Latest news with #Rourke
Vancouver Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Backup is up: Jeremiah Masoli gets start at QB for B.C. Lions vs. Winnipeg
The B.C. Lions signed veteran Jeremiah Masoli as a free agent this off-season to provide quarterback depth, and they aren't having to wait long to see about their return on investment. The Lions (1-1) announced Friday that Masoli will start at pivot on Saturday (4 p.m.) at B.C. Place against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1-0) in place of the injured Nathan Rourke. Rourke was hurt in the fourth quarter of last Thursday's 34-20 loss in Winnipeg and was replaced under centre then by Masoli. Rourke was a limited participant when the Lions returned to the practice field in Surrey on Tuesday — he went through the walk-through portion where they go over step-by-step plays they're going to run in the upcoming game — but didn't take to the field with his teammates on Wednesday or Thursday. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Masoli, 36, is in his 12th season in the CFL. He had a monster campaign in 2018 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, throwing for 5,209 yards and 28 touchdown as the East Division nominee for CFL Most Outstanding Player. He has battled through injuries the past few years. He passed for 1,149 yards, with five touchdowns and seven interceptions, for the Ottawa Redblacks last season. He was 1-2 as a starter for an Ottawa team that was 9-8-1 overall. 'He has a lot of experience in this league. He communicates well with the guys,' Lions head coach Buck Pierce said. 'He knows what he likes. He understands his strengths, too. 'Each week we try to look different, and with Jeremiah in there might be a couple of new things here and there.' On Friday, the Lions were listing Rourke as a game-time decision as a third stringer behind Masoli and Chase Brice. Pierce said that Rourke would dress Saturday. Asked about whether Rourke might see action Saturday, Pierce explained, 'We're going to go ahead and move forward with Jeremiah.' B.C. had another walk-through practice on Friday. Rourke was instead running wind sprints with other injured players. Masoli is 28-31 all-time as a starter in the CFL, including 3-6 versus Winnipeg. Masoli talked Friday about how that playing time off the bench last week helps him. He was 7-of-10 for 84 yards with an interception in that fourth quarter versus the Blue Bombers. He says it gave him a chance to 'just calm down a little bit and let the game slow down.' With Rourke sidelined, it will be interesting to see if the Lions can find ways to get the running game going more. They carried it 16 times last week against Winnipeg, and six of those were from Rourke. Lions general manager Ryan Rigmaiden has talked about wanting to be more physical and a team capable of grinding out games along the ground late in the season. 'We've been working our tails off since we played these guys. We've had a great week of preparation and we're just excited to go show it off,' Masoli said Friday. 'We got in our own way a lot last week and especially in the first half. It was just some little, tiny details. For us, it's just playing clean, making sure we're on top of our details, and the rest should take care of itself.' Receiver Keon Hatcher, 30, says he remembers watching Masoli when he was starring at University of Oregon 2008-09, and talked about how he was excited to 'make some plays for him.' He, too, tagged B.C.'s issues last week as the finer points. 'It's all details. Us cleaning up our mistakes. I feel that we do that and come out focused and we'll have a pretty good night,' Hatcher said. Winnipeg is set to miss running back Brady Oliveira (shoulder), but quarterback Zach Collaros returns to the lineup after sitting out the first half of this doubleheader with a one-game suspension for failing to respond to an off-season drug-testing request. These are the only times that B.C. and Winnipeg meet this season. The back-to-back meetings are something that happens regularly in a nine-team league like the CFL. 'I think it's fresh in your mind. You have a familiarity with what you need to do offensively and defensively,' Pierce said of playing a team twice in a row. 'You need to focus on the details a little bit more and less about scheme.' Pierce signed on with the Lions this off-season after spending the past decade on the Blue Bombers' coaching staff, including the past four seasons as offensive coordinator. sewen@
The Province
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Province
B.C. Lions QB Nathan Rourke 'questionable' for rematch with Bombers due to injury
Veteran quarterback Jeremiah Masoli is expected to replace Rourke as starter against Winnipeg (1-0) on Saturday at B.C. Place Published Jun 19, 2025 • 1 minute read Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Kyrie Wilson (19) sacks BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke (12) during first half CFL action in Winnipeg Thursday, June 12, 2025. Photo by John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS The B.C. Lions may be without their No. 1 quarterback when they face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Nathan Rourke suffered a core injury against the Bombers in Winnipeg last Thursday and left midway through the fourth quarter after throwing for 249 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The 27-year-old Canadian was replaced by Jeremiah Masoli, who tossed for 84 yards with an interception as the Lions (1-1) lost 34-20. Rourke's participation in practice was limited on Tuesday, and he did not join his teammates on the field at the team's facility in Surrey, B.C., on Wednesday or Thursday, working instead with training staff on the sidelines. He was listed as questionable for the game in B.C.'s injury report on Thursday. Masoli is expected to replace him as starter against Winnipeg (1-0). The 36-year-old American signed with the Lions as a free agent in February following three seasons with the Ottawa Redblacks and eight with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
