B.C. Lions running back Zander Horvath is closing in on two CFL single-season touchdown records with four regular-season games remaining. He has scored 16 rushing touchdowns and 19 combined touchdowns, placing him three short of Mike Pringle’s league record for rushing touchdowns and four behind Milt Stegall’s mark for combined scores.

Horvath has scored at least three touchdowns in a game three times this season. He had a season-high four in B.C.’s 45-24 victory over Ottawa on Aug. 30. The Lions’ scoring leader said increased opportunities with the ball have helped fuel his production.

“I don’t know if there’s anything specific, I think it’s just more opportunities with the ball in my hands,” Horvath said. “I’m 27 now, although I still think it’s pretty young, but my body feels great, no injuries or anything so I can play my best football and I think I’m showing that.”

He said he knows the records are being discussed but does not want to let them distract from the team’s priorities. “I’m definitely aware (of records), people bring it up all the time. But I don’t get too locked in on stuff like that because it could take away from more important things.”

For B.C., which is 8-6, those priorities include strengthening its position in the West Division. The Lions sit second, just ahead of Saskatchewan at 8-6, Winnipeg at 7-7 and Calgary at 7-8. They visit the Toronto Argonauts, who are 9-6, on Saturday afternoon.

Horvath is also fifth in CFL rushing, with 751 yards at an average of five yards per carry. He has added 24 receptions for 229 yards and three touchdowns. Another milestone is within reach: if he averages 63 rushing yards in each of the Lions’ remaining four games, he will reach 1,000 yards for the first time since high school.

“That would be huge but I try not to focus on that, either,” Horvath said. “All it really takes is a couple of big games … but at this level you’re still a professional and must make things happen even if they’re not expected.”

He has already recorded three games with at least 100 rushing yards. His career best was 191 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-19 win over Winnipeg on July 30, his first start of the 2026 season. He also ran for 164 yards in the Ottawa win.

Horvath last produced touchdowns at this pace while attending Marian High School in Mishawaka, Indiana, where he rushed for 3,373 yards and 50 touchdowns. After high school, he committed to play linebacker at Indiana as a preferred walk-on. He later transferred to Purdue after being offered the chance to play running back, also as a preferred walk-on.

At Purdue from 2018 to 2021, Horvath recorded 1,181 rushing yards at a 4.4-yard average and eight touchdowns in 38 games. He also caught 68 passes for 592 yards and a touchdown. The Los Angeles Chargers selected him in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft.

As a rookie fullback with Los Angeles, he appeared in 15 games, rushing four times for eight yards and making five catches for eight yards and two touchdowns. He moved among four teams over the next two seasons, including a second stint with the Chargers, before joining B.C. in 2025.

In 10 regular-season games with the Lions that year, Horvath rushed for 231 yards on 24 carries, averaging 9.6 yards, and scored twice. Most of that output came in a 52-23 win over Calgary on Sept. 19, 2025, when he ran for 152 yards and a touchdown.

This season, Horvath has gained more chances to score while serving as B.C.’s short-yardage quarterback. Taking snaps under centre required some adjustment, he said, since he had only taken a few wildcat snaps in college.

“In college I think I took a couple of wildcat snaps but I’d never done that (going under centre) before,” he said. “But it didn’t take long to get used to, just more muscle memory and getting used to the feeling with Mike (centre Michael Couture).”

Horvath said he had been told the short-yardage role would bring more scoring chances, but did not expect so many. “When people mentioned I’d be doing short-yardage, they said, ‘Yeah, you’ll definitely have more (scoring) opportunities,’ but I didn’t realize how many that would be. I haven’t really had touchdowns like this since high school so it’s kind of, ‘Wow.’”

Lions head coach Buck Pierce described Horvath as a complete running back, citing his ability to run downhill, catch passes, protect the quarterback and contribute in the box. “He’s taken the opportunity to grow within the offence and what we ask of our backs,” Pierce said. “Every player wants to do more but it’s a credit to them when they want to learn more. As an offensive guy, I’m big on continuing to push the envelope with these guys.”

Pierce said Horvath deserves the chance to challenge both records, while emphasizing that the team’s late-season aim is not centred on either achievement. “Ultimately, it’s where the team needs to get to,” he said. “Zander is extremely deserving, but for us the ultimate goal is to get to the Grey Cup and win it.”

Horvath said he shares that focus and has continued to believe he could play running back throughout his football career. “You must always have faith and confidence in yourself,” he said. “It has all taken time but it’s just showing (what you can do) with the reps and experience you gain as you play more.”

The Canadian Press first published this report on Oct. 1, 2026.

Based on reporting by Global News Edmonton.