Elks Game Notes 14.0: Edmonton visits Calgary in Labour Day Classic

During their bye week, the Edmonton Elks observed Western Division teams sweep their Eastern counterparts, allowing the club to maintain their first-place position in the West with an 8-3 record. As they enter the final eight weeks of the season, the Elks aim to build on their momentum and secure their first playoff appearance since the franchise rebranding.

Week 14 of the CFL

• Game 1: BC Lions at Montreal Alouettes Friday, September 4: The weekend kicks off with a marquee matchup as the surging Lions take on the league-leading Montreal Alouettes in the first leg of a back-to-back series. Coming off only their second loss of the season, the Alouettes are eager to return to their winning ways.
• Game 2: Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Saskatchewan Roughriders Sunday, September 6: This represents the second back-to-back series of the weekend, carrying significant playoff implications. With the Roughriders holding a two-point lead over the Blue Bombers in the standings, a sweep by either team would all but assure them of a playoff spot. Regardless of the outcome, these two provinces are set to go to war, with the true winners being anyone who loves Canadian football.
• Game 3: Toronto Argonauts at Hamilton Tiger-Cats Monday, September 7: The Argonauts hold a two-point lead over the Tiger-Cats, with both clubs closely monitoring Western Division rivals vying for a crossover playoff spot. The winner will gain a significant advantage in the Eastern standings, helping them stay ahead of the Western threat.
• Game 4: Edmonton Elks at Calgary Stampeders Monday, September 7. Words cannot capture the rich history and tradition of this rivalry; to simply call it a game of football would be an understatement. The standings don’t matter, the stats don’t matter, and friendships don’t matter—today is all about Edmonton, Calgary, and a whole lot of intensity.

The Lead: The Elks have a chance to pull 8 points ahead of the Stampeders and significantly complicate their path to the playoffs, though they face a tough history with a 2-11 record on Labour Day over the last 13 years. Fajardo and the team look to continue their winning ways by sticking to their core identity: playing physical, flying to the ball, and winning the turnover battle. This matchup is set to be a classic, and with the return game scheduled just five days later, the intensity will be at an all-time high. Buckle up—this could be one for the ages.

CFL Leaders Takeaways: Elks category leaders through Week 11 in the CFL:

• Points allowed (25.4/game)
• Opponent yds/play (6.58)
• Opponent pass efficiency (90.1)
• Pass knockdowns (44)
• Interceptions (17)
• Opponent TD Drive percentage (19%)
• Turnovers forced (33)
• Points off turnovers (103)
• Turnover ratio (+14)
• #1 Ranked Defence
• #T6 Ranked Special Teams

The Strategic Matchup: It is a clash between the league’s highest-scoring offence (Calgary, 36.9 pts/game) and the stingiest defence (Edmonton, 25.4 pts/game)—something has to give. The Elks’ success will depend on their ability to establish the run, as controlling the time of possession will keep the potent Stampeder offence on the sideline. On the other hand, the Stampeders must play error-free football, as this Elks team is looking to build on their league lead in forced turnovers and capitalize on any mistakes. This matchup sets the stage for a high-intensity return game in just five days at Commonwealth Stadium.

ElksNation Game Notes

Inside the Numbers                                                                                                                                                   

1296 – This is regular season game 1296 for the Elks (718-559-18…home 410-232-7…road 308-327-11) since 1949 (excludes 1938 & 1938 WIFU seasons)              

• Record vs Calgary 133-109-3 (home 73-48-1…in Calgary 60-61-2)
• Record vs Dave Dickenson Coached Teams 8-16-0 (home 5-7-0, Away 3-9-0, Calgary 8-16-0) 

The last 10 (Regular Season Games)                                                                                                                               .

• Elks are 7-3 in the last 10 games (2 game winning streak) 
• Elks are 4-6 in the last 10 games on the road (1 game losing streak)
• Elks are 5-5 in the last 10 games vs Calgary (1 game losing streak)
• Elks are 3-7 in the last 10 games vs Calgary in Calgary (1 game losing streak)
• Elks are 2-8 in the last 10 games Labour Day Games (1 game losing streak)
• Elks are 6-4 in the last 10 games against Western Division teams (1 game winning streak)

Elks Streaks                                                                                                                                                                        .

