In a thrilling match on a chilly evening in Edmonton, the Elks secured a crucial 25-20 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, fueled by two remarkable third-quarter touchdowns and a resilient fourth-quarter defense. Running back Justin Rankin’s impressive 64-yard touchdown run on a third-down opportunity and Kordell Jackson’s 47-yard touchdown after recovering a teammate’s fumble propelled the Elks to triumph in front of 15,013 fans.
Coach Mark Kilam acknowledged the team’s gritty performance, stating, “Not the prettiest at times but finding a way, all three phases finding a way against a good football team.” The win revived Edmonton’s playoff aspirations, as they strive to bounce back from a challenging 1-6 start to the regular season. To secure a playoff spot for the first time since 2019, the Elks must win their remaining two games, including a crucial showdown with the Calgary Stampeders.
With their third victory in five games, the Elks improved their overall record to 7-9 but still occupy the bottom spot in the West Division, trailing the Bombers by just two points. Despite Winnipeg holding a potential tiebreaker due to a previous win, Edmonton could claim it back by defeating Calgary in their upcoming encounter.
Rankin’s explosive touchdown run and Jackson’s opportunistic fumble recovery for a score extended the Elks’ lead, showcasing the team’s resilience and playmaking ability. The game-changing plays, coupled with a stellar defensive effort in the final minutes, sealed the win for Edmonton. Winnipeg’s Brady Oliveira credited the Elks for capitalizing on key moments and acknowledged his team’s lack of cohesive play.
Quarterback stats revealed Cody Fajardo’s efficient performance for Edmonton, completing 13 of 14 passes, while Zach Collaros led Winnipeg with 22 completions out of 34 attempts. Looking ahead, the Blue Bombers will face the Saskatchewan Roughriders, while the Elks are set to visit the B.C. Lions on the same matchday.
The match highlighted the Elks’ determination and ability to make game-changing plays, underscoring their resilience and pursuit of a playoff berth.
