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National Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Edmonton Elks dodge self-inflicted bullet to earn first win of season
And it came in a crucial week where both the B.C. Lions and Calgary Stampeders looked to start pulling away in the standings, breathing — dare we say — a little life into the upstart Elks? It marked the first win of many more to come in the head-coaching career of the freshly minted Mark Kilam, who came aboard following an unheard-of 17-year entrenchment as an assistant coach with the same club (don't hold it against him that it was the rival Stampeders). So, he must be doing something right. And now he is being tasked with steering the turnaround in Edmonton alongside newly repatriated general manager Ed Hervey, all the while reminding themselves of the prime directive: Win. Or at least don't embarrass their already gun-shy fanbase in the pursuit of victory. But the gun with which past EE iterations shot themselves in the foot on far too many occasions ended up coming dangerously close to coming out of its holster again against Ottawa. To set the scene, the Elks exploded to an impressive 22-3 lead midway through the second quarter with their fastest, best and most efficient start in a good long while, looking like they were well on their way to running up the score against an outmatched opponent. And, truth be told, that would have been exactly what the doctor ordered to help begin curing the malaise that's ran rampant in the seats at Commonwealth Stadium. The empty ones, at least. Things were going so well, it was almost too good to be true. At that moment, the Elks opted for a quarterback change in order to get Cody Fajardo some much needed game action. Remember him? He's only two years removed from being named Grey Cup MVP with the Montreal Alouettes and was brought in to help along the development of young Tre Ford — who completed a career-best 15-of-17 passes with two touchdowns. Now, obviously Fajardo both deserves and needs some snaps. And the sooner they come in the season, the better for the team down the road. But instead of tightening their grip on an already suffocating opponent in the closest thing there could be to a must-win game in the first week of July, the Elks let go. Just a little, mind you. But it was all the wiggle room the Redblacks needed, answering back with a touchdown before forcing a 2-and-out that they returned to the end zone to make it a one-score game heading into halftime. In the blink of an eye. Fortunately for these Elks, they showed they are no longer 'those' Elks and didn't blow a commanding lead by taking their foot off the gas, even if it was just a little. Instead, they regained control of the would-be runaway train and held onto that one-score lead, much to the relief of those in attendance who got to celebrate a hard-fought home victory. Even if it was far from the blowout it had been shaping up to be. At this point in the proceedings, no win is a bad win in Edmonton. There is such a thing as a bad loss, however. And these Elks just gained some ground in the ongoing race to outrun their former selves by avoiding one. On Twitter: @GerryModdejonge
CTV News
4 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Elks look to end winless run, set tone for the rest of the season against Redblacks
Edmonton Elks quarterback Tre Ford (2) looks for a receiver during first half CFL action against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Winnipeg Thursday, June 26, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods Edmonton Elks quarterback Tre Ford still believes in his team's ability to set the tone for this season. The Elks (0-3) are looking for their first victory when they host the Ottawa Redblacks (1-3) Sunday at Commonwealth Stadium. All three of Edmonton's losses have come by double-digit margins. 'It's still early in the season so we can still set the tone,' said Ford. 'This one's going to be really big. I don't like to use the must-win term, but I think it's definitely one we need.' His twin brother, cornerback Tyrell, said he's not worried about the team being winless. 'I'm pretty sure last year in Winnipeg we started like 1-4, so I'm not worried,' he said. 'Once we all get together and play a full 60 minutes we're going to be tough to beat.' The problem has been playing those 60 minutes. The fourth quarters, in particular, have been costly for the struggling Elks. In losses to the B.C. Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Elks were outscored 27-7 in the fourth quarters. Although they outscored the Montreal Alouettes 22-10 in the final quarter, it wasn't enough to get a win in Week 2. 