6 CFL records owned by BC Lions QB Nathan Rourke
The BC Lions were at risk of having their lofty preseason expectations be for nothing.
Thankfully, the CFL’s reigning Most Outstanding Player was there to save them.
When healthy, Nathan Rourke has been full value for the Lions this season, passing for over 300 yards in five of the six games he’s played and finished.
The 28-year-old has averaged 335.5 yards per game for the Lions during his last two starts, leading BC back into the playoff mix with a 4-5 record.
Not only that, but he’s shown versatility by training in flag football over the offseason, with the hopes of playing in the 2028 Olympics.
What can’t he do?
During Thursday’s 30-26 win over the Calgary Stampeders, Rourke recorded his 100th career CFL touchdown. He’s only the second Canadian quarterback of all-time to reach that mark.
ROURKE RUSHING TOUCHDOWN!
BC Lions take the lead! #CFL š§” pic.twitter.com/uaOvlAv4Vm
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 14, 2026
He continues to add to his resume, which is already looking pretty distinguished considering he has played 57 career CFL games, which is basically just over three full seasons.
Here are six records that Rourke already owns in the CFL, along with two more he could potentially reach in the near future.
Records Rourke owns
Anne-Marie Sorvin/Imagn Images
1. Single-game passing yards record by a Canadian
Rourke originally set this record back in 2022, when he threw for 436 yards during a 44-3 thrashing of the Toronto Argonauts.
Then, he broke his own record again. Just two weeks later, Rourke threw for 477 yards during a win over the Edmonton Elks.
One week later, he beat his own record once again, passing for 488 yards against the Calgary Stampeders.
The original record was set by Gerry Dattilio, who threw for 427 yards in a game back in 1981.
2. Best completion percentage in a game
The Aug. 6, 2022 game from Rourke saw him set multiple records.
Not only did he set the CFL’s single-game passing yards record by a Canadian QB that night, but he also had a completion percentage of 91.9 per cent. That stands as a CFL record among all QB’s with a minimum of 30 attempts. Rourke completed 34 of 37 passes in the victory over Edmonton.
3. Most touchdown passes in a game by a Canadian QB (tied)
Rourke’s magical night on Aug. 6, 2022 saw him tie another Canadian CFL QB record, one which has stood for more than 40 years.
The Victoria native threw five touchdown passes during that 46-14 victory over the Elks, tying him with Dattilio for the most touchdown throws by a Canadian QB in one game.
Perhaps the craziest thing about tying this record was the fact that Rourke threw all five of his touchdown passes before halftime.
4. Most touchdowns in a game by a Canadian
While Rourke merely tied Dattilio’s passing touchdown mark against the Elks back in 2022, he did get one record all to himself.
The 6-foot-1 QB also rushed for one touchdown in that game. The six total touchdowns he recorded were the most ever in a game by any Canadian player.
5. Single-season passing yards record by a Canadian
This helped solidify Rourke’s MOP bid last season for the Lions.
In Week 16, Rourke surpassed Russ Jackson’s 56-year-old record for the most passing yards in a season by any Canadian QB in CFL history.
Jackson threw for 3,641 yards back in 1969. By the time the season was finished, Rourke obliterated the old record, throwing for 5,290 yards total.
6. CFL single-season completion percentage record
The 2022 season cemented Rourke’s status as a professional QB for years to come. Even though he played just half the season, the then-24-year-old completed a whopping 78.7 per cent of his passes. That stands as a CFL record among all QBs.
Two more records Rourke could break soon
1. Canadian single-season passing TD record
Rourke nearly broke Jackson’s old record of 33 touchdown passes by a Canadian QB last season, leading his receivers to pay-dirt 31 times.
He’d have to go on a tear this season to tie the record, as he’d basically have to average 3.5 touchdown passes per game during the Lions’ last nine contests. Then again, this is a QB who has shown an ability to go on a tear.
Regardless, it seems like a foregone conclusion that Rourke will soon eclipse this record.
2. Back-to-back MOPs by a Canadian
If Rourke does go on a heater to end the season, he could make history once again. No Canadian player in the CFL has ever been named Most Outstanding Player in back-to-back seasons.
Eventually, Rourke should eclipse all the Canadian CFL QB records for passing yards, passing touchdowns and total touchdowns. All those records are held by Jackson.