The Edmonton Elks’ undefeated 3-0 run to start the 2026 CFL season hit an abrupt stop on Saturday night as the team lost 36-24 to the B.C. Lions.
Turnovers were a major issue for the Elks, keeping the score close heading into the second half, but three interceptions from quarterback Cody Fajardo and a Justin Rankin fumble were costly.
Let’s get into the recap.
Edmonton Elks Week 5 recap
The first half
Despite its moments of high-flying, back-and-forth action, the first two drives of the game had none, as the Elks and Lions traded punts.
But then, the Lions came alive, marching 46 yards down the field before short-yard QB Zander Horvath punched in a one-yard touchdown.
While the Elks would punt on their second drive, the Lions’ time with the ball was short-lived. Nathan Rourke would fire a pass over the middle on the field from their own 20, trying to find Horvath, but linebacker Joel Dublanko laid a punishing hit as soon as the receiver got his hands on the ball. Making his first start in the CFL, linebacker Dariel Djabome, drafted third overall by the team in the 2026 draft, was there to grab the airborne ball.
Two plays later, Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo would find receiver Kaion Julien-Grant for a seven-yard touchdown, but Vincent Blanchard’s extra point attempt would go wide, making it a 7-6 game.
The Lions would kick a field goal on their final drive of the first quarter, while the Elks’ drive would carry over into the second, taking advantage of a 40-yard defensive pass interference penalty, eventually setting up another touchdown strike to Julien-Grant, giving the Elks a 14-10 lead.
But that would be the last time they led in the game, as the Lions put together touchdown drives on their first two of the second quarter, with Lions running back punching in three- and four-yard touchdowns to take a 23-14 lead.
Fajardo’s first of three interceptions came on the next drive, when a 20-yard pass intended for running back Justin Rankin was deflected right into the hands of Lions defender Jackson Findlay. The Lions would kick a field goal to make it 26-14.
Fajardo would fare better on Edmonton’s subsequent drive, marching 33 yards before firing a 24 yard pass to Austin Mack in the endzone to make it 26-21. A Lions field goal would end the first half, giving them a 29-21 lead.
The second half
Things wouldn’t start strong in the second half for the Elks, as after receiving the opening kickoff, Fajardo would overthrow Julien-Grant, and put it right in the hands of Lions defensive back Ronald Kent Jr.
On the Elks’ third drive of the second half, it was another turnover, as Rankin would gain eight yards on a draw play, only to get the ball stripped. It would leave the Lions on their own 31-yard line, marching 73 yards down the field before Rourke found Horvath seven yards down field for a touchdown, making it 36-21.
While the Elks would kick a field goal on their first possession of the fourth quarter, making it 36-24, but that would mark the final score of the game.
Next up
The 3-1 Elks will host the Ottawa Redblacks Thursday night for Week 6 action.
