Chase Brice to start as Lions return to B.C. Place against Argonauts

Chase Brice will make his first start of the season when the B.C. Lions host the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday at B.C. Place, with Nathan Rourke sidelined by a shoulder injury.

Rourke, the CFL’s reigning outstanding player, was hurt on the Lions’ second offensive play in last week’s 19-17 loss to the Edmonton Elks. Brice completed 20 of 32 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown after taking over, but threw four interceptions as B.C. fell to 1-4.

Brice said the experience showed him how important it is to respond to mistakes and adversity. He said a full week of starter’s repetitions should help after most of his previous playing time came in the pre-season or late-game situations. Head coach Buck Pierce said Brice’s tempo and communication with coaches and teammates were where they needed to be.

The game marks the Lions’ first appearance at B.C. Place this season. Their first two home dates were played in Kelowna because of the FIFA World Cup.

Toronto arrives with a 2-4 record and a three-game losing streak. The Argonauts lost 24-23 to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last week when Lirim Hajrullahu missed a 31-yard field goal as time expired. Rookie Canadian Brady Lidster will kick against B.C.; Hajrullahu has been moved to the reserve roster for non-injury reasons after making 12 of 18 field-goal attempts this season.

Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly entered Week 8 second in the CFL with 2,126 passing yards and 15 touchdown passes, while also leading the league with nine interceptions. Recently signed defensive linemen DeWayne Hendrix and Shawn Lemon, who has 103 career sacks, are expected to play. Kelowna receiver Nolan Ulm is set to make his professional debut after starting the season on the six-game injured list.