Rourke leads Lions past Stampeders, into West Division final
CBC
Even after putting up monster numbers in his first ever CFL playoff game, B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke saw room for improvement.
"We came out of it with a win. That was the most satisfying part to me," the 24-year-old Canadian said Sunday after the Lions topped the Calgary Stampeders 30-16 in the West Division semifinal.
"I mean, it wasn't pretty, but we got it done. And that's what playoffs are all about."
The performance didn't surprise Lions' head coach Rick Campbell.
"I've been the No. 1 Nathan Rourke fan for the last three years and he's gonna approach it — playoff, pre pre-season, regular season — he's going to have that same mentality [every game]," he said.
WATCH l Lions defeat Stampeders, will face Blue Bombers in West Division final:
B.C. got solid performances across the lineup.
Antonio Pipkin added 45 passing yards and a TD for the Lions, while Sean Whyte connected for three field goals and the defensive unit limited Calgary — who boosted the CFL's best run game in the regular season — to 83 rushing yards.
Stopping the league's top running back was a focus for the defensive group all week, said defensive lineman Mathieu Betts.
"Obviously they have a really good guy with Ka'Deem [Carey] there," he said. "Credit goes to our coaches for getting us ready, guys bought in and with our offence taking the lead somewhere in the first half, they became one dimensional, so that helped."
Maier said he and his teammates simply didn't execute.
"It hurts really bad, but I can assure you this — I'll be back and we'll be back from this," he said.
Mitchell threw for 147 yards in what was likely his last appearance in a Stampeders' uniform.
"It's been an amazing ride, an amazing career for that chapter. And I just appreciate it and everybody that's given me the opportunity," he said. "I look forward to the next part."
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