'It's where this team needs to grow,' Elks head coach Mark Kalim said of the fourth quarter. 'That's where we need all three sides of the football and somebody needs to step up and make the plays we need to win games. 'We need to find ways to make plays late in the game. That's what good teams do to win.' Linebacker Josiah Schakel pointed to the final six minutes of their 36-23 loss to Winnipeg last week, when they were outscored 10-0 as a good example of the team's late-game problems. 'We can't play 55 minutes and then lose in the last five minutes. We have to make sure that the way we start is the way we finish. And don't make mental mistakes in key moments in the game.' One of the big challenges for the Elks will be trying to stop Ottawa quarterback Dru Brown, who is looking for a record-breaking fourth straight 400-plus-yard passing game. After throwing for 413 yards and two touchdowns in the Redblacks' Week 1 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Brown missed three games with a hip injury. 'He's a gunslinger, he believes in his arm and he's going to throw the ball deep,' said Tyrell Ford. 'I know he wants to get that record for the 400 yards, but I think we're ready for him.' Linebacker Nick Anderson backed up Ford's comments, adding that Brown has 'great confidence in where he can fit the ball. A lot of times he tries to fit the ball in tight windows because he has great receivers who can make the catches.' However, Anderson added that because Brown throws often and likes to extend plays by scrambling, he also creates the opportunity for interceptions. 'We don't have any interceptions yet, so looking to get our hands on one of these for sure,' he said. The Elks, who ended a record 22-game home losing streak late last season, are eager for a win to take off the pressure that's sure to build if they don't win. 'There's definitely pressure but there's always pressure to perform well,' said Tre Ford. 'Obviously 0-3 is not the way you want to start but, not to make excuses, but we've had a tough schedule. 'There's always pressure on the quarterback position, but I don't think it's anymore than it has been. You go out and play well everybody loves you. You go out and play bad, everybody hates you. That's how it goes.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 5, 2025. John Korobanik, The Canadian Press
CBC
4 days ago
- Sport
- CBC
Edmonton Elks look to end skid against Ottawa, right ship for rest of season
Edmonton Elks quarterback Tre Ford still believes in his team's ability to set the tone for this season. The Elks (0-3) are looking for their first victory when they host the Ottawa Redblacks (1-3) Sunday at Commonwealth Stadium. All three of Edmonton's losses have come by double-digit margins. "It's still early in the season so we can still set the tone," said Ford. "This one's going to be really big. I don't like to use the must-win term, but I think it's definitely one we need." His twin brother, cornerback Tyrell, said he's not worried about the team being winless. "I'm pretty sure last year in Winnipeg we started like 1-4, so I'm not worried," he said. "Once we all get together and play a full 60 minutes we're going to be tough to beat." The problem has been playing those 60 minutes. The fourth quarters, in particular, have been costly for the struggling Elks. In losses to the B.C. Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Elks were outscored 27-7 in the fourth quarters. Although they outscored the Montreal Alouettes 22-10 in the final quarter, it wasn't enough to get a win in Week 2. "It's where this team needs to grow," Elks head coach Mark Kalim said of the fourth quarter. "That's where we need all three sides of the football and somebody needs to step up and make the plays we need to win games. "We need to find ways to make plays late in the game. That's what good teams do to win." Linebacker Josiah Schakel pointed to the final six minutes of their 36-23 loss to Winnipeg last week, when they were outscored 10-0 as a good example of the team's late-game problems. "We can't play 55 minutes and then lose in the last five minutes. We have to make sure that the way we start is the way we finish. And don't make mental mistakes in key moments in the game." One of the big challenges for the Elks will be trying to stop Ottawa quarterback Dru Brown, who is looking for a record-breaking fourth straight 400-plus-yard passing game. After throwing for 413 yards and two touchdowns in the Redblacks' Week 1 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Brown missed three games with a hip injury. "He's a gunslinger, he