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VANCOUVER — Nathan Rourke threw for a huge 436 yards and 4 touchdowns, powering the B.C. Lions to a dominant 44-3 acquire over the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday.
Rourke set a new report for passing yards by a Canadian quarterback, eclipsing the 427-yard mark established by Gerry Dattilio in 1981. The 24-calendar year-aged native of Victoria, B.C., done 39 of 45 attempts and was sacked after.
Kicker Sean Whyte chipped in with a pair of discipline ambitions for the Lions (2-), together with a 50-yard strike.
B.C.’s defence smothered the Argos (1-1), holding McLeod Bethel-Thompson to 178 passing yards. The Toronto quarterback linked on 15 of 21 attempts, threw just one interception and was sacked 2 times in advance of being changed late in the fourth quarter.
Chad Kelly came on in reduction and threw for two yards, finishing one of two attempts and receiving sacked the moment.
The Argos’ only factors of the night time came off a 23-garden area aim from Boris Bede early in the 2nd quarter.
The victory means B.C. starts off the CFL season with a pair of wins for the initial time considering that 2016.
The Lions have been coming off of a bye week but confirmed no rust early in Saturday’s match, kicking it off with an eight-participate in, 68-yard scoring push.
Rourke scrambled out of a collapsing pocket to choose up 11 yards and a 1st down, then capped the generate with a crisp 19-garden move to Bryan Burnham in the conclusion zone. The veteran large receiver bowed 2 times to the crowd just after tallying his very first touchdown of the season.
B.C.’s defensive device was analyzed on Toronto’s 1st possession of the night time, with DaVaris Daniels powering as a result of a tackle and Bethel-Thompson obtaining Dejon Brissett on the Lions’ 1-lawn line.
The Lions stood potent and denied the guests all 3 instances they attempted to sneak into the close zone. Toronto turned the ball around on downs.
A questioned simply call stored the Lions in scoring possession afterwards in the 1st quarter.
Rourke’s 7-yard toss to Blessed Whitehead was ruled incomplete, but B.C. head coach Rick Campbell challenged and the simply call was overturned, supplying his side a 1st down.
Rourke fired a 46-yard bomb to Dominique Rhymes on the subsequent perform and Whyte capped the push with a 21-garden industry target to put the Lions up 10-.
Early in the second quarter, B.C. cornerback Delvin Breaux knocked down a very long toss from Bethel-Thompson to Brandon Financial institutions and Argos head coach Ryan Dinwiddie set in his very own problem, arguing defensive move interference. On assessment, officials agreed and Toronto was awarded a initially down at the B.C. 21-lawn line.
Lions defensive lineman David Menard sacked Bethel-Thompson on the subsequent engage in, but the Argos nevertheless managed to score on the generate, with Bede booting a field goal that cut Toronto’s deficit to 10-3.
Rourke increased the Lions’ cushion halfway by means of the 50 %, discovering Rhymes in the conclude zone with a 19-property bullet to cap a nine-enjoy, 70-garden scoring drive.
B.C. headed to the locker space up 20-3 after Whyte hit a 44-property field aim to shut out the 2nd quarter.
A rash of injuries swept via B.C.’s lineup late in the initial 50 %, while, with linebacker Bo Lokombo, running again James Butler and extensive receiver Bryan Burnham all heading to the locker home with activity-ending accidents. Whitehead appeared to endure an ankle harm, way too, but stayed in the game.
Halfway by means of the 3rd body, Wynton McMannis hauled down Rourke all-around centre area for a seven-garden reduction. The Lions remained undeterred, while, and despatched Whyte out for a 50-property area goal try. He created the kick, offering B.C. a 23-3 direct.
Lions defensive conclude Obum Gwacham appeared to exact some revenge on the following possession, sacking Bethel-Thompson.
Rourke’s arching 29-garden toss to a wide-open Jevon Cottoy deep in the purple zone set up B.C.’s third TD of the night time late in the third quarter. Cottoy took a couple of swift steps into the conclusion zone and tallied his 1st important of the season.
The last body noticed Rourke yet again join with Rhymes, this time with a 24-lawn toss. Stationed just outside the house of the conclusion zone, Rhymes simply finished the landing and the Lions took a 37-3 guide.
B.C.’s Gary Peters added to Toronto’s woes halfway by way of the fourth quarter, choosing off Bethel-Thompson’s move.
Lions fullback David Mackie — filling in at functioning again for the injured Butler — muscled the ball in excess of the intention line late in the fourth for his initially CFL touchdown. A thriving transform from Whyte gave the house side a 44-3 lead.
Kelly came on for Bethel-Thompson to shut out the sport and was speedily sacked by Menard.
The Lions will be back again in action on Thursday when they tackle the Redblacks in Ottawa. The Argos will host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on July 4.
FOOTNOTES: Mackie took in excess of for Butler at managing back again in the next 50 percent. and tallied 90 speeding yards. … Argos offensive lineman Jonathan Zamora limped off the field immediately after currently being wounded on a engage in halfway by the fourth quarter. … Saturday marked the 100th all-time conference concerning the two groups. B.C. holds a 60-38-2 edge in the series.
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