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Watch: Former Ohio QB Nathan Rourke throws memorable touchdown in Jacksonville Jaguars debut

Nathan Rourke made a name for himself in his first 2023 NFL preseason action Saturday night.

Playing the entire second half of the Jacksonville Jaguars' 28-23 preseason-opening win against the Dallas Cowboys, Rourke, a former Ohio University quarterback, put on a show, connecting on nine of his 17 pass attempts for 153 passing yards along with 20 rushing yards on six carries with two touchdowns and a fumble.

But no touchdown was more memorable than his only touchdown pass of the game.

After scoring a 4-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, Rourke led the Jaguars on a nine-play, 67-yard scoring drive, ending with a touchdown pass that was nearly squashed by the Cowboys' defensive front.

With 3:56 left in the game, Durrell Johnson and Quinton Bohanna rushed through the Jaguars' offensive line, putting Rourke under duress in the backfield. But the Ohio product slipped out of the pocket, stepping forward, avoiding Isaiah Land, and fired to find Qadree Ollison for a 21-yard touchdown.

Playing for the Bobcats from 2017-2019, Rourke recorded 7,457 passing yards, 60 touchdowns and 20 interceptions — never throwing more than 10 interceptions in a season. He also added 2,634 rushing yards and 49 touchdowns on 425 rushes, averaging 6.2 yards per carry.

Rourke has spent the past two seasons with the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League, recording 4,103 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and 15 interceptions along with 415 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns according to statscrew.com.

The Jaguars have preseason games left against the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins before their 2023 season opener against the Indianapolis Colts at 1 p.m. Sept. 10.

cgay@dispatch.com

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Watch: Nathan Rourke, forrmer Ohio University QB, makes Jaguars debut