Canadian QB Nathan Rourke to start for B.C. Lions in regular season finale

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

The B.C. Lions have announced that Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke will start the club’s final regular season game on Friday against the Edmonton Elks.

Rourke made his first career start in Week 1 when veteran Michael Reilly decided that he was unable to play following pregame warmup. He posted respectable numbers in a close loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, completing 10-of-18 pass attempts for 194 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.

The Victoria-born, Oakville-raised dual threat passer has dressed for twelve games this regular season, serving as the primary backup to Reilly eleven times. He has completed 29-of-48 pass attempts for 395 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions while rushing 11 times for 77 yards and two scores.

Rourke was a dynamic three-year starter at the Ohio University, twice winning the Jon Cornish Trophy as the NCAA’s top Canadian player. Rourke passed for 7,475 yards and 70 touchdowns while also adding 2,639 yards and 49 touchdowns on the ground through 35 total games for the Bobcats.

The 2021 season has not gone well for the Lions following a promising 4-2 start. They have lost seven consecutive games and were eliminated from playoff contention following last week’s 33-23 loss to the Calgary Stampeders. B.C. has not missed the postseason for two consecutive seasons.

Friday’s game between the Elks and Lions kicks off at 10:30 p.m. ET and will feature a special presentation as B.C. inducts late former owner David Braley to the Wall of Fame.