believes in his arm and he's going to throw the ball deep," said Tyrell Ford. "I know he wants to get that record for the 400 yards, but I think we're ready for him." Linebacker Nick Anderson backed up Ford's comments, adding that Brown has "great confidence in where he can fit the ball. A lot of times he tries to fit the ball in tight windows because he has great receivers who can make the catches." However, Anderson added that because Brown throws often and likes to extend plays by scrambling, he also creates the opportunity for interceptions. "We don't have any interceptions yet, so looking to get our hands on one of these for sure," he said. The Elks, who ended a record 22-game home losing streak late last season, are eager for a win to take off the pressure that's sure to build if they don't win. "There's definitely pressure but there's always pressure to perform well," said Tre Ford. "Obviously 0-3 is not the way you want to start but, not to make excuses, but we've had a tough schedule.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Edmonton Elks fill food bank hampers ahead of Purolator food drive
Purolator employees and Edmonton Elks' members are seen at the Edmonton Food Bank on July 3, 2025, preparing for the Purolator Tackle Hunger Game Day Food Drive. (CTV News Edmonton/Darcy Seaton) Members of the Edmonton Elks put down the football in exchange for non-perishable food items Thursday as they helped the food bank prepare for the Purolator Tackle Hunger Game Day Food Drive. The drive is taking place July 6 at Commonwealth Stadium, where the Elks will take on the Ottawa Redblacks. Last year, the game day food drive saw fans raise nearly 24,000 pounds of food for the Edmonton Food Bank. 'This is huge for us,' said Tamisan Bencz-Knight, manager of strategic relations and partnerships with Edmonton's Food Bank. 'The Edmonton Football Club was the first football team to support a food bank across the country. Originally, back in the 1980s, the drive was called 'Be a Fan, Bring a Can: Tackle Hunger.' Canadian courier Purolator took on the initiative over 20 years ago to bring the program across the country. Since then, the food drive has delivered over 25 million pounds of food nationally. elks food bank Tamisan Bencz-Knight is seen at the Edmonton Food Bank on July 3, 2025. (CTV News Edmonton/Darcy Seaton) 'Not only are we able to stock some shelves because of the volume of need here, but we're able to raise some money and have a good time while we're at it,' said Bencz-Knight. Bencz-Knight said 41,000 people a month came to the food bank last year. This year, they're seeing 43,000 on average. She said in 1996, their average was about 19,500 people – which was a lot at the time. 'Our numbers keep going up,' said Bencz-Knight. 'We have to continuously bring in food and funds to be able to serve the community. We're not government-funded, and it's events like this – the players, the staff, the teams – that are out there helping us do our work.' She added that such events during the summer time are especially important as people mostly feel generous around the holidays. People can bring donations to the Elks' game Sunday at 7 p.m. or you can make a monetary donation here or through the Edmonton Food Bank. With files from CTV News Edmonton's Darcy Seaton.
CTV News
19-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Elks face strong Alouettes squad in season home-opener
Edmonton Elks quarterback Tre Ford throws the ball against the B.C. Lions during the first half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, June 7, 2025. It's early in the Canadian Football League season, and the Edmonton Elks have played just one game and already taken a bye week, but another sizable challenge awaits the new-look Commonwealth Stadium inhabitants. The Montreal Alouettes look primed for domination from their perch atop the East Division – again, it's early – given their sterling team statistics through two weeks of the 2025 CFL campaign. They come calling on the Elks Thursday night (7 p.m.) at Commonwealth Stadium, almost two weeks after Edmonton lost their season-opening game to the B.C. Lions. With the pigskin, the 2-0 Als rank: 2nd in average yards rushing (131) behind Winnipeg (201); Tied for 2nd in first downs (44); 3rd in average yards per play (7.27); and 4th in net offence (average 396 yards) behind Winnipeg (438), B.C. (428) and Calgary (400). The Als are seventh in average passing yards (274.5), but the Elks are last in that category (178 yards). Through two games, starting Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander has thrown for 549 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, and