The Edmonton Elks achieved a 23-18 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday night, extending their unbeaten start to the season. Quarterback Cody Fajardo connected with TJ Luther for an eight-yard touchdown pass with 53 seconds remaining, securing the win after the Elks had lost a 17-point lead and were trailing by one point in the fourth quarter.
Fajardo completed 25 of 35 passes for 267 yards during the game. Running back Justin Rankin contributed significantly to the Elks’ offence, rushing for 106 yards and scoring one touchdown on 15 carries. This performance marked the first time the Elks have started a season with a 3-0 record since 2017.
Luther praised Fajardo’s leadership, noting that the quarterback maintained team cohesion even amidst a loud crowd. Head coach Mark Kilam also highlighted Fajardo’s ability to find ways to win, particularly in crucial moments, echoing a team mantra for the season.
Elks’ Offensive and Defensive Plays
The Elks’ ground game was a key factor in their success, with the team rushing for 121 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. Rankin’s individual effort, surpassing the 100-yard mark on just 15 carries, made him a notable performer. Backup quarterback Cole Snyder added another touchdown with a one-yard plunge, and Vincent Blanchard kicked a 15-yard field goal along with two converts.
Defensively, the Elks capitalized on turnovers, converting two of three Bomber fumbles into 10 points. This allowed them to establish an early 17-0 lead midway through the second quarter. Linebacker Joel Dublanko recorded six tackles and one sack, while Brock Mogensen and Chelen Garnes each contributed six tackles. Noah Taylor also made an impact with two tackles and a sack.
Despite their strong start, the Elks faced a challenge when the Blue Bombers nearly completed a comeback. Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros, playing in front of a sellout crowd of 32,343 at Princess Auto Stadium, completed 24 of 33 passes for 290 yards, including touchdown passes of 26 yards to Tim White and 14 yards to Brady Oliveira. Kicker Sergio Castillo made a 53-yard field goal, two converts, and a single point, though he also missed two other field goal attempts.
Blue Bombers’ Turnovers and Injuries
The Blue Bombers’ performance was hampered by turnovers, with Collaros, Oliveira, and Dante Daniels each committing fumbles. Oliveira acknowledged that the team’s mistakes and late rally were insufficient to overcome the deficit. Receiver Nic Demski emphasized the importance of ball security, noting that turnover problems often lead to unfavourable results.
In addition to the turnovers, the Blue Bombers also experienced injuries to receiver Ontaria Wilson and defensive lineman Jake Ceresna. No immediate updates on their conditions were provided after the game.
The Elks, however, maintained their composure even as Winnipeg erased their initial lead and took an 18-17 advantage. Luther stated that the team had been in similar situations before and knew how to focus and execute their assignments to secure the win. Fajardo expressed the team’s desire to change the narrative surrounding the organization, highlighting their 3-0 start as a step in that direction, while acknowledging the long season ahead.
The Elks are scheduled to play their next game against the BC Lions in Vancouver on July 4.
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Source: edmonton.citynews.ca
