Lions quarterback question looms large ahead of game vs. Tiger-Cats

Field Level Media|published: Thu 26th September, 20:42 2024

Jun 15, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; BC Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr (3) makes a catch during the first half against Calgary Stampeders defensive back Branden Dozier (3) at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Simon Fearn-Imagn Images

It's said by many that when a coach tells you they have two quarterbacks, they have no quarterbacks.

But the B.C. Lions insist that's not the case in their current circumstance. They know they have two pivots in Nathan Rourke and Vernon Adams that can win games.

Which one will be QB1 on Friday night when they welcome the surging Hamilton Tiger-Cats to Vancouver for a critical late-season matchup is the question.

It appeared Rourke locked up the job by leading B.C. (7-7) to dominating wins over East powers Ottawa and Montreal. But a poor first half on Sept. 13 in a 33-17 home loss to Toronto sent Rourke to the bench for Adams, who failed to provide the spark coach Rick Campbell sought.

"I've been on teams where you had two quarterbacks and ended up being a benefit in the long run," Campbell said. "I'd rather have two really good guys than zero guys. That's on me to make sure I'm doing a really good job of communicating."

Whoever takes the snaps Friday will be tasked with activating an explosive offense that never got started against Toronto, managing only 222 total yards and falling a game behind West leader Winnipeg.

Meanwhile, Hamilton (5-9) enters with a three-game winning streak after edging Toronto 33-31 last week for its second win of the month over the Argonauts. It has creeped within two games of its provincial rivals for the last Eastern playoff spot with four games left.

The Tiger-Cats won when Marc Liegghio boomed a 48-yard field goal into a swirling wind as time expired, sealing a season sweep of Toronto.

"I think they're feeling good about themselves," Hamilton coach Scott Milanovich said of his team. "They're happy with the improvements we've made. The three phases believe the other side is going to do their job. I told them that momentum is a powerful force and right now, we've got it."

The Lions won the teams' only meeting this season on July 7 in Hamilton, establishing a 34-11 halftime lead on their way to a 44-28 victory.

--Field Level Media