The Province
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Province
B.C. Lions playing waiting game with Nathan Rourke injury, hoping rest leads to Saturday start
Star quarterback, who suffered an oblique injury Thursday, was a limited practice participant and remains day-to-day for Saturday rematch with Winnipeg Get the latest from Steve Ewen straight to your inbox B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke gets wrapped up by Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Willie Jefferson during first half action in Winnipeg on Thursday. Photo by John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS B.C. Lions fans looking for a silver lining in Nathan Rourke's injury status can point to the fact that the quarterback was willing to have a little fun talking about it on Tuesday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors 'That's why we're taking it day-to-day and evaluating on a day-to-day basis. How many times can I say day-to-day?' Rourke joked to reporters after practice at the team's Surrey headquarters. Tuesday marked the Lions' first on-field workouts since Thursday's 34-20 road loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Rourke left that game early in the fourth quarter with an oblique injury. He talked Tuesday about how he got hurt on the second-to-last throw for him of the game. The Lions (1-1) have a return match-up with the Blue Bombers (1-0) on Saturday at B.C. Place, and Rourke took part in the walk-through portion of Tuesday's practice, where the offence goes through plays step by step. After that, Rourke went to the sidelines, going through various rehab drills with team staff. He did throw, but over short distances and seemingly quite gingerly. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I want to play, and especially because we don't play these guys again for the rest of the regular season,' Rourke, 27, said of Saturday's match-up with the Blue Bombers, who have become arguably B.C.'s biggest rival during the past few CFL seasons. 'I don't feel like I played my best the other night, so it means a little bit more. 'Obviously, I also think we have the guys who are capable of winning without me. It's a long season. This is a one of those things that could turn into a longer injury if it's not handled right.' Jeremiah Masoli, the 36-year-old veteran that B.C. signed this winter as a free agent to back up Rourke, was getting the first-team repetitions Tuesday and would start Saturday if Rourke cannot play. The Lions, it seems, are willing to see what rest can do for Rourke. Thursday will be a week since his injury. That would be a major checkpoint, although coach Buck Pierce sounded Tuesday like he would be willing to draw this out as long as possible to see if Rourke can go. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We don't need to know until game time,' Pierce said. 'We're going to give Nathan or any of our players opportunities to get feeling well, and we'll see where we are at closer to game time. 'I'm okay with time, seeing how he feels after every day and seeing how he reacts to certain things.' B.C. Lions quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (11) throws during second half CFL action against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Winnipeg Thursday, June 12, 2025. Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS Masoli has played 12 seasons in the league. He has made 59 career starts, including going 3-6 all-time versus Winnipeg. If he is asked to pinch hit on Saturday, he would have seen the situation at various junctures. He was 7-of-10 for 84 yards, with one interception, in that fourth quarter against Winnipeg. Last season, Masoli got three starts with the Ottawa Redblacks, and he was 102-of-150 for 1,149 yards, with five touchdowns and seven interceptions. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'You show up to work every day prepared to be the guy,' Masoli said Tuesday. 'It's business as usual. 'It was good to get in there and get some reps with the starters. I haven't had many reps with those guys, but they make it easy or me. Rourke admitted Tuesday that he was 'feeling pretty sore,' and that 'it's an injury that affects a lot of things that I do.' 'The doctors have said that it could clear up in a couple of days. We're hoping that's the case,' he said. Rourke said he was hurt trying to find some extra power on a throw with a Winnipeg defender wrapped around his left foot and trying to pull him down. 'Then the play after it set in that I didn't have much power and obviously a lot of pain,' he said. Rourke was 12-of-27 for 249 yards, with one touchdown and one interception against the Blue Bombers. He rushed six times for 58 yards, wth one touchdown. In the 31-14 triumph in the season opener versus the Edmonton Elks, Rourke was 27-of-36 for 324 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He rushed five times for 54 yards. sewen@ Read More News Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Sports Vancouver Canucks
Hamilton Spectator
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Demski has two touchdown catches in Blue Bombers' 34-20 victory over Lions
WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeated the B.C. Lions 34-20 in their season opener on Thursday without starting quarterback Zach Collaros and star running back Brady Oliveira. Collaros was serving a one-game suspension for failing to respond to an off-season drug-testing request. He was replaced by Chris Streveler, who threw two of his three touchdown passes to Nic Demski. Streveler completed 15 of 24 pass attempts for 246 yards and one interception in front of a sellout of 32,343 at Princess Auto Stadium. Oliveira, the CFL's reigning most outstanding player and top Canadian, went to the locker room after a Winnipeg scoring drive in the first three minutes of the game. The Bombers (1-0) announced he wouldn't return because of an upper-body injury. Rookie Matthew Peterson from Brooks, Alta., took his place, scoring his first career touchdown off a 38-yard run in the second quarter. He ended up with 23 carries for 130 yards. B.C. quarterback Nathan Rourke left the game midway in the fourth quarter after an apparent injury. He was 12 of 27 passing for 249 yards with one TD and one interception. He also ran two yards for a score. Rourke was replaced by Jeremiah Masoli as the Lions fell to 1-1. Keric Wheatfall had Winnipeg's other TD reception, finishing with five catches for 127 yards. Sergio Castillo booted field goals from 49 and 50 yards for Winnipeg, but missed from 47 yards out. He made three of his four convert attempts and the Bombers also picked up a point off a punt single. Keon Hatcher caught a 77-yard TD pass for the Lions and finished with four catches for 150 yards. Sean Whyte hit field goals from 21 and 37 yards and connected on two converts. The Bombers led 10-3 after the first quarter, 18-10 at halftime and 28-20 heading into the fourth. Winnipeg opened the game with a four-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. Oliveira burst out of the gates for a 43-yard gain, the longest carry of his career. Streveler followed up with a 20-yard TD pass to Demski in the end zone at 2:29, marking his 72nd consecutive game with at least one reception. Oliveira went to the locker room after the score. The Bombers boosted their lead after his departure, thanks to a turnover. Defensive back Marquise Bridges intercepted a tipped Rourke pass attempt, leading to Castillo's 49-yarder and a 10-0 lead at 8:39. Rourke, who was pressured by Winnipeg's defence all game, ran for 36 yards to get his team to Winnipeg's 13-yard line but the Lions settled for Whyte's 21-yarder at 10:23. Peterson notched his touchdown at 7:25 of the second quarter and Winnipeg got the punt single four minutes later to go up 18-3. Rourke ran two yards for a score with nine seconds remaining in the half. After Wheatfall's 30-yard TD catch at 7:57 of the third quarter, Hatcher made an over-the-shoulder grab for his 77-yard score. Whyte's 37-yard field goal squeezed the score to 28-20 at 11:28. Demski hauled in a four-yard TD catch in the corner of the end zone at 3:48 of the fourth. Winnipeg got another turnover off a fumbled B.C. kickoff return, but the opportunity ended with Castillo going wide on his field-goal attempt and the ball was run out. UP NEXT The Lions host the Bombers on June 21. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 12, 2025.
Vancouver Sun
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. Lions 20, Blue Bombers 34: Nathan Rourke suffers apparent injury in road loss
WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeated the B.C. Lions 34-20 in their season opener on Thursday without starting quarterback Zach Collaros and star running back Brady Oliveira. Collaros was serving a one-game suspension for failing to respond to an off-season drug-testing request. He was replaced by Chris Streveler, who threw two of his three touchdown passes to Nic Demski. Streveler completed 15 of 24 pass attempts for 246 yards and one interception in front of a sellout of 32,343 at Princess Auto Stadium. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Oliveira, the CFL's reigning most outstanding player and top Canadian, went to the locker room after a Winnipeg scoring drive in the first three minutes of the game. The Bombers (1-0) announced he wouldn't return because of an upper-body injury. Rookie Matthew Peterson from Brooks, Alta., took his place, scoring his first career touchdown off a 38-yard run in the second quarter. He ended up with 23 carries for 130 yards. B.C. quarterback Nathan Rourke left the game midway in the fourth quarter after an apparent injury. He was 12 of 27 passing for 249 yards with one TD and one interception. He also ran two yards for a score. Rourke was replaced by Jeremiah Masoli as the Lions fell to 1-1. Keric Wheatfall had Winnipeg's other TD reception, finishing with five catches for 127 yards. Sergio Castillo booted field goals from 49 and 50 yards for Winnipeg, but missed from 47 yards out. He made three of his four convert attempts and the Bombers also picked up a point off a punt single. Keon Hatcher caught a 77-yard TD pass for the Lions and finished with four catches for 150 yards. Sean Whyte hit field goals from 21 and 37 yards and connected on two converts. The Bombers led 10-3 after the first quarter, 18-10 at halftime and 28-20 heading into the fourth. Winnipeg opened the game with a four-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. Oliveira burst out of the gates for a 43-yard gain, the longest carry of his career. Streveler followed up with a 20-yard TD pass to Demski in the end zone at 2:29, marking his 72nd consecutive game with at least one reception. Oliveira went to the locker room after the score. The Bombers boosted their lead after his departure, thanks to a turnover. Defensive back Marquise Bridges intercepted a tipped Rourke pass attempt, leading to Castillo's 49-yarder and a 10-0 lead at 8:39. Rourke, who was pressured by Winnipeg's defence all game, ran for 36 yards to get his team to Winnipeg's 13-yard line but the Lions settled for Whyte's 21-yarder at 10:23. Peterson notched his touchdown at 7:25 of the second quarter and Winnipeg got the punt single four minutes later to go up 18-3. Rourke ran two yards for a score with nine seconds remaining in the half. After Wheatfall's 30-yard TD catch at 7:57 of the third quarter, Hatcher made an over-the-shoulder grab for his 77-yard score. Whyte's 37-yard field goal squeezed the score to 28-20 at 11:28. Demski hauled in a four-yard TD catch in the corner of the end zone at 3:48 of the fourth. Winnipeg got another turnover off a fumbled B.C. kickoff return, but the opportunity ended with Castillo going wide on his field-goal attempt and the ball was run out. The Lions host the Bombers on June 21.
