Nathan Rourke’s superb season was hit by a road crash on Friday night as the BCV midfielder was injured lions‘Road 28-10 wins over Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The 24-year-old defender had to play early in the fourth half with a right foot injury after he was sacked by Saskatchewan midfielder Pete Robertson.
Lions head coach Campbell leaves no room for speculation, insisting very little information will be known without further assessment.
“We won’t know until some other test is done,” he said. “Doctors say you just can’t tell until you get it tested.
“So there are a lot of (probable) outcomes and we’ll figure that out as soon as we can. We’ll judge after we see what’s going on, but we’ll be smart with it.
“Hopefully we’re saying he’ll be back really soon.”
Although Rourke wore walking shoes when he left the field after the game, Campbell said the freshman looked better in the dressing room.
“He can put any weight on it, he’s walking around in the dressing room,” he said. “Obviously he was in pain… At first he felt pain on the sidelines, but now he has a smile on his face.
“He is happy that the team won. I think he’ll just wait and be patient and see what we’re dealing with. “
Rourke has become a strong contender for this season’s CFL Player of the Year with his combination of passing and running abilities – and Friday is no exception.
Rourke completed 22 of 31 375-yard passes, two touchdowns and two interceptions as the Lions improved to 8-1 and extended their winning streak to five games.
He also dashed 63 meters on three runs, including a 36-meter run in the third inning, setting up an 11-meter touchdown pass to Bryan Burnham.
Rourke set the tone for the Lions in the first half, making 16/22 285-yard passes and one touchdown. Both of his interceptions also came in the opening half.
With constant attacks in the bottom area, big play came with 1:58 left in the first half as Rourke connected with Lucky Whitehead on touchdown at 90 yards to give the Lions a 21-3 lead. . Saskatchewan’s three defenders focused on a short route by BC receiver Bryan Burnham, allowing Whitehead to run freely on a deep track.
Whitehead said the encounter was a direct result of studying the game film.
“We know (Defensive Riders’ Nick Marshall) likes to sit on the lines. We’ve seen it enough, so we took it when we saw it,” he said.
Saskatchewan QB Cody Fajardo made 8/13 41-meter passes and two interceptions before Riders head coach Craig Dickenson withdrew him into the second half.
Fajardo, who was struggling with a knee injury, was replaced by substitute Mason Fine.
He drove the Riders down the field on his first drive, connecting with Justin McInnis on a 4-yard touchdown pass. Fine completed three of the four passes on the 47-yard run.
Fine completed 16 of his 26 passes for 210 yards and one touchdown in the first time he’s seen extended action this season. He was also blocked once.
While he won’t expect to start next week’s game in Vancouver against the Lions, Fine feels he’s up for the challenge.
“I hunt to go. I think as a backup midfielder your job is to be ready for any given situation, like tonight,” said Fine.
“It’s just going back to what I’ve been doing all year – prepare as if you were the starter and you’re ready for any opportunity at any second. That’s what my mentality is all about. “
Lions reserve midfielder Anthony Pipkin scored two goals in midfield sneak attacks. Michael O’Connor came on for Rourke and finished 5/5 passes at 36 yards.
Campbell feels comfortable moving forward with O’Connor at the helm until Rourke can return.
“Michael was in this tournament and when he got there we said he was going to bring it home for us. He did everything the right way, managed the watch and did all that, which was good for him,” Campbell said.
“We think he’s a good player and that’s why we signed him.”
The Riders received interceptions from Larry Dean and Derrick Moncrief. Robertson, who returned to the Riders after suffering a foot injury on July 8, received his eighth pick of the season.
McInnis had six tackles for 111 yards and one touchdown.
Former drivers Loucheiz Purifoy, Ben Hladik and Marcus Sayles had interceptions for the Lions. David Menard and Oburn Gwacham each got two bags for BC while Josh Woods added another.
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