Rourke continues success, guides Lions past Redblacks to remain undefeated

Nathan Rourke lived up to the hype Thursday night as the young Canadian quarterback led the B.C. Lions to their third straight CFL victory with a 34-31 decision over the Ottawa Redblacks at TD Place Stadium.

Rourke finished the game completing 23 of 31 passes for 359 yards, two passing touchdowns, one rushing TD and two interceptions, the first of his career.

Ottawa's Jeremiah Masoli proved far less effective going 13 for 26 for 159 yards with one rushing TD, as the Redblacks dropped their third close game in as many outings.

The Redblacks are the first to hold the unbeaten Lions (3-0-0) below 40 points this season.

WATCH | Lions remain undefeated with win over Redblacks:

Trailing 14-6 to start the second half, the Redblacks grabbed momentum when Money Hunter intercepted Rourke and ran the ball to the Lions' 16-yard line. Three plays later William Powell, playing his first game of the season, ran in a five-yard touchdown. Ottawa hadn't scored a touchdown through its last nine quarters. Two penalties and three two-point attempts later it was a tie game, 14-14.

On B.C.'s next possession Hunter came up with another interception, running the ball back 56 yards to the Lions' seven-yard line. Masoli ran for six yards and punched in a one-yard TD. Lewis Ward had a rare miss on the convert and Ottawa took a 20-14 lead.

Ward has only missed six of 46 career convert attempts.

The lead didn't last long as Rourke then connected with Keon Hatcher for a 71-yard TD pass and with the convert regained a 21-20 lead.

B.C. padded its lead after James Butler wrapped up a six-play sequence with a five-yard run into the end zone giving the Lions a 28-20 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Ward added a 38-yard field goal midway through the