Highlights:

• Nathan Rourke threw for 324 yards and 3 touchdowns in his return to BC
• Stanley Berryhill III hauled in 6 catches for 105 yards and 2 touchdowns
• Lions scored 28 second-half points to pull away after trailing at halftime

Game Recap:

The BC Lions overcame a sluggish first half to defeat the Edmonton Elks 31-14 in their 2024 season opener at BC Place on Saturday night. After trailing 7-3 at halftime, Nathan Rourke and the Lions offense exploded for four second-half touchdowns to start their season with a convincing victory. The Lions improved to 1-0 while the Elks dropped to 0-1 to begin their 2024 campaigns.

Game Highlights Video:

Watch the full game highlights above to catch all the key plays from BC Lions vs Edmonton Elks.

BC Lions Performance:

After struggling to find the end zone in the first half, the Lions’ offense found its rhythm in the third quarter behind Rourke’s precision passing and the playmaking ability of newcomer Stanley Berryhill III. The Lions tallied 449 total yards of offense, including 324 through the air and 125 on the ground.

Top Offensive Players:

• Nathan Rourke: QB – 27/36, 324 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT; 5 carries, 54 yards
• Stanley Berryhill III: WR – 6 receptions, 105 yards, 2 TDs
• Jevon Cottoy: WR – 7 receptions, 88 yards
• James Butler: RB – 10 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD; 3 receptions, 22 yards
• Justin McInnis: WR – 5 receptions, 45 yards, 1 TD

Top Defensive Players:

• Mathieu Betts: DE – 6 tackles
• Micah Awe: LB – 5 tackles
• Robert Carter: DB – 7 tackles
• Kemoko Turay: DL – 4 tackles, 1 sack
• Ben Hladik: LB – 3 tackles, 1 interception

Edmonton Elks Performance:

The Elks showed promise in the first half with a 7-3 lead at the break, but their offense stalled in the second half. Tre Ford displayed flashes of his dual-threat ability but couldn’t maintain consistency as the game progressed, finishing with 178 passing yards and one costly interception.

Top Offensive Players:

• Tre Ford: QB – 18/27, 178 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT; 6 carries, 54 yards
• Justin Rankin: RB – 7 carries, 24 yards; 5 receptions, 67 yards
• Arkell Smith: WR – 2 receptions, 55 yards
• Zach Mathis: WR – 4 receptions, 34 yards
• Cody Fajardo: QB – 3 carries, 4 yards, 2 TDs

Top Defensive Players:

• Nick Anderson: LB – 9 tackles
• Royce Metchie: DB – 5 tackles
• Nyles Morgan: LB – 5 tackles
• Kobe Williams: DB – 4 tackles
• Kordell Jackson: DB – 4 tackles

CFL Scores and Standings Update:

After the first weekend of CFL action, the BC Lions join the Montreal Alouettes, Calgary Stampeders, and Saskatchewan Roughriders as Week 1 winners, all sitting at 1-0. The Elks fall to 0-1 alongside the Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Ottawa Redblacks, while the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have yet to play their season opener. In the West Division, the Lions, Stampeders, and Roughriders are tied at the top with identical 1-0 records, while the Alouettes stand alone at the top of the East Division.

The Lions’ victory was defined by their second-half adjustments and Rourke’s ability to find his receivers downfield. After a slow start where both teams struggled in the red zone, BC’s offensive execution in the final two quarters proved to be the difference. Hladik’s fourth-quarter interception that set up Butler’s touchdown was the final nail in Edmonton’s coffin.

Will Nathan Rourke and the Lions continue their offensive momentum when they face the Blue Bombers next week? Can Tre Ford and the Elks regroup during their upcoming bye week before facing the Alouettes in Week 3? What are your thoughts on this game? Share your comments below.