7 – Elks have won 7 consecutive games when leading at halftime

– W 42-12 Aug 15, 2026 vs Tor: Halftime Score Edm 11 Tor 9

– W 19-17 Jul 17, 2026 vs BC: Halftime Score Edm 16 BC 7

– W 40-17 Jul 9, 2026 vs Ott: Halftime Score Edm 16 Ott 7

– W 23-18 Jun 25, 2026 at Wpg: Halftime Score Edm 17 Wpg 7

– W 20-21 Jun 6, 2026 at Ott: Halftime Score Edm 13 Ott 10

– W 25-20 Oct 11, 2025 vs Wpg: Halftime Score Edm 11 Wpg 10

– W 27-25 Sep 27, 2025 vs Sask: Halftime Score Edm 11 Sask 3

9 – Elks have won 9 consecutive games when leading after 3 quarters

– W 42-12 Aug 15, 2026 vs Tor: 3^rd Qtr Score Edm 24 Tor 12

– W 36-34 Jul 23, 2026 at Sask: 3^rd Qtr Score Edm 27 Sask 21        

– W 19-17 Jul 17, 2026 vs BC: 3^rd Qtr Score Edm 19 BC 7

– W 40-17 Jul 9, 2026 vs Ott: 3^rd Qtr Score Edm 16 Ott 14

– W 23-18 Jun 25, 2026 at Wpg: 3^rd Qtr Score Edm 17 Wpg 11

        – W 32-29 OT Jun 20, 2026 vs Mtl: 3^rd Qtr Score Edm 20 Mtl 13

        – W 29-21 Jun 6, 2026 at Ott: 3^rd Qtr Score Edm 19 Ott 10

        – W 25-20 Oct 11, 2025 vs Wpg: 3^rd Qtr Score Edm 25 Wpg 13

        – W 27-25 Sep 27, 2025 vs Sask: 3^rd Qtr Score Edm 

8 – Elks have won 8 consecutive games when Justin Rankin rushes for 100+ yds

– W 40-17 Jul 9, 2026 vs Ott: 14 for 107 yds, 2 TD

– W 23-18 Jun 25, 2026 at Wpg: 15 for 106 yds, 1 TD

– W 32-29 OT Jun 20, 2026 vs Mtl: 18 for 179 yds, 2 TD

– W 29-21 Jun 6, 2026 at Ott: 13 for 102 yds, 1 TD

– W 25-20 Oct 11, 2025 vs Wpg: 18 for 138 yds, 1 TD

– W 31-19 Sep 6, 2025 vs Cgy: 16 for 204 yds, 2 TD

– W 39-33 Jul 6 2025 vs Ott: 12 for 105 yds, 1 TD

– W 23-18 Oct 12 2024 at Cgy: 10 for 140 yds, 1 TD 

4 – The Elks have won 4 consecutive games when TOP is 35:00+ minutes

– W 42-12 Aug 15, 2026 vs Tor: 37:40

– W 29-21 Jun 6, 2026 at Ott: 35:20

– W 33-16 Aug 11/2024 vs BC: 35:39

– W 30-20 Aug 27, 2023 vs Ott: 35:58

13 – Cody Fajardo has passed for a TD in 13 consecutive games. He is 8-5-0 with 20 TDs & 10 Ints. His personal best is 16 games (including playoffs – 13 in regular season games only)

8 – The Elks defence has had an interception in 8 consecutive games

Did You Know….                                                                                                                                                                 .

– The Elks are 27-30-1 on Labour Day. 

– After the 1^st quarter: 16-2-0 with lead, 4-4-0 when tied, 7-24-1 when losing

– After the 2^nd quarter: 19-5-1 with lead, 4-0-0 when tied, 4-25-0 when losing 

– After the 3^rd quarter: 22-1-0 with lead, 1-1-0 when tied, 4-28-1 when losing 

– The 1998 game vs Winnipeg had Dwayne Provo with a 49 yd pick-6

– Edmonton is 2-5-0 in the LD Classic on Sept 7

– Edmonton won the first Labour day Classic 16-10 in 1959 after losing 2 nights earlier 16-10 against the Bombers

