The Edmonton Elks are not only relevant again, but they are the best team in the CFL right now. The Elks improved to 6-1 after a thrilling 36-34 victory in Saskatchewan last night.
Vincent Blanchard hit a career-high 57-yard field goal on the last play of the game to seal the victory. Blanchard’s bomb landed near the back of the end zone and would have been good from 65 yards.
The Elks, including head coach Mark Kilam, flooded the field, jumping up and down, hooting and hollering as they embraced Blanchard and lifted him onto their shoulders. It was a scene Green and Gold fans haven’t experienced in years.
The EE is back.
It was an electrifying victory and easily the most exciting game in the CFL this season, which is saying a lot, because there have been some amazing games.
Quarterback Cody Fajardo was outstanding. He was 25-for-32 for 510 yards and four touchdowns. The Elks offense instilled a deep passing threat repeatedly for the first time this season.
Fajardo completed passes of 81, 68, 57, 37, 27, 23, and 21 yards. He had 289 yards passing through the air and 221 YAC (yards after catch). Edmonton throws the ball deep and down the seams frequently. We hadn’t seen them attack a defence like that all year.
Sports are supposed to be entertaining, and that game was a 60-minute rollercoaster ride of lead changes and big play after big play.
Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris completed 26-of-36 passes for 386 yards and four touchdowns. He completed passes of 56, 45, 37, 24, 23, and 23 yards. He just wasn’t able to connect on as many massive plays as Fajardo.
Both teams moved the ball, mainly through the air, and both struggled on the ground.
Edmonton had 43 combined yards rushing, with Justin Rankin rumbling for 39 yards on 12 carries. Saskatchewan had 69 rushing yards, with AJ Ouellette carrying the rock 12 times for 52 yards. His longest run was 11 yards, while Rankin’s was nine.
Both offences decided to attack through the air, and that made the game must-watch TV. The rematch on Saturday, August 1st in Edmonton should be a dandy. It will have the biggest crowd of the season at Commonwealth, and they might surpass 30,000. Last year, when the Riders played in Edmonton, the crowd was 30,053, and Edmonton didn’t have the best record in the CFL at the time.
The Elks are for real. They are entertaining, and they can win high-scoring or low-scoring games. Their defence dominated last week in their 19-17 victory over BC, and last night the offence carried them to a thrilling 36-34 victory.
The Elks haven’t had a winning season since 2018 (10-8) and they haven’t hosted a home playoff game since 2015, the last time they won the Grey Cup, but a 6-1 start has them in a great spot to have a winning season and host a playoff game.
After many disappointing seasons, the Elks have given their fans reasons to be proud again.
CHIP SHOTS…
— Fajardo became the 4th Edmonton quarterback to pass for 500 yards in a game. He was one yard shy of tying Mike Reilly for most in a road game.
555 – Warren Moon, October 15th, 1983, v. Montreal.
540 – Jason Maas, July 30th, 2004, v. Winnipeg.
522 – Warren Moon, September 11th, 1983, v. Hamilton.
511 – Mike Reilly, August 18th, 2013, at Toronto.
510 – Cody Fajardo, July 23rd, 2026, at Saskatchewan.
— Fajardo became the fourth QB in CFL history with 500+ passing yards, four+ touchdown passes, and zero interceptions in the same game. He joined Danny Barrett (1993), Jason Maas (2004), and Tobin Rote (1960).
— Fajardo’s previous career high in passing yards was 430, set in 2019. What a performance.
— Rookie receiver TJ Luther had the best game of his young career with 10 catches for 157 yards. He was Fajardo’s main target. Luther’s previous best was five catches and 67 yards.
— Brett Boyko played his first game of the season last night and lined up at left guard in place of the injured Carter O’Donnell. Boyko had a solid game. O’Donnell is expected to return to the lineup next Saturday, and we could see Boyko move to right guard.
— If you want to go to the rematch on Saturday, I’d recommend getting tickets now. Last year had just over 30K at the Riders/Elks game on a Saturday. This year, after last night’s game, I’d expect more this year. Get your tickets here (Edmonton Elks Tickets – Edmonton Elks)
