Nathan Rourke shines as B.C. Lions crush Ottawa Redblacks 38-27, with big plays on offense and defense securing a strong rebound victory.
Lions Bounce Back with Early Firepower
The B.C. Lions made a statement Friday night at BC Place, roaring past the Ottawa Redblacks 38-27. After last week’s shocking 34-33 road loss, the Lions came out swinging, refusing to let history repeat itself. Quarterback Nathan Rourke led the charge, throwing for 308 yards and a touchdown while rushing for two more majors.
James Butler, Keon Hatcher, and Deontai Williams also found the end zone, helping the Lions improve to 6-7 on the season. Meanwhile, defensive lineman Mathieu Betts dominated with four sacks, and kicker Sean Whyte added a field goal along with five converts.
First-Half Blitz Sets the Tone
B.C. wasted no time. Ottawa received the opening kickoff but quickly fell under pressure when Betts sacked QB Dustin Crum, forcing a stalled drive. The Lions responded immediately, with Butler powering in a two-yard touchdown. Whyte’s convert gave B.C. a 7-0 lead.
A 47-yard field goal from Ottawa’s Lewis Ward cut the deficit to 7-3, but the Lions weren’t finished. Hatcher snatched a Rourke pass at the seven-yard line and bulldozed into the end zone, making it 14-3 by the end of the first quarter.
Ottawa fought back early in the second, narrowing the score to 14-10 after Crum scored from a yard out. Yet, Rourke and the Lions answered swiftly. Highlighted by a 51-yard connection to Hatcher, Rourke capped a long drive with a one-yard QB keeper. By halftime, the Lions led 28-13, with Rourke completing all but one of his passes in the first two quarters.
Defensive Dominance Keeps Ottawa in Check
After halftime, B.C. maintained control. Whyte’s 13-yard field goal extended the lead to 31-13 early in the third quarter. Then Williams delivered a game-changing moment, strip-sacking Crum and returning the ball 41 yards for a touchdown, pushing the lead to 38-13.
Ottawa tried to rally, with Crum connecting with Justin Hardy for a touchdown, but the two-point conversion failed. The Redblacks pulled off a successful onside kick, momentarily reviving the crowd, but the Lions’ defense held firm, forcing a punt and eventually allowing B.C. to control the clock in the fourth quarter.
Late Scores Close Out the Game
Ottawa added a late touchdown on a one-yard sneak by Crum with just 33 seconds left, followed by a two-point conversion to Hardy, finalizing the score at 38-27. Despite the late surge, the Lions had already done enough to secure a satisfying victory.
Key Takeaways
Nathan Rourke: 308 passing yards, 1 TD, 2 rushing TDs
B.C. defense: 7 sacks, including 4 by Betts
Offensive highlights: Hatcher (97 yards), Butler TDs
Ottawa’s Addison led all receivers with 132 yards
With this rebound win, the Lions gear up for a showdown with the Calgary Stampeders on Sept. 19, while the Redblacks host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sept. 20.
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