BC Lions snap home drought with 36–18 win over Montreal Alouettes

JEN FIELD/ GATG

On Saturday BC Place filled with energy and cheers as the BC Lions reminded their fans what it was like to win at home. The Lions, who have not won at home since the season opener went on to defeat the Montreal Alouettes 36-18. With Nathan Rourke throwing 4 touchdowns and the defense swarming all evening, the Lions extended their win streak to 2.

The Lions opened the game by receiving the kickoff and quickly established their rhythm on offense. Rourke then proceeded to dodge defenders coming at him while making a shotgun pass to Justin Mclnnis. 

The Lions continued to work as a team and make their way down the field in a series of first downs. It was a run by Butler that put them into the Alouettes red zone. Despite a pair of missed opportunities in the end zone, kicker Sean Whyte put the first points on the board with a 16-yard field goal at 9:31.

The Alouettes received the possession after the field goal; it didn't take long for the Lions DL Jonah Tavai  to spring into action and bring down the Alouettes QB Caleb Evans on a big sack. Holding the Alouettes to 2 downs with no yardage gain they decided to punt on the third, giving the possession back to the Lions. 

With a right pass from Rourke to Keon Hatcher, he was able to pick up 15 yards while dodging 3 defenders to give the Lions another first down. However the possession was given away when Rourke threw a pass straight to the Alouettes' Tyrice Beverette. BC responded by tightening up defensively, adding another sack on Evans before Whyte’s second field goal of the night extending the lead to 6–0 to close out the first quarter.

On the first play of the second quarter the Lions, Sione Teuhema, sacked Alouettes QB  Evans for the third time of the night, causing Evans to be injured on the play and leaving the game with an apparent lower body injury. Before his departure Evans threw for 32 yards and completed ¾ passes. The Alouettes then kicked a field goal from BC’s 41 yard line on the next play to bring the score to 3-6. 

With the return of possession back to Montreal, they turned to their backup QB; James Morgan, a 29 year old American quarterback to lead them through the rest of the game. Morgan was able to move his team from the MTL 40 to BC 13 yard line, where Jose Maltos Diaz kicked a 21-yard field goal.

The Lions made a series of drives including a 26 yard run from Butler and then a 27 yard run from Rourke to set the Lions in the red zone on the Alouettes 5 yard line. Rourke then connected with Mclnnis for the first touchdown of the game.

After half time the Lions kicked the ball to give the Alouettes possession. In the next play Morgan threw a deep 42 yard pass to Snead that was broken up by Lions Deontai Williams, however, a flag was thrown and it was called a passer interference. 

While the Alouettes attempted to score a touchdown while in the Lions end of the field their attempts came to an end when they were on a third down being held at the BC's 16. 

The Alouettes brought out their special team to attempt a field goal, while Maltos Diaz had completed field goals earlier in the game this one hit the left post and bounced out, causing a missed opportunity to catch the lions on the score board. 

At 2:30 left in the third Rourke completed an 8 yard pass to Hatcher to give the Lions a 23-9 lead as they headed into the last 15 minutes of the game. 

In the fourth, Rourke showcased his arm with a 49-yard strike to Ayden Eberhardt, setting up Hatcher’s second touchdown of the game. Minutes later, he found Stanley Berryhill for another score, though Whyte’s extra-point attempt was blocked. 

Montreal finally answered with a late touchdown from Cole Spieker, but the Lions’ defense denied the two-point conversion attempt, sealing the 36–18 win.

Rourke finished the night with 3 touchdown passes, spreading the ball effectively among his receivers, while Butler anchored the ground game with several key runs. Defensively, BC recorded multiple sacks and limited Montreal’s offense after Evans’ departure. 

After the game Rourke credited the offense’s balance for the win stating; “I think a lot of guys touched the ball, and that’s always my goal.”

With the win, the Lions improve to 5–5 on the season, while the Alouettes fall to 5–5, leaving both teams battling for positioning in a tight East-West playoff race.

The BC Lions next home game will take place on September 12 against the Ottawa Redblacks for their Campus Clash day at BC Place.