Quote:
Originally Posted by jerrym
TSN is going to show this game.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jerrym
TSN is going to show this game.
Rourke led the Ohio Bobcats to a rout in the Bahamas Bowl.Quote:
Originally Posted by OV Argo
https://www.thestar.com/sports/footb...-bowl-win.htmlQuote:
Nathan Rourke — a native of Oakville, Ont. — threw for two scores and Ohio beat UAB 41-6 in the Bahamas Bowl on Friday.
Ohio (9-4) averaged 38.9 points per game during the season, setting a school record with 467 points scored, and the Bobcats exhibited that prowess in the opening half of this one, using big plays to build a 27-3 halftime lead.
Rourke, who is in his sophomore season with Ohio, was 12 of 18 for 185 yards passing and rushed for 30 yards.
Rourke was a second-team All-MAC selection this season and set single-season records at Ohio with 21 rushing touchdowns, 22 touchdowns scored and 132 points scored.
His performance is no longer going unnoticed. The following article is two months old but is the best review of his skills that I could find.
http://www.thepostathens.com/article...ce-rising-starQuote:
It’s not hard to notice that something is different with Ohio this season. With every snap, the difference touches the ball. He stands 6-foot-2, weighs 209 pounds and is a true sophomore. He’s not physically imposing, either. At least before the snap.
The main reason for Ohio’s offensive turnaround starts and ends with one player, the difference-maker for Ohio: Nathan Rourke.
A transfer, Rourke came in as the backup to start the season behind Quinton Maxwell. That lasted all of a game and a quarter. Ohio was then committed to a two-quarterback system. That lasted a game.
Rourke, right now, might end up as the best quarterback that coach Frank Solich has coached in Athens.
Rourke started the Kansas game, the third game of the season, and hasn’t looked back. His numbers have been astounding, his game has been calm and his offense has soared.
Ohio ranks eighth in the country in points per game (41.2) and 22nd in rushing yards per game. On a personal level, Rourke’s numbers are more impressive. He leads the Mid-American Conference in scoring (96 points), rushing touchdowns (16) and is fourth with 2,057 total yards.
He’s already tied for 10th in Ohio history for passing touchdowns in a season (13) and is second with rushing touchdowns (16). With four more rushing touchdowns, he’ll break Kalvin McRae’s all-time mark of 19. McRae broke that record in 2007 — as a senior running back. I
There are faults to Rourke’s game, sure. He’s just 19 and hasn’t played a full season of FBS football. To talk about his faults would be nitpicking.
He’s thrown just <ins style="box-sizing: border-box;">three interceptions</ins>. He’s fumbled three times, all against Central Michigan. He doesn’t have a rocket arm, but his passes often times find their target. He doesn’t have breakaway speed, but he can juke and make cuts to slow the defense down.
When his arm isn’t there, like against Bowling Green, he rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns. When Miami shut down the run, he threw for 294 yards and three touchdowns. ...
It might be easy to doubt Rourke. ...
But with Rourke’s history, that wouldn’t be wise.
Last month Rourke was selected as the top Canadian playing United States college football. The other top four leading contenders for the award are also briefly described in the article.
http://footballcanada.com/quarterbac...adian-in-2017/Quote:
Oakville, Ontario native Nathan Rourke has been selected the Krown Countdown U Top Canadian in the NCAA in 2017. The selection was conducted via a panel of Canadian media and Canadian Football League scouts in the field.
The sophomore QB burst onto the NCAA scene in his first season in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) with the Ohio Bobcats. Rourke seized control of the starters role at pivot in the second game, leading Ohio to an 8-4 record. In his breakout year, Rourke demonstrated his athleticism, versatility and durability. He passed for 2,018 yards, 15 TDs and seven interceptions while completing 54.4%. In addition, he ran 134 times for 882 yards, averaging 6.6 yards per carry while finding the end zone 21 times. The 21 rushing TDs in a season is a new Bobcat record. Rourke even added a receiving TD, which means he played a role in 37 TDs this season.
Rourke was humble in his assessment of his performance in 2017. “I think I did a good job of managing what I could and reacting to a lot of things, that’s why I could take advantage of the running game,” Rourke told KCU. Even with the eye-popping first-year numbers, Rourke promises he will continue to work hard to improve his game moving forward. “There’s parts of a refined aspect of playing quarterback at this level I want to master but that the challenge that I like and love,” he said.
Rourke played his first three years of high school football at Holy Trinity High School in Oakville and lead Holy Trinity to its first OFSAA Bowl Championship in 2014. In 2015, He moved to Alabama for his senior year in high school to continue his development at quarterback. At Edgewood Academy in Elwood, Ala. he went 13-0 as a starter and won the AA Alabama State Championship, passing for for 3,779 yards and 59 touchdowns while rushing for seven more touchdowns.
