Horvath’s three TDs power Lions to victory over Alouettes

VANCOUVER — Zander Horvath drove in three touchdowns and the B.C. Lions held on for a 48-29 victory over the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday.

B.C. jumped out to a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter, only to see the visitors rally and get the game to within four points late in the first half.

Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke made good on 24 of his 33 attempts for 317 passing yards, connecting with Keon Hatcher Sr. for a second-quarter touchdown.

The Canadian added 77 rushing yards and drove in a major of his own, while defensive lineman Casey Sayles also notched a TD for B.C. (7-6). Sean Whyte made a pair of field goals, including a 42-yard kick late in the game's final minutes.

Davis Alexander threw for 242 yards for the Alouettes (10-3), and found both Tyler Snead and Tyson Philpot in the end zone. He also registered an interception early in the second quarter.

Defensive tackle Mustafa Johnson added a Montreal major off a forced fumble and Jose Maltos Diaz chalked up three field goals.

The result capped a home-and-home series that saw the Als take a 37-30 win in Montreal last week.

The Alouettes came within inches of recording an early interception Saturday when Robert Kennedy III nearly picked off Rourke's attempt to Jermaine Jackson on the goal line midway through the first quarter.

Rourke put a pass just over the outstretched fingertips of Stanley Berryhill on the next play and the Lions settled for a 35-yard field goal from Whyte to open the scoring.

A successful challenge helped B.C. boost its lead before the end of the opening frame.

Tyrice Beverette swooped in to collect Rourke's pass in the end zone and it looked like the visitors had made good on the interception. Lions head coach Buck Pierce challenged the play and, after review, officials ruled Lorenzo Burns had interfered with the pass, putting B.C. at the one-yard line.

Horvath capitalized, plunging in and Whyte's convert gave the home side a 10-0 lead.

Seconds into the second quarter, Alexander tried to get a pass off before he was pulled down from behind, but Sayles nabbed the ball and sprinted in for another TD that put the Lions up 17-0.

The interception ended a streak that saw the Als QB go 108 attempts without getting picked off.