BC Lions head coach Rick Campbell (left) talks with quarterback Nathan Rourke on the sidelines during the second half of a CFL football game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Aug. 18 in Vancouver.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press
There were no excuses, just an apology from Nathan Rourke.
A frustrated and dejected Rourke took the blame for the BC Lions’ lackluster 20-11 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian quarterback’s first game back in the CFL on Sunday.
“I want to apologize publicly,” Rourke said in a clear and firm voice. “That wasn’t my best football. I didn’t make enough plays.”
The 30,803 fans who came to BC Place Stadium to see Rourke’s magic instead saw the Victorian native complete eight of 25 passes for 126 yards and throw two interceptions, get sacked twice and be chased out of the pocket by a spirited Bombers defence.
“There were a few things out there that I wish I had done differently,” said Rourke, who returned to the Lions this week after spending the last 18 months pursuing a career in the NFL. “I missed some throws.”
The Lions, who were embarrassed 25-0 by the Bombers earlier this month, lost their fourth straight game. They remain second in the CFL West Division with a 5-5 record, trailing the Saskatchewan Roughriders at 5-4-1.
Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros completed 23 of 31 passes for 288 yards, a touchdown and an interception as the Bombers improved their record to 4-6 and tied for third place in the West with Calgary. Nic Demski had six catches for 109 yards and a touchdown.
Backup quarterback Chris Streveller scored a touchdown on a one-yard run, Sergio Castillo kicked field goals of 42 and 37 yards, and running back Brady Oliveira had 10 runs for 78 yards.
Rourke’s return to the CFL caused a lot of excitement, and the Bombers couldn’t help but notice.
“We just wanted to show him that we’re not worried about him as an individual,” said defensive tackle Willie Jefferson, who was responsible for one of Winnipeg’s sacks. “They would have to beat us with their best game.”
“He had only been here a short time, didn’t know all the plays and was thrown in at the deep end. It was up to him to go out there and play his game. He didn’t have a really good game against us. Maybe he’ll get better with time. But this week wasn’t his week.”
Winnipeg head coach Mike O’Shea doubted that the hype surrounding Rourke gave his players an additional boost.
“I think our guys are pretty balanced,” O’Shea said. “They stay pretty focused.”
Rourke’s last CFL game was a 28-20 loss to the Bombers in the 2022 West Final.
The 2022 CFL standout Canadian had just three full practices with the Lions before taking the field on Sunday, completing his first two passes and then looking very average.
Winnipeg defensive back Deatrick Nichols stepped in front of Alexander Hollins to intercept Rourke’s pass in the second quarter.
A second Rourke interception in the final minute of the half set up a 37-yard field goal by Castillo. This time it was Tyrell Ford who paved the way for Hollins to throw his fourth interception of the season.
The Bombers led 10-0 at halftime.
However, Rourke took off on a 15-yard run in the third quarter and hit Hollins with a nice 39-yard pass that set up Sean Whyte’s 23-yard field goal.
“I’m not going to sit here and make excuses,” Rourke said. “I know I’m better than that.”
Backup quarterback Chase Price entered the game late in the fourth quarter, leading a charge that ended with a one-yard touchdown run by David Mackie.
Lions running back William Stanback needed 15 runs over 100 yards.
BC started the season 5-1 before faltering. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., who had been looking forward to a possible MOP season, is listed week-to-week with a knee injury.
Rick Campbell, BC’s head coach and co-general manager, refused to blame Rourke for the loss.
“It doesn’t matter who our quarterback is, we have to play better as a football team and as an entire offensive unit,” he said.
“Right now, we’re not helping each other as a football team. We’re doing a lot of things right, but at the end of the day, we’re not making a game-changing play.”
Rourke is already looking forward to the next game.
“If this is the starting point, things can only go up from here,” he said.
Next
Winnipeg: The Bombers return home on Friday to host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
BC: The Lions travel to Ottawa to play the Redblacks on Saturday and then host them again at Touchdown Pacific in Victoria on August 31.
NOTES: In the excitement of Rourke’s return, the Lions opened five additional areas at BC Place. Instead of a moment of silence, fans were asked to cheer loudly to honor Dan Dorazio, the former Lions coach who passed away earlier this week. The Bombers played after a 16-day layoff, matching the longest break in team history. They had similar layoffs in 2010 and 2008.
