Rourke reaches new heights as the BC Lions route the struggling Edmonton Elks

After just seven games in his first season as a CFL starter, BC Lions star Nathan Rourke is already breaking his own records.

The 24-year-old quarterback threw for a staggering 477 yards on Saturday as his team defeated the Edmonton Elks 46-14.

Victoria-born Rourke not only surpassed his own mark for most passing yards by a Canadian QB in a single game, he did it by completing 34 of 37 attempts with five touchdown passes. Finally, he also added a seven-yard rushing major.

“He has the right attitude and demeanor,” said Lions head coach Rick Campbell. “He’s not a roller coaster guy, he just comes to work every day.”

“I’m happy for him because he’s doing things right and working hard and doing all those things. So if guys do that and get rewarded for it, that’s a good thing.”

The QB’s stunning performance was even praised by Elks head coach Chris Jones.

“It’s the best performance I’ve ever seen,” he said. “He’s a very accurate passer. He’s very calm. He’s athletic enough to move with his feet and throw the football and when he has to run, he runs. He’s a tough competitor.”

Rourke still saw room for improvement and said there were places he could have picked a better spot for a pass on Saturday or a better lane for a run.

However, he did admit that he is enjoying the Lions’ (6-1) success.

“Football is fun when it’s going well. That makes me happy,” said Rourke. “But we’re going to keep going, keep building on that.”

On the other side of the ball, the Elks continued on Saturday (2:6).

Edmonton brought Taylor Cornelius back into QB after Tre Ford was included in Friday’s six-game injury list, but failed to untie a BC side that clinched a 59-15 win in Week 1.

Cornelius threw for 183 yards and hit on 15 of 26 attempts with a touchdown pass and an interception. He was fired five times.

“We have to play better,” he said. “Offensively we have to put up more than 14 points a game against these guys and keep the defense off the field.”

Both sides stuttered to start the game, with the Elks turning the ball on their first two possessions and the Lions struggling with a fake field goal.

BC took advantage of Edmonton’s second error when Rourke hit Dominique Rhymes with a 2-yard touchdown pass to cap a six-game, 49-yard scoring drive that gave BC a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter .

Edmonton responded, steadily working his way down the field before Cornelius escaped the pocket and fired a 19-yard ball at Kenny Lawler in the end zone. The seven-play 69-yard drive marked the Elks’ only points of the first half.

BC was far from finished.

The Lions began their next possession with a 49-yard pass from Rourke to Lucky Whitehead, who sprinted into Edmonton territory. The young QB followed up with a 16-yard throw to Keon Hatcher and then pinned a 14-yard run. Before the end of the opening frame, he sailed another ball to Rhymes for a major.

The pair reconnected midway through the second when Rhymes bounced up under pressure and rolled in a 15-yard throw for his third TD of the game, a play that increased BC’s cushion to 20-7.

“My team has given me the ability to make plays,” Rhymes said, adding that he’s just trying to accommodate the play of teammates like receiver Bryan Burnham. “They just give me opportunities and I’m just trying to be a good teammate and take my chances.”

Minutes later, Rourke found Whitehead open and the fast receiver rushed 37 yards down the field and passed Nafees Lyon for a 69-yard touchdown.

BC then scored on their fifth straight possession when Whyte hit a 47-yard field goal.

Rourke ended the half with another TD and found Burnham on the touchline in the end zone with six seconds remaining in the half. The veteran receiver made sure he had a foothold for the Major.

Saturday’s game marked Burnham’s return to the lineup after sustaining fractured ribs and a collapsed lung in a crushing strike from Toronto Argonauts defenseman Shaq Richardson on June 25.

He celebrated by catching six catches for 82 yards — and moved up to fourth on the Lions’ all-time receiving yards list.

“[Burnhams]had such a phenomenal career,” said Rourke. “He’s one of the greatest Lions of all time and to be a part of his legacy is pretty cool. And I’m really happy for him and glad to have him back.”

Rourke finished the first half with 386 passing yards and five touchdown passes and BC went into the dressing room 37-7.

The team still wants to win the second half, Campbell said.

“The CFL is a crazy league in a good way,” said the coach. “You just never know what’s going to happen. The games aren’t over when the results are what they are.”

Early in the third game, Lions defenseman Mathieu Betts sacked Cornelius for the second time in the game. Edmonton recorded a four-yard loss and BC added two points for a safety.

Rourke showed he has more than just a good mid-frame arm. Seeing a hole, he sprinted seven yards and shook off a hit from Duron Carter to add a seven-yard TD to his score.

The Elks seemed poised to end the scoring drought before the end of the quarter, but Sione Teuhema spoiled the party with a sack. It was the fifth time the Lions defeated Cornelius that night.

Irons eventually scored some points for the visitors early in the fourth by sprinting six yards into the end zone. The touchdown reduced Edmonton’s lead to 46-14.

“We played solid man-to-man play early on and defended the run,” Jones said of the Elks’ game. “But as the game went on we lost confidence in our ability to stay close to receivers. And then they did an excellent job not only delivering the football but also shooting high and making some good catches.”

The Lions will be back in action next Saturday when they face the Stampeders in Calgary. The Elks will host the Saskatchewan Roughriders later that night.

FOOTNOTES: Rourke’s 91.9 percent graduation rate was the third-highest in CFL history with at least 20 attempts to pass. Ricky Ray is tied for 1st and 2nd with 92 and 95 percent odds. … Elks kicker Ryan Meskell made his CFL debut. … BC linebacker Ben Hladik recorded his first interception of his career late in the fourth quarter.