Lions QB Rourke throws record-setting 436 yards in dominant win over Argos

VANCOUVER — Even after setting a CFL record, B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke saw room for improvement.

The 24-year-old native of Victoria, B.C., threw for 436 yards on Saturday, powering the Lions to a dominant 44-3 victory over the Toronto Argonauts.

It was the most passing yards a Canadian quarterback has ever put up in a CFL game, eclipsing the 427-yard mark set by Gerry Dattilio in 1981.

"I'm just a distributor of the football out there. Those guys are getting in the right positions and they're making big plays," Rourke said after the win.

"There were a couple throws today, especially the first half where I wasn't nearly as accurate as I need to be. But those guys made some plays for me and made me look good out there."

The performance was no surprise to veteran Lions defensive back Gary Peters.

“When you come into the facility, he's the first one there. And I'm one of the last people to leave. He's literally there after me, walking eating a peanut butter jelly sandwich, trying to find something to do. He's always working no matter what," he said.

"He’s trying to perfect himself. He's a young guy, but you can see in his eyes that he’s really hungry."

Rourke completed 39 of 45 passes on Saturday, including four touchdowns. He was sacked once.

Dominique Rhymes hauled in two majors for B.C. (2-0), while Bryan Burnham and Jevon Cottoy each had one. Fullback David Mackie scored a rushing TD late in the fourth quarter. Kicker Sean Whyte chipped in with three field goals, including a 50-yard strike.

B.C.'s defence smothered the Argos (1-1), holding McLeod Bethel-Thompson to 178 passing yards. The Toronto quarterback connected on 15 of 21 attempts, threw one interception and was sacked twice before being replaced