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CTV News
7 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Different herd of Elks ready to welcome B.C. Lions to Edmonton on Sunday
B.C. Lions' Keon Hatcher Sr. (4) is stopped by Edmonton Elks' Nyles Morgan (45) and Royce Metchie (9) during the second half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, June 7, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns It will be a different, much improved and more confident Edmonton Elks team awaiting the B.C. Lions on Sunday. Edmonton lost to the Lions 31-14 in Vancouver in Week 1 of the Canadian Football League season. But middle linebacker Nyles Morgan said that, five weeks later, the Elks are a different team. 'We're night and day, a lot more together, a lot more locked in,' said Morgan. 'Been in the system a lot longer and everyone's a lot more comfortable playing with one another.' That showed last Sunday when Edmonton beat the Ottawa Redblacks 39-33 for their first win after three losses. 'We're a completely different team, different attitude, different M.O., moving in a better direction,' said running back Justin Rankin, who had a 74-yard touchdown included in his 105 rushing yards against Ottawa. The Elks scored a season-high 39 points, Tre Ford had a perfect quarterback rating of 156.3, and the team had points in every quarter for the first time. Amazing what one victory can do for a team's morale. 'We're figuring out what we're good at and what we're not good at,' said wide receiver Steven Dunbar Jr. 'Guys are understanding the offence a little better, understanding their role. We've kind of got more security as far as the offensive line, they're more cohesive. 'Overall, we're playing better in all three phases of the game.' Defensive tackle Jake Ceresna said that all Edmonton has to do now is go out on Sunday and prove it. Focus on Rourke To that end, part of the focus this week has been on how to deal with quarterback Nathan Rourke, whose arm and legs were a key part of the Lions success in Game 1. 'It's really key to keep him in the pocket, but also get pressure on him so he feels uncomfortable because he is a great passer from the pocket too,' said Ceresna. 'We need to make him uncomfortable all night, make it easier on our DBs, and get some sacks. We need sacks.' There's not much difference between the two young Canadian quarterbacks who have shown they can beat defences via the air or by their own scrambling ability. Ford has completed 78 of 109 passes for 950 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. Rourke is 61 of 99 passes for 925 yards, five TDs and three interceptions. Scrambling, Rourke has run 19 times for 155 yards (8.2 average) and two touchdowns. Ford has run only 12 times for 105 yards (8.8 average) and one TD. Containing quarterbacks So much of the focus by both team's defences will be on containing the quarterbacks. 'Getting sacks, getting hits, getting pressure, affecting him in every possible way we can,' defensive end Brandon Barlow said of plans to stop Rourke. 'Obviously getting him on the ground and getting the ball out is the most ideal.' That, he said, always start with the defensive line. 'We're the point of the spear, metaphonically speaking, so everything starts with us. We're the ones that are first to the punch and we want to make sure we're getting knockbacks and setting the tone.' The Elks also need a win to even the season series with the 2-3 Lions. Statistically the teams have each scored 104 points while the Lions have given up 132 in five games and the Elks 138 in four games. 'If you look long term, us winning this game would give us a chance to have a really big game at the end of the season,' said Dunbar Jr. 'It's important, kind of keep the series alive. 'It'll be good for us in our playoff run. This is one of those games you want to win early in the season so when the season really matters, kind of figuring out the playoff situation, these points will help us out.' The two teams will meet a third time on Oct. 17 in Vancouver, the second-last week of the regular season. --John Korobanik This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 12, 2025.
CBC
7 days ago
- Sport
- CBC
Improved, confident Elks team welcomes B.C. Lions for Sunday rematch
Social Sharing It will be a different, much improved and more confident Edmonton Elks team awaiting the B.C. Lions on Sunday. Edmonton lost to the Lions 31-14 in Vancouver in Week 1 of the Canadian Football League season. But middle linebacker Nyles Morgan said that, five weeks later, the Elks are a different team. "We're night and day, a lot more together, a lot more locked in," said Morgan. "Been in the system a lot longer and everyone's a lot more comfortable playing with one another." That showed last Sunday when Edmonton beat the Ottawa Redblacks 39-33 for their first win after three losses. "We're a completely different team, different attitude, different M.O., moving in a better direction," said running back Justin Rankin, who had a 74-yard touchdown included in his 105 rushing yards against Ottawa. The Elks scored a season-high 39 points, Tre Ford had a perfect quarterback rating of 156.3, and the team had points in every quarter for the first time. Amazing what one victory can do for a team's morale. "We're figuring out what we're good at and what we're not good at," said wide receiver Steven Dunbar Jr. "Guys are understanding the offence a little better, understanding their role. We've kind of got more security as far as the offensive line, they're more cohesive. "Overall, we're playing better in all three phases of the game." Defensive tackle Jake Ceresna said that all Edmonton has to do now is go out on Sunday and prove it. To that end, part of the focus this week has been on how to deal with quarterback Nathan Rourke, whose arm and legs were a key part of the Lions success in Game 1. "It's really key to keep him in the pocket, but also get pressure on him so he feels uncomfortable because he is a great passer from the pocket too," said Ceresna. "We need to make him uncomfortable all night, make it easier on our DBs, and get some sacks. We need sacks." There's not much difference between the two young Canadian quarterbacks who have shown they can beat defences via the air or by their own scrambling ability. Ford has completed 78 of 109 passes for 950 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. Rourke is 61 of 99 passes for 925 yards, five TDs and three interceptions. Scrambling, Rourke has run 19 times for 155 yards (8.2 average) and two touchdowns. Ford has run only 12 times for 105 yards (8.8 average) and one TD. So much of the focus by both team's defences will be on containing the quarterbacks. "Getting sacks, getting hits, getting pressure, affecting him in every possible way we can," defensive end Brandon Barlow said of plans to stop Rourke. "Obviously getting him on the ground and getting the ball out is the most ideal." That, he said, always start with the defensive line. "We're the point of the spear, metaphorically speaking, so everything starts with us. We're the ones that are first to the punch and we want to make sure we're getting knockbacks and setting the tone." The Elks also need a win to even the season series with the 2-3 Lions. Statistically the teams have each scored 104 points while the Lions have given up 132 in five games and the Elks 138 in four games. "If you look long term, us winning this game would give us a chance to have a really big game at the end of the season," said Dunbar Jr. "It's important, kind of keep the series alive. "It'll be good for us in our playoff run. This is one of those games you want to win early in the season so when the season really matters, kind of figuring out the playoff situation, these points will help us out." The two teams will meet a third time on Oct. 17 in Vancouver, the second-last week of the regular season.
