High-flying Lions look to stay undefeated against rested Redblacks

Nathan Rourke has grabbed the early headlines this CFL season — and not simply because he's a rare Canadian quarterback.

The 24-year-old from Victoria, B.C., powered the B.C. Lions (2-0) to a pair of lopsided victories to start the campaign and, last week, set a league record in the process. Rourke threw for 436 yards and hit a new single-game record for passing yards by a Canadian QB as the Lions thumped the Toronto Argonauts 44-3.

B.C. has scored 103 points this year, matching the most any CFL club has put up in the first two games of a season (Toronto, 1992).

While much of the attention has been on Rourke, the Lions' defence has been solid, too, giving up just 18 points, including a single touchdown.

B.C. will need both the offence and defence to click once again on Thursday as they take on the rested Redblacks in Ottawa.

Ottawa (0-2) is coming off a bye after dropping a 19-12 decision to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Week 2 action.

Redblacks QB Jeremiah Masoli is trying for a third-straight game with more than 300 passing yards. He's hit the mark in six of his last eight starts dating back to his time with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last year.

Ottawa will add a potent piece to the lineup this week with running back William Powell making his season debut. The 34-year-old Kansas State product missed the first two games with an Achilles injury but was a full participant in practice on Monday.

The Lions, meanwhile, will be without star receiver Bryan Burnham, who was added to the six-game injured list after suffering fractured ribs in Saturday's win. He'll be replaced in the lineup by Josh Pearson, a 25-year-old American who spent 2020 with the Super Bowl-winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Pick: B.C.

Edmonton Elks at