– Edmonton has 17 days off since their last game. They are 1-1 in the LD Classic when having 19 days off (win in 2011, loss in 2006). The longest time between games is 18 and won in 2021

Review of Elks of last game                                                                                                                                          .                                                                                                               

Winnipeg at Edmonton – August 21, 2026 – Blue Bombers 19 – Elks 22 

6 – The visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers dominate the 1^st half of play but only come away with a 16-6 lead at halftime while possessing the ball for 22:53 of the 2 quarters. The Elks adjustments worked at halftime as they flipped the scrip and took a late 19-16 lead late into the 4^th quarter and Vincent Blanchard, for the 2^nd time this season, hits a walk off field goal wo win 22-19. The Elks also accomplished something they hadn’t done in 52 years….not take a penalty 

6 – Austin Mack had 6 receptions for 68 yds

7 – T.J. Luther had 7 receptions for 85 yds

2 – Joshua Cephus had 2 receptions for 17 yds

141 – Justin Rankin had 19 carries for 93 yds, 4 receptions for 48 yds

259 – Cody Fajardo went 20/32 for 259 passing yards with 1 TD, 1 Int

46 – Javon Leake had 4 punt returns for 46 yds

7 – Joel Dublanko led the team with 7 defensive tackles

2 – Leonard Johnson, D.K. Bonhomme & Richard Jibunor each had 2 special teams tackles

1 – Kordell Jackson & Noah Taylor each had a sack. 

29:01 – Elks had the ball for 29:01 (by Qtr: (1) 2:23 (2) 4:44 (3) 11:35 (4) 10:19).

3 – Vincent Blanchard was 3/3 in FG Attempts and 1/1 in converts.

Review of Elks and Stampeders  in 2025                                                                                                                     .   

***LABOUR DAY CLASSIC*** Edmonton at Calgary – September 1, 2025 – Stampeders 28 – Elks 7 

2 – This game was far from a classic. Both teams were in the red zone 3 times combined. The Elks turned their two red zone visits into 2 fumbles while the Stampeders turned their lone visit into a TD. The Stampeders also had an 86 yd punt return for a TD by Erik Brooks in the third quarter that put the Stamps up by 13 and they never looked back. 

3 – Kurleigh Gittens Jr. had 3 receptions for 46 yds

7 – Arkell Smith had 7 receptions for 81 yds

96 – Justin Rankin had 13 carries for 48 yds, 5 receptions for 48 yds 

255 – Cody Fajardo went 21/33 for 255 passing yards with 0 TD, 0 Int 

110 – Javon Leake had 4 punt returns for 32 yds, 3 kickoff returns for 78 yds 

7 – Royce Metchie led the team with 7 defensive tackles

1 – Elks had 5 players with 1 special team tackle

0 – The Elks had no sacks 

30:54 – Elks had the ball for 30:54 (by Qtr: (1) 7:10 (2) 8:13 (3) 10:55 (4) 4:36).

2 – Vincent Blanchard was 2/32 in FG Attempts and 0/0 in converts.

***LABOUR DAY RETURN (LDR) GAME *** Calgary at Edmonton – September 6, 2025 – Stampeders 19 – Elks 31 

14 – The Stampeders continued where the left off from the Labour Day Classic and got out to a 9-4 first quarter lead. From that point on, the Justin Rankin show took over as he ran for a 90 yd TD and a 31 yd TD in the second quarter and ran for 204 yds. 

5 – Kaion Julien-Grant had 5 receptions for 48 yds for 1 TD

4 – O.J. Hiliare had 4 receptions for 51 yds

204 – Justin Rankin had 16 carries for 204 yds for 2 TD, 0 reception for 0 yds

153 – Cody Fajardo went 16/21 for 153 passing yards with 1 TD, 0 Int 

152– Javon Leake had 3 punt return for 10 yds, 3 kickoff returns for 56 yds, 1 missed field goal return for 86 yds 

6 – Joel Dublanko led the team with 6 defensive tackles

2 – Kenneth Logan Jr. led Elks players with 2 special team tackles

2 – Jonathan Kongbo had 2 sacks 

30:16 – Elks had the ball for 30:16 (by Qtr: (1) 6:06 (2) 7:02 (3) 10:11 (4) 6:57).

