BC Lions clinch postseason berth with win on Mobil Thanksgiving Weekend

VANCOUVER -- Nathan Rourke threw for three touchdowns, and the rushing duo of Zander Horvath and James Butler added three rushing touchdowns as the BC Lions clinched a postseason berth, beating the Ottawa REDBLACKS 41-20 on Mobil Thanksgiving Weekend.

Sean Whyte was busy last week for the Lions, scoring all 24 points, but Rourke wasted no time changing that this week, throwing a touchdown pass to Keon Hatcher Sr. on the first drive. Horvath would run in a second score for the Leos on the ensuing offensive drive, as Whyte was not called on to kick a field goal Friday.

Rourke finished the night throwing for 360 yards on 25-of-31 passing. The Canadian signal caller had three touchdown passes and one interception.

Stanley Berryhill III was Rourke's favourite target, pulling in six of his seven targets for 105 yards and a score. Jevon Cottoy and Hatcher Sr. also scored touchdowns. Cottoy brought in all six of his targets for 48 yards, and Hatcher Sr. got four receptions for 44 yards. Justin McInnis had a quiet night, but was able to secure his third straight 1,000-yard receiving season with 42 yards receiving.

In Week 13, Horvath ran rampant against the REDBLACKS, going for 164 yards and four touchdowns. This week, the ground game was not the main point of attack. Horvath still had 14 carries for 89 yards and two touchdowns. Backfield mate, Butler rumbled for 76 yards on eight carries with a touchdown while adding two catches for 65 yards.

McLeod Bethel-Thompson went 25-for-35 on the evening for 253 yards with one touchdown and an interception. The veteran quarterback's favourite target was Canadian running back Daniel Adeboboye. Adeboboye had five receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown, adding 43 yards on the ground on eight carries.

Ayden Eberhardt moved to within four yards of the 1,000 mark on the season with seven catches for 45 yards. Justin Hardy moved into sixth all-time in receiving yards for the REDBLACKS franchise, passing Greg Ellingson with 44 yards on two catches Friday.

The REDBLACKS forced three turnovers in the game with one interception, one fumble recovery, and one turnover-on-downs. Alonzo Addae had a first-half interception, his third off Rourke, after he had two back in their Week 13 matchup.

The Lions' defence forced four turnovers in the win with two fumble recoveries, an interception, and a turnover on downs. Darnell Sankey tallied eight defensive tackles on the night and joins Willie Pless (1997-99) as the only players with three consecutive 100-tackle seasons.

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SCORING PLAYS

• Nathan Rourke 10-yard touchdown pass to Keon Hatcher Sr. (10:19, Q1) | BC 7 OTT 0

• Zander Horvath 11-yard touchdown run (05:46, Q1) | BC 14 OTT 0

• McLeod Bethel-Thompson 18-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Adeboboye - missed PAT (03:07, Q1) | BC 14 OTT 6

• Paul Geelen 38-yard field goal (13:11, Q2) | BC 14 OTT 9

• Nathan Rourke 26-yard touchdown pass to Stanley Berryhill III (05:00, Q2) | BC 21 OTT 9

• Paul Geelen 24-yard field goal (00:00, Q2) | BC 21 OTT 12

• Paul Geelen 52-yard field goal (12:21, Q3) | BC 21 OTT 15

• Paul Geelen 18-yard field goal (03:55, Q3) | BC 21 OTT 18

• Zander Horvath one-yard touchdown run (00:23, Q3) | BC 28 OTT 18

• Nathan Rourke eight-yard touchdown pass to Jevon Cottoy, missed PAT returned for two by Kalil Pimpleton (11:22, Q4) | BC 34 OTT 20

• James Butler 14-yard rushing touchdown (06:56, Q4) | BC 41 OTT 20

NEXT UP

The BC Lions will head east to Calgary to take on the Stampeders in a pivotal matchup for both teams. The Stamps are eyeing the final playoff spot in the West or the crossover, while the Leos are looking to get home-field advantage. This game will be the season rubber match, as BC took the last contest between the two, 30-26 at McMahon Stadium in Week 11, and the Stampeders won the Week 4 matchup 41-33 at BC Place.

The Ottawa REDBLACKS will head back home to host the Toronto Argonauts in Week 20, as they continue their search for their first win. The REDBLACKS lost their Week 15 matchup 26-23 with a walk-off field goal by Lirim Hajrullahu.