Upon graduation, he spent a year in Junior College at Fort Scott CC where he played in all 11 games in 2016, leading the Greyhounds to a 4-7 record while passing for 2,367 yards, 18 TDs, three rushing TDs and was named First Team All-KJCCC.
The impact of Canadian players continues to be felt stateside. By last count, there were 94 Canadian-born players in Division I and II, not including those at Burnaby, BC’s Simon Fraser University who play in the D2 Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC). The four other outstanding players who were finalists in the “Stateside 5” were:
Dejon Brissett – Wide Receiver, Richmond Spiders (Jr. Mississauga, ON) 63 receptions, 896 yards, 7TD, 1,105 all-purpose.
Chase Claypool – Wide Receiver, Notre Dame Fighting Irish (So. Abbotsford, BC) 29 receptions, 402 yards, 2TD.
Justin McInnis – Wide Receiver, Arkansas State Red Wolves (Jr. Pierrefonds, PQ) 42 receptions, 693, 3TD.
Hergy Mayala – Wide Receiver, UConn Huskies (Jr. Montreal, PQ) 43 receptions, 615, 7TD.
As a sophomore QB Nathan Rourke had quite a year, rushing for 912 yards, second in the US for a QB, and first among Division I QBs. Rourke led Ohio to victory in the Bahamas Bowl. He was 161/292 for 2203 yards with a 55.1% completion average. The following tweet includes his 2017 video highlights.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nathan Rourke Official Sophomore Highlights!<br><br>🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/nathan_rourke?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nathan_rourke</a>🔥<br><br>Stats:<br>====<br>Pass Yds: 2203<br>Pass TD: 17<br>Rush Yds: 912<br>Rush TD: 21 <a href="https://t.co/fRZPrKYNP5">pic.twitter.com/fRZPrKYNP5</a></p>— the CNtaco (@theCNtaco) <a href="https://twitter.com/theCNtaco/status/986001153904332800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Quote:
Originally Posted by jerrym
Never heard of him until now, he looks pretty good and he's only a Junior 20 years old. If he keeps this up over the next 3 years he could end up in the NFL.
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FYI, Junior is 3rd year, so he has 2 years left, not 3.Quote:
Originally Posted by Flutie
Athlon Sports puts Nathan Rourke 26 of 130 in NCAA FBS QB rankings.
26. Nathan Rourke, Ohio
https://s3.amazonaws.com/i.athcdn.co...io-bobcats.pngRourke was one of the MAC's top breakout players last season. After taking over as the team's starter in the third game of 2017, Rourke helped Ohio's offense lead the MAC in scoring offense (39.1 ppg) and second in yards per play (6.4). The junior college product threw for 2,203 yards and 17 scores, but his biggest asset was the ability to make plays on the ground. Rourke finished second on the team with 912 rushing yards and tied for third nationally with 21 touchdowns on the ground.
Interesting; but probably not enough recognition yet to merit serious NFL consideration; he could improve and move up lots yet still though.Quote:
Originally Posted by PullTogether73
That NCAA Div I resume, plus the guy has pro size and some outstanding QB mobility skills = should make this guy the best Canadian QB prospect for the pros in a long time; Bridge has the NCAA starter resume + pro plus size + the rocket for an arm; but Rourke has already done more in US college ball arguably and has 2 years to go there.
1st round CFL draft pick for sure in a couple of years - LOL !
I thought the same thing actually, although I was serious.Quote:
Originally Posted by OV Argo
I can understand why you laugh though.
With the current CFL rule regarding Canadian QBs, there is no incentive for teams to look at one, so Rourke will likely be passed over for some middling American QB with a documented history from high school to add to his college credentials. Rourke's high school history will likely be discounted or ignored IMO.
I really wish the CFL would change that outdated rule.
:sick:
Rourke should get drafted if he continues his career path. Bridge went in the 4th round.
I doubt pro scouts care much what any player did in high school.
Here's a video interview with Rourke as he prepares for the Ohio University season in his junior year, where he discusses his shoulder injury to his non-throwing arm that kept him out of spring practice, as well as pre-season camp and the upcoming year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY5Og_uLXV8
Here's a review of Rourke as his junior season approaches.
https://www.hustlebelt.com/2018/8/24...rourke-qb-ohioQuote:
The option quarterback’s ability to create rushing touchdowns near the end zone didn’t dwindle after the Week 1 performance. Rourke finished 2017 with four games of three touchdowns and three games of two touchdowns. Out of all FBS players, he ranked third by compiling 21 rushing touchdowns, only trailing running backs Devin Singletary and Rashaad Penny. Rourke nearly closed in on the 1,000-yard mark, achieving 912 yards on the ground. He’s the closest replica of Jordan Lynch the conference has seen since Lynch finished third in Heisman voting in 2013. And just like Lynch, the Canadian junior has more talents on the field than acting as a glorified running back.