3 – Vincent Blanchard was 3/3 in FG Attempts and 3/3 in converts.

Calgary at Edmonton – October 14, 2025 – Stampeders 20 – Elks 10 

20 – In the final regular season game of the year, the Stampeders control the game and take a 16-0 halftime lead to a 20-10 victory. The Elks commit 4 turnovers and the Stampeders score 13 points in 4 visits to the red zone. 

6 – O.J. Hiliare had 6 receptions for 86 yds

4 – Jalon Calhoun had 4 receptions for 68 yds for 1 TD

47 – Justin Rankin had 9 carries for 1 yds, 3 reception for 46 yds

272 – Cody Fajardo went 20/27 for 272 passing yards with 1 TD, 1 Int 

49 – Javon Leake had 4 punt returns for 12 yds, 2 kickoff returns for 37 yds 

8 – Chelen Garnes led the team with 8 defensive tackles

2 – Jacob Plamondon led Elks players with 2 special team tackles

2 – Kenneth Logan Jr. had 2 sacks 

27:35 – Elks had the ball for 27:35 (by Qtr: (1) 7:39 (2) 4:30 (3) 7:13 (4) 8:31).

1 – Vincent Blanchard was 1/2 in FG Attempts and 1/1 in converts.

Season Series:     STAMPEDERS 2     –     ELKS 1

Elks Records vs Calgary                                                                                                                                                   .

Elks Records vs Calgary  on Labour Day                                                                                                                         .

Elks Milestones                                                                                                                                                                 .

4– Justin Rankin needs 4 rushes to tie Neil Lumsden for 18^th on the EE All-Time Rushes List (429)

77 – Justin Rankin needs 77 rushing yards to tie Mike Pringle for 13^th on the EE All-Time Rushing Yards List (2646)

93 – Justin Rankin needs 93 rushing yards to tie Ricky Ray for 12^th on the EE All-Time Rushing Yards List (2662)

2 – Justin Rankin needs 2 rushing TDs to tie Neil Lumsden for 12^th on the EE All-Time Rush TD List (24)

23 – Javon Leake needs 23 punt return yards to tie Gregg Butler for 11^th on the EE All-Time Punt Return Yards List (1623) 

37 – Javon Leake needs 37 punt return yards to tie Emilio Fraietta for 10^th on the EE All-Time Punt Return Yards List (1637)

16 – Javon Leake needs 16 punt returns to tie Kendial Lawrence for 15^th on the EE All-Time Punt Returns List (155)

1 – Javon Leake needs 1 punt return TD to tie Tony Tompkins, Tristan Jackson & Eddie Brown for 3^rd on the EE All-Time Punt Return TDs List (3)

2 – Javon Leake needs 2 punt return TDs to tie Winston October for 2^nd on the EE All-Time Punt Return TDs List (4)

105 – Javon Leake needs 105 kickoff return yards to tie Tony Tompkins for 5^th on the EE All-Time Kickoff Yards List (2489)

2 – Javon Leake needs 2 kickoff returns to tie Tristan Jackson for 7^th on the EE All-Time Kickoff Returns List (109)

3 – Javon Leake needs 3 kickoff returns to tie Stephen Jones for 6^th on the EE All-Time Kickoff Returns List (110)

2– Vincent Blanchard needs 2 points to tie Mike Reilly for 22^nd on the EE All-Time Scoring List (278)

18– Vincent Blanchard needs 18 points to tie Fred Stamps for 21^st on the EE All-Time Scoring List (294)

2026 Elks Leaders                                                                                                                                                              .                                                                                                                                                                     

Justin Rankin                                                                                                                                                               .

The Receivers                                                                                                                                                                 .

Cody Fajardo                                                                                                                                                                      , 

Cody Fajardo Milestones                                                                                                                                                   .

94 – Cody Fajardo needs 94 passing attempts for 3000 Career Passing Attempts (3000)

226 – Cody Fajardo needs 226 passing yards for 25,000 Career Passing Yards (25,000)

419 – Cody Fajardo needs 419 passing yards to tie Condredge Holloway for 22^nd on CFL All-Time Career Passing Yards List (25,193)

Vincent Blanchard                                                                                                                                                               .                     

Defensive Breakdown                                                                                                                                                          .