completing 42 of 58 of his passes (72%) for a 99.0 passer rating. Alouettes vs. Argonauts Montreal Alouettes defensive back Tiawan Mullen (32) tackles Toronto Argonauts wide receiver DaVaris Daniels (80) during first half CFL action in Montreal on Friday, June 6, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press) But it's on defence where the Als are dominant through two weeks of the schedule. Without the football, they rank: 1st in offensive points allowed per game (13.5); 1st in net offence against (255.5 yards); 1st in yards per play (5.21); 1st in rushing yards against (37); and 2nd to the Lions is passing yards allowed per game (241.5). The Elks, meanwhile, have just one week of statistics to show for the season so far thanks to its bye last week. And in their lone game so far – a 31-14 Lions' win over them in Week 1 on June 7 – the Elks struggled to find their footing on both sides of the ball, especially as the game went on. Lions vs. Elks Edmonton Elks quarterback Tre Ford (2) is stopped by B.C. Lions' Mathieu Betts (90) and Kemoko Turay (58) during the second half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, June 7, 2025. (ETHAN CAIRNS/THE CANADIAN PRESS) B.C. quarterback Nathan Rourke threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns in the West Division showdown at Vancouver's B.C. Place Stadium, while the Lions' offence feasted on the Elks' defence, collecting 446 yards in net offence – a stat that puts Edmonton last in the nine-team circuit in that category – on 324 yards passing and 124 yards rushing. Offensively, Elks quarterback Tre Ford threw for 178 yards and an interception, and added 54 yards rushing of his team's 87. Both Elks touchdowns came from short-yardage plunges by backup QB Cody Fajardo. By game's end, the Elks put up 248 yards in net offence. One of Elks head coach Mark Killam's primary concerns lies on the defensive side, telling media on Wednesday 'finishing has got to be front and centre' for the unit against the Alouettes given its time spent on the field vs. the Lions two weeks ago. 'We played a good first half, but we were on the field for a long time, some long drives – seven-, eight-, 10-play drives in the second half,' Killam, who's in his first year guiding the Elks, said after the pre-game walk-through at Commonwealth Stadium. 'We've got to get off the field.' Lions vs. Elks Edmonton Elks' Leonard Johnson (32) stops B.C. Lions' Jermaine Jackson (13) during the second half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, June 7, 2025. (ETHAN CAIRNS/THE CANADIAN PRESS) With the ball, Elks offensive lineman Mark Korte said establishing the rush early is something players are focused on to try to establish a rhythm. He said the run game wasn't 'staying on schedule on first down' and was therefore unable to 'consistently run the ball well early in the game, so then it gets harder for a play-caller to come back to it.' 'When you run early and it doesn't go well, then throughout the course of the game, it can get difficult,' said the 28-year-old Korte, a seven-year CFL veteran and Spruce Grove native. 'One of our points of emphasis is being able to run the ball well early, be on schedule on first down, getting us into second and manageable situations. 'I think that's big for us.' Lions vs. Elks Edmonton Elks' quarterback Cody Fajardo, top, tries to score a touchdown against the B.C. Lions during the second half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, June 7, 2025. (ETHAN CAIRNS/THE CANADIAN PRESS) Full-sized fire truck returns for home-opener They're going large. Large fire truck, that is. The Elks are bringing back the original, full-sized version of the team-hued fire truck that drives on the track around the field after touchdowns. A smaller version of the truck had been used the last few seasons, which Evan Daum, the Elks' vice-president of marketing and fan experience, said had been used since 2019. He said the original one 'has been refurbished, so it's historically accurate in terms of what it looks like, and we've made some mechanical upgrades so it's a little bit easier to drive.' 'We know how much the fans enjoy it,' Daum told CTV News Edmonton on Wednesday. 'We're looking forward to coming out and having some firefighters on there doing their thing.' Also on tap for Thursday's opener are pyrotechnics, including in places around the stadium they haven't before been used, an in-house band, more Kids Zone features and an enhanced tailgating experience that includes upgrades to the beer garden, better seating and more signage, Daum said. With files from CTV News Edmonton's Dave Mitchell