Completing passes at a 55.1 percent mark, Rourke isn’t the most pinpoint accurate passer in college football. But oftentimes, he makes good decisions to stay mistake free. Rourke didn’t toss his first career interception until his sixth game. Going over 100 attempts without a pick is rare for a first-time starter, but Rourke adapted to the role immediately. On a run first, speed option-loving team, he doesn’t typically post 300-yard, 3-touchdown games through the air, but he is capable. His best performance as a traditional quarterback fell on Halloween night last year, lighting up the Miami RedHawks defense for 294 yards and three scores in a 45-28 victory. ...
Now as a junior with a year of experience under his belt, Rourke can even further develop as a dual-threat quarterback. His running abilities are almost near the pinnacle compared to other college QBs, but Rourke has room to improve as a passer. There was a period from October 14 to November 24 where Rourke completed just 49.4 percent of passes — the same period where all seven of his interceptions transpired. Ohio still finished 4-3 during this stretch, as Rourke often tormented opposing defenses with his rushing abilities.
Improvements on accuracy and pocket passing could allow Rourke to lock up MAC Offensive Player of the Year honors and possibly toss his name into the Heisman race. Jordan Lynch and Nate Davis are the only two MAC quarterbacks to receive votes in the last 10 years, and if Ohio finishes 11-1 or 12-0 behind Rourke’s impressive numbers, don’t be surprised if he captures a few of the voters’ eyes.
After three so-so games following an off-season where he had shoulder surgery on his non-passing arm resulting in his missing nearly all off-season practice, Nathan Rourke had a seasonal breakout game today against the University of Massachesetts, as did another Canadian with the Ohio Bobcats, Maleek Irons from Chiliwack, BC.
http://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/fb...18-19/scheduleQuote:
Individually, Nathan Rourke (Oakville, Ontario, Canada) finished the game with a career-high 23 completions in 32 attempts for 270 yards and three passing touchdowns. On the ground, Rourke recorded a career-high 189 rushing yards with one touchdown. Maleek Irons (Chilliwack, British Columbia) finished the game with 13 carries for a career-high 140 yards and two touchdowns.
Rourke, who just last week had his best career game ever going 23/32 for 270 yards, topped that this week in going 18/20 for 284 yards. Considering that he had a 2017 55% passing percentage, these two games indicate he has improved his passing technique considerably since last year. He also led the team to a 27-26 win by taking the team downfield for the winning score with five minutes to go, something that he had done several times last year, suggesting he does not panic under pressure.
https://www.thepostathens.com/articl...-nathan-rourkeQuote:
Nathan Rourke went to work at his own 19-yard line at Dix Stadium with 5:07 to play. The Bobcats were down five and hadn’t led in the game •Saturday.
On a first-down scramble from his own territory, he gained 5 yards before running out of bounds. But after he had already stepped out, he was hammered on the sidelines. Personal foul. Tack on 15 yards.
After that, Rourke terrorized the Kent State defense — as he did for much of the day — and he capped the drive off with a dazzling, spinning, game-winning touchdown run from 8 yards out with just 1:28 to play, lifting Ohio to a 27-26 come-from-behind victory over Kent State. ...
The touchdown run capped off a brilliant day from Rourke, who was 18-of-20 through the air for 284 yards and a touchdown. He was nearly flawless passing the ball, aside from his first quarter interception and his one incompletion. This kind of game is becoming a norm for Rourke — and for the Bobcats. Rourke and the offense struggles early. The defense allows touchdowns and Ohio has a double-digit deficit. Rourke finds his stride and the Bobcats earn key defensive stops at timely moments and the offense digs them out of a hole.
Rourke had another good game passing going 15/23 for 275 yards but had his usually strong rushing game shut down today as Ohio lost to the Mid-American Conference West leaders Northern Illinois 24-21.
Nathan Rourke only threw 12 passes but completed 8 of them including 4 for TDs as he led Ohio to victory over Bowling Green 49-14, primarily by the run, carrying the ball for 100 yards himself on 10 carries, while fellow Canadian Maleek Irons rushed for 116 yards.
Rourke led Ohio to another lopsided victory, defeating Western Michigan 59-14 to give Ohio a 6-3 record. He was 12/14 for 149 yards and 3 TDs, while rushing for 68 yards and 2 TDs on nine carries in leading Ohio to a 45-0 halftime lead, then leaving the game shortly thereafter to give his backup some playing time. Rourke has improved his passing percentage from 55.1% in 2017 to 62.9% so far this year.
Rourke's Ohio U team will host U of Buffalo Wednesday at 7:00 on TSN3 and 5.
Rourke had another good game in leading Ohio to a 52-17 win over Buffalo while going 17/26 for 209 yards and rushing for 77 yards.Quote:
Originally Posted by argolio