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, against the Edmonton Elks.  

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

Rouke did not disappoint in the game; he threw for 324 yards and 3 touchdowns, and made 27 of his 36 attempted passes.

The Lions opened the first quarter strong, immediately holding the Elks offense to no yards gained on their first drive and forcing them to punt the ball. Lions offense took a charge, moving the ball down the field. 

However, the Elks defense prevented an early Touchdown from the Lions by keeping them on the goal line and forcing a turnover on the downs. 

With just over 3 minutes left in the first quarter the Elks were able to get on the board with a 66-yard punt from Cody Grace that was recovered in the end zone for rouge point. 

Early in the second, Rouke found Jevon Cotty in the endzone but the ball was fumbled before the play was completed. 

Sean Whyte, a veteran kicker for the Lions put them on the board with a 22 yard field goal giving the Lions a 3 - 1 lead. 

Midway through the second quarter, Tre Ford had the first big play of the game with a 50 yard pass down the field to Arkel Smith, putting the Elks on the Lion’s 18 yard line, the start of a scoring drive. 

Through a series of short gains, the Elks made their way up to the Lions goal line. Cody Fajardo made his way through the Lions defense for a 1 yard line rush for a touchdown. 

After half time the Lions came out firing. Rourke started the quarter with a 34-yard lob straight to Berryhill for a touchdown. After Whyte had a successful conversion.

The Lions were up 10-7 at the start of the third. The Lions defense stayed strong keeping the Elks to zero yards gained and a missed field goal on their next attempted drive. 

During the mid-point of the quarter the Lions had a 107-yard drive down the field for another touchdown by Berryhill. 

Before heading into the fourth quarter the Elks quarterback, Ford, darted around the field missing multiple sack attempts before a 37 - yard pass to Justin Rankin, who was then taken down at BC’s third. 

The Elks capitalized early in the fourth, with a powerful run into the endzone from Cody Fajardo. The Elks added more points to their board. 

However, a failed two-point conversion kept the Lions in front, 17–14. Rourke took control over the game again, leading the Lions on a steady drive, which ended with a 15-yard pass to Justin Mclnnis for another touchdown. 

Whyte scored another extra point to give the Lions a 24-14 lead. The Elks on the following possession were intercepted by Lions’ defensive back Marcus Sayles, ending the comeback hopes for the Elks. 

Rourke then handed the ball off to James Butler to power his way into the endzone for another touchdown securing a 31-14 win for 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.