SPORTS WITH HARP: BC battles back for overtime victory over Hamilton

12 August 2025

bclions1 — Photos credit: Stefan Constantin

BY HARPREET PANDHER

Broadcaster on Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi and

BC Lions Football Punjabi

IG/X/TikTok: @harppandher

THE BC Lions survived a heart-pounding overtime battle to edge the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 41-38 on Thursday night. Nathan Rourke engineered a late fourth-quarter comeback drive, giving BC a narrow lead before Bo Levi Mitchell answered for Hamilton, setting up a game-tying field goal in the dying seconds.

In overtime, the Lions’ defense delivered the decisive blow—forcing Tim White to fumble—before Sean Whyte calmly drilled a 20-yard field goal for the win. BC improves to 4-5 on the season, while Hamilton falls to 6-3.

BC’s attack roared to life when it mattered most. Rourke’s precision passing and timely scrambling fueled the comeback, while the run game provided the balance to keep Hamilton’s defense guessing. Rourke finished 24 of 40 for 408 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, while adding 28 yards on two rushes. Justin McInnis caught eight passes for 159 yards on 12 targets, and Ayden Eberhardt made the most of his three catches by racking up 120 yards. James Butler carried 14 times for 85 yards and a touchdown, and also caught four passes for 55 yards and another TD. Jeremiah Masoli added a short rushing touchdown.

Micah Awe led the defense with six tackles. Deontai Williams, Patrice Rene, Robert Carter, and Ronald Kent Jr. each recorded four tackles, with Rene also notching a sack.

The Lions showed tremendous character in bouncing back from adversity throughout the contest. After falling behind multiple times, Rourke and the offense found ways to respond, culminating in the dramatic overtime victory that keeps their playoff hopes alive in the tough Western Division.

Can the Lions build on this momentum as they return home to face Montreal? The Lions return to Save-On-Foods Field at BC Place for a battle with the Montreal Alouettes next Saturday, August 16, at 4:00 pm. The first annual Show ‘N’ Shine game will feature an expanded Backyard Party at the Plaza of Nations, celebrating British Columbia’s car culture on display. Tickets start at only $19 and include free entry to the PNE Fair later this month. The first 5,000 fans through the gates will also receive a free Lions die-cast toy car.