Lions Crush Stampeders in Record-Breaking Night
The Calgary Stampeders had home field advantage on Friday night, but it was the B.C. Lions who completely stole the show, leaving McMahon Stadium with a dominant 52–23 victory. What unfolded on the field felt less like a contest and more like a statement from the Lions, powered by the incredible play of quarterback Nathan Rourke and a highlight-reel performance from Zander Horvath.
Rourke, the 27-year-old from Victoria, showed once again why he’s become one of the brightest Canadian stars in football. Not only did he throw for two touchdowns and 331 yards, but he also ran in three scores himself. With that performance, his season passing total climbed to 3,935 yards, breaking a record that had stood since 1969, when Russ Jackson set the previous high for a Canadian passer. The moment was described by Rourke as an honour, as he credited his teammates and emphasized his pride in contributing to Canadian football.
Also Read:Horvath added an exclamation point in the fourth quarter when he exploded downfield for a stunning 70-yard touchdown run. That play put the game well out of reach and capped off what was already a lopsided affair. The Lions’ offence seemed unstoppable all night, despite being without their usual rushing leader James Butler, who was sidelined with a thigh injury. Even so, B.C. surged to a 21–0 lead before Calgary could earn its first down, and by halftime, the Lions were already up 28–7.
The Stampeders, who entered the game with an 8–5 record, couldn’t find their rhythm. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. was intercepted twice early on and eventually left the game in the third quarter after taking a hard hit. His replacement, P.J. Walker, briefly found some success but also exited with an arm injury, forcing Calgary to turn to third-stringer Quincy Vaughn. Despite touchdowns from Vaughn and receiver Tevin Jones, as well as three field goals by Rene Paredes, the Stampeders never seriously threatened the Lions’ lead.
Head coach Dave Dickenson didn’t sugarcoat the defeat afterward, admitting his team was “beat up” and outprepared. It was clear frustration was shared on the field, as Calgary’s players voiced their disappointment over the injuries and lack of protection for their quarterbacks.
For B.C., though, the night was filled with positives. The Lions stretched their streak of scoring 30 or more points in a game to seven straight, while their defence rebounded after several shaky weeks by keeping one of the CFL’s stronger offences on the ropes. Head coach Buck Pierce praised his offensive line for setting the tone, pointing out how rare it is to create so many big plays against a disciplined Stampeders defence.
This win lifted the Lions back to an even 7–7 record, restoring momentum as they head into a crucial stretch of the season. Meanwhile, the Stampeders, now on a two-game losing skid, will have to regroup quickly before facing the Montreal Alouettes next week. The two teams are set for a rematch on October 4 in Vancouver, and if Friday night was any indication, the Lions will enter that game brimming with confidence.
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