Canadian QB Rourke delivers masterful 6-TD performance as Lions rout Elks

Nathan Rourke threw for an eye-popping 477 yards Saturday, leading the B.C. Lions to a 46-14 dismantling of the Edmonton Elks.

Michael O'Connor came in under centre for the Lions (6-1) late in the fourth quarter but did not record a single throw as B.C. opted to rush to close out the game.

Edmonton (2-6) slotted Taylor Cornelius back in at QB after Tre Ford was added to the six-game injured list Friday, but once again struggled against a B.C. side that took a 59-15 win in Week 1 action.

WATCH | Rourke caps off dominant performance:

Cornelius threw for 183 yards on Saturday, connecting on 15 of 26 attempts with one touchdown pass and an interception. He was sacked five times.

Maleek Irons added a rushing major for the Elks, who were coming off a bye week.

Both sides stuttered to start the game, with the Elks turning the ball over on their first two possessions.

The Lions capitalized on the second error. Rourke connected with Dominique Rhymes on a two-yard touchdown pass, capping a six-play, 49-yard scoring drive that put B.C. up 7-0 midway through the first quarter.

Edmonton responded, steadily working its way down the field before Cornelius escaped the pocket and fired a 19-yard bullet to Kenny Lawler in the end zone. The seven-play, 69-yard drive marked the Elks' only points of the first half.

B.C. was far from through.

The Lions started their next possession with a 49-yard pass from Rourke to Lucky Whitehead, who sprinted into Edmonton territory. The young QB followed up with a 16-yard toss to Keon Hatcher, then tacked on a 14-yard run. Before the end of the opening frame, he sailed another ball to Rhymes for a major.

The pair connected once again midway through the second when Rhymes, under pressure, leapt up to reel