And just like that, the Edmonton Elks’ 2026 regular season has come to a close.
There’s still football to be played, however, as the team earned a berth to the West Division Final, punching their ticket last week with a win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The win secured them first place in the West for the first time since 2015, when they finished 14-4.
But before the Elks got there, they needed to cap off their regular season, which they did Saturday afternoon in a 16-9 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
It was a game in which the Elks were able to rest over a dozen starters. Notably, quarterback Cody Fajardo got the day off, allowing Taylor Powell, who the team signed in free agency last year, to get his first start in the green and gold. Powell would complete 26 of 30 passes for 236 yards.
Among those getting the night off were running back Justin Rankin, starting guards Carter O’Donnell and Coulter Woodmansey, as well as receiver Austin Mack. Reciever Kaion Julien-Grant, meanwhile, played but in a backup role. Defensively, none of edge rushers Mailk Carney and Noah Taylor, defensive tackle Jared Brinkman, linebackers Nick Anderson and Joel Dublanko, cornerbacks J.J. Ross and Tyrell Ford, and. safety Chelen Garnes played.
With Rankin out of the lineup, breakout running back and return specialist ShunDerrick Powell carried the load, gaining 101 rushing yards on 11 carries, catching three passes for an additional 40 yards, while Javon Leake had six carries for 35 yards, catching four passes for an additional 32 yards.
The Elks would get on the board early, as short-yardage quarterback Cole Snyder punched in a one-yard rushing touchdown, and the only other points the team put up were from a 24-yard Vincent Blanchard field goal with 26 seconds left in the game.
The Roughriders would get on the board with a Brett Lauther field goal with 13:30 left in the second quarter, before short-yardage quarterback Tommy Stevens punched in a one-yard rushing touchdown with 2:53 left in the first half, giving them a 9-6 lead they wouldn’t look back on. Stevens would add another one-yard rushing touchdown with 12:49 left in the fourth quarter, and punter Oscar Chapman added a rogue for the 16th point with 3:40 left in the game.
Edmonton won’t play until the West Division final, and will face the winner of the Western Semi-Final between the Roughriders and the B.C. Lions.
