BC Lions open season with a 31-14 victory

JEN FIELD/ GATG

The BC Lions kicked off their 2025 season in front of a roaring crowd of over 52,000 at BC Place on June 7, taking on the Edmonton Elks.

This was a historic game for the CFL (Canadian Football League), as it marked the first time two Canadian quarterbacks, Nathan Rourke and Tre Ford, started head-to-head in Week 1.

Rourke did not disappoint, throwing for 324 yards and three touchdowns while completing 27 of his 36 pass attempts. The Lions opened strong, holding the Elks offense to zero yards on their first drive and forcing a punt. The BC offense responded by moving the ball efficiently down the field.

However, the Elks defense held firm, stopping the Lions at the goal line and forcing a turnover on downs. With just over three minutes left in the first quarter, Edmonton got on the board with a 66-yard punt from Cody Grace that was recovered in the end zone for a single (rouge) point.

Early in the second quarter, Rourke connected with Jevon Cottoy in the end zone, but the ball was fumbled before the play was completed. Veteran kicker Sean Whyte later got the Lions on the board with a 22-yard field goal, giving BC a 3–1 lead.

Midway through the second, Tre Ford launched a 50-yard pass to Arkel Smith, placing the Elks at the Lions’ 18-yard line. Through a series of short gains, Edmonton pushed their way to the goal line, and Cody Fajardo punched in a 1-yard rushing touchdown to take the lead.

After halftime, the Lions came out firing. Rourke opened the third quarter with a 34-yard lob to Alexander Hollins for a touchdown, followed by a successful conversion from Whyte. The Lions took a 10–7 lead and kept the momentum, holding the Elks to zero yards and forcing a missed field goal on the next drive.

Later in the third, BC drove 107 yards down the field, capping it off with another touchdown by Hollins. Before the quarter ended, Elks quarterback Tre Ford dodged multiple sack attempts before delivering a 37-yard pass to Justin Rankin, who was brought down at the Lions’ 3-yard line.

The Elks capitalized early in the fourth with a strong run from Fajardo into the end zone. However, a failed two-point conversion kept the Lions ahead 17–14. Rourke answered with a steady drive, finishing it with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Justin McInnis. Whyte’s extra point extended the lead to 24–14.

On the following possession, Lions defensive back Marcus Sayles intercepted Ford, ending the Elks’ comeback hopes. Rourke then handed the ball off to James Butler, who powered into the end zone to secure a 31–14 victory, the Lions’ first home win of the season.

The BC Lions’ next home game takes place on June 21, 2025, at BC Place against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.