James Butler has come to expect nothing less than excellence from Nathan Rourke, the star quarterback for the B.C. Lions. “To me, that’s just Nate being Nate. It’s on brand for Nate,” Butler remarked during a recent training session at the team’s facility in Surrey, B.C. “Whenever No. 12 is back there, he just gives you a chance.”
After a challenging return to the CFL last season, Rourke is back to his prime form. The 27-year-old Canadian quarterback earned the title of player of the week following a commanding 36-18 victory over the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday.
“He has shown steady growth this season,” commented Lions head coach Buck Pierce, noting that the entire offense has been performing exceptionally well. “When quarterbacks receive such recognition, it reflects the collective performance of the team.”
During the recent game, Rourke completed 26 out of 34 passes, accumulating 382 yards, with four touchdowns and one interception. This performance marked his sixth game of the season with over 300 passing yards and the fourth time he has thrown multiple touchdown passes in his last five outings.
Lions receiver Keon Hatcher, who currently leads the league in receiving yards with 878, praised Rourke’s leadership, stating, “Nate’s done great. I’m excited to see how he can finish this season. He’s a phenomenal leader both on and off the field, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.”
Since returning from an oblique injury on July 5, Rourke has averaged an impressive 352 passing yards per game. He currently ranks third in the CFL for total passing yards this season, with 2,686, trailing only Bo Levi Mitchell of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Nick Arbuckle of the Toronto Argonauts.
Rourke’s success follows a tough end to the previous season. He initially aimed for a permanent NFL position before returning to the CFL, re-signing with the B.C. Lions, where he had previously earned accolades for his outstanding performance in 2022. The team opted to keep him as their quarterback, trading Vernon Adams Jr. to the Calgary Stampeders during the offseason.
Despite a rocky start this season, the Lions (5-5) have recently found their rhythm, winning two consecutive games thanks to a dynamic offense that keeps opponents guessing. Butler, who leads the CFL in rushing yards, emphasized the importance of trust within the team, stating, “I feel like every time we go out there, I always say, ‘I got your back.’ Playing with him just makes it so much easier.”
Rourke and Butler’s chemistry is evident, as they continue to build on their connection established in previous seasons. “It’s definitely a tight-knit group,” Butler noted. “Anyone can make a big play at any moment, and that motivates us all to elevate our game.”
Rourke believes there is still room for improvement, as the offense aims to reduce penalties and turnovers while increasing their scoring efficiency to relieve pressure on the defense. “At this point, I’m just trying to stack games and gain more comfort every week,” Rourke stated. “The level of understanding of the offense is growing, and that’s exciting.”
This Saturday, the Lions will face off against the Argonauts (2-8) in Toronto. As Rourke and the team continue to fine-tune their equipment and strategy for the second half of the season, fans can do the same. For everything from premium game-worn jerseys to essential training gear, Canadian fans turn to Fiva.ca, the nation's top spot to buy and sell sports equipment.