CTV News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Explosive breakouts help Elks lead CFL in big plays
Edmonton Elks' Justin Rankin (5) celebrates a touchdown against the Ottawa Redblacks during second half CFL action in Edmonton, on Sunday July 6, 2025. Big plays? You bet. The Edmonton Elks are tops in the Canadian Football League through five weeks of action in 2025 when it comes to the statistical category. The Elks, who earned their first win of the season on Sunday with a 39-33 home win over the Ottawa RedBlacks, lead the league with 16 of them, two better than both the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts. A 'big play' is a rush that goes for more than 20 yards, a pass that goes for more than 30 yards, a punt return that is more than 30 yards, a kickoff return that is more than 40 yards, a missed field goal that is returned for more than 30 yards or a missed convert that is returned for more than 50 yards. 'We've got some guys that are some of the best in the league, and I think they're starting to show that,' running back Justin Rankin told media after practice on Wednesday at Commonwealth Stadium. 'It just took some gelling and getting to know each other, practising and playing with each other.' Javon Leake Ottawa Redblacks' Anthony Gosselin (45) chases Edmonton Elks' Javon Leake (22) during first half CFL action in Edmonton, on Sunday July 6, 2025. (JASON FRANSON/THE CANADIAN PRESS) Edmonton certainly delivered a few of them in Sunday's win, including a 74-yard scamper by Rankin for a third-quarter touchdown, a pass to him from Tre Ford for a 45-yard gain, a 46-yard reception by running back Javon Leake and a 94-yard punt return for a touchdown also by Leake. Head coach Mark Kilam said Wednesday while the feeling around the team was positive after the win that gave the Elks a 1-3 record on the season, he and his staff soon got back to work on preparing for their next game on Sunday against the visiting B.C. Lions. 'The process doesn't change as far as looking at the corrections and what we have to do,' Kilam said. 'Really, that starts the next day after the game. You've got that night, win or lose, to feel what you feel and then you move forward the next day.' Beard returns to practice field Centre David Beard was back at practice Wednesday after missing the last two games with a leg injury. Beard was injured during the Elks' loss June 19 to the Montreal Alouettes. Kilam said there is no timeline for Beard's return to game action.
CTV News
07-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Rankin, Ford lead Elks to first win with 39-33 decision over Redblacks
Ottawa Redblacks' Anthony Gosselin (45) chases Edmonton Elks' Javon Leake (22) during first half CFL action in Edmonton, on Sunday July 6, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson EDMONTON — The Edmonton Elks have finally found their way into the win column. Justin Rankin scored a pair of touchdowns as the Elks captured their first win of the season, coming up big to defeat the Ottawa Redblacks 39-33 on Sunday. 'It was a complete 60-minute effort,' said Elks head coach Mark Kilam. 'It was gritty. Some guys went down, we had some moving parts. Guys were throwing up at halftime. It took a lot, it took everyone in the room, and I'm proud of them.' Edmonton (1-3) snapped a three-game losing skid to start the CFL campaign. 'We had a good start, we went out and scored on our first two drives, which was really good,' said Elks quarterback Tre Ford, who passed for 212 yards and two TDs. 'We sputtered a bit in the second quarter and a little bit into the third, but we were able to put some drives together and score some more points. I think our team just came together.' Ottawa dropped to 1-4 with its second straight loss. 'I don't think we started well,' said Ottawa coach Bob Dyce. 'We gave up explosives, both on special teams and defence, and didn't really create that many offensively. We were undisciplined at times and didn't execute the way we need to execute.' The Redblacks took nine penalties for 118 yards. 'The game is too hard to win in the first place, so we can't be moving backwards,' said Ottawa quarterback Dru Brown, who returned from injury. 'Personally, I didn't feel like I played very well early. I thought they had a good plan. They were pushing and testing our patience and there were times where I wasn't patient. 'It's a good learning experience, but a lot of things to improve on, for sure.' The Elks had a strong start to the contest, scoring on their opening drive. Ford lofted a pass to Rankin and he shrugