Stats and scores don’t matter much in NFL preseason, so it can be hard for players to stand out. Jacksonville Jaguars third-string quarterback Nathan Rourke found a way Saturday night.
First, Rourke led the Jaguars down the field on a eight-play, 75-yard drive in the fourth quarter that was capped by the quarterback jogging into the end zone for a go-ahead touchdown. But it was the next drive when he threw a touchdown that had everyone buzzing.
Rourke shook off three Cowboys pass rushers and fired a 21-yard touchdown pass to Qadree Ollison as a fourth Dallas defender was in the process of bringing him down. It was enough to capture the attention of much of the football world, including two-time NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes.
That was nasty!!! 💪🏽💪🏽 https://t.co/rVFePs6rW8
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) August 13, 2023
Nasty, indeed.
While social media was going about the play long after the game ended, Rourke didn’t have much to say about it when reporters met him in the locker room.
“It’s just a preseason game, but it’s fun to be out there,” Rourke said. “You get to show them what you got, that you can’t really do with the plays in practice. It’s a good stepping off point that we will continue to build on.”
Rourke, who played the entire second half, finished the game with 153 passing yards and 20 rushing yards.
