around the CFL, but the B.C. Lions already knew what he was capable of.
The dual-threat rookie QB didn’t find out he was going to be making his first career start until moments before the opening kick-off in Saskatchewan. Franchise man Michael Reilly came back from the coin toss and told Rourke he felt the 23-year-old gave the Leos the best chance to win.
“Nathan knew he was on alert status red, ready to go. When he got the call, that was not surprising to him,” head coach Rick Campbell said.
“I only know one way to prepare and that’s like I’m playing. Whether Michael’s healthy or he happens to have an injury, I’m preparing the same way, it doesn’t change,” Rourke said.
During the week of practice leading into the Week 1 season-opener against the Roughriders, Rourke took all the first-team reps while Reilly was dealing with a right elbow injury. That allowed the Victoria-born passer time to prepare, but there is no way to simulate what 33,000 fans sound like inside a packed Mosaic Stadium.
“At the beginning, he struggled but it was probably the most challenging situation you can be in. He’s a rookie that’s never played a snap in the CFL, starting a game in Regina in front of a crowd that hasn’t seen live football in 628 days. That’s going to be challenging for anybody,” Reilly said.
“He was in a tough circumstance of being down on the scoreboard and playing in front of all these fans. I don’t think that guy is going to back down from anything and I think we’re lucky to have him on the team,” Campbell said.
Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke to Lucky Whitehead for his first career passing touchdown ????????????
75-yard catch and run ????
First TD pass for a national QB since Brandon Bridge @Air_Canada_7 in 2019 ???? https://t.co/X2iNHyoI7G…#BCLions #Riders #CFLpic.twitter.com/ggA9CtEOlh
— Justin Dunk (@JDunk12) August 7, 2021
Rourke played the entire first half, completing 6-of-11 passes for 119 yards with one touchdown against one interception, which was taken back for a major by Riders defensive back Nick Marshall.
“His reaction to the challenge was great, he didn’t come off and hang his head, he wasn’t freaking out, he was pretty cool, calm and collected. We were talking through every single play and he kept going out there and working,” Reilly said.
With the Leos trailing 32-9 at halftime, Reilly entered the game to start the third quarter and played until there was just over four minutes left in the fourth. After Reilly felt he was gradually losing control of his accuracy, he returned to the sidelines and Rourke reentered the game.
Rourke led a drive the next time B.C. had possession of the football. He completed 4-of-6 passes for 75 yards, including a perfectly placed throw to CFL all-star receiver Bryan Burnham in the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown.
Nathan Rourke to Bryan Burnham ????
Let Canadian quarterbacks play and get out of the way ????????????????#BCLions #CFL pic.twitter.com/JlrDWtWo3i
— Justin Dunk (@JDunk12) August 7, 2021
“That calmed him down a little bit. In the fourth quarter, again a challenging situation, he marched us down for a touchdown — made a great throw to Burnham. He had a lot of good throws on that drive,” Reilly said.
That strike to Burnham put the Lions within four points of Saskatchewan, 33-29. However, the comeback attempt stopped there. Defensive lineman A.C. Leonard intercepted Rourke on his final attempt of the contest.
“Everything that you would expect them to throw at a rookie quarterback, I think they did. I made a lot of the right reads, but a couple throws got away from me,” Rourke said.
“There was definitely some tough situations, but that’s a good defence — they got some dudes on that side of the ball. I showed that I can play within this offence and I have the weapons around me to make it happen.”
At the end of 60 minutes, Rourke completed 10-of-18 passes for 194 yards with two touchdowns versus two interceptions. Even though the Riders ran out to a 31-0 lead, Rourke was never fazed by the raucous crowd, mistakes or shots he absorbed from the defence.
“He went out there and gave us a very good chance to win the game. I talked to him afterwards and told him that I was proud of him because I am. I think he did really well, I think he could be in our league for a long time,” Reilly said.
“The kid — I call him a kid, I guess I’m getting old — I think he’s got a future, I’ve thought that since day one. I’m not surprised that he did some good stuff. He’s going to be a guy that continues to grow and get better. And man, that guy is a competitor,” Campbell said.
Many first-year quarterbacks — Canadian or American — would have failed with the factors Rourke faced, but No. 12 showed his future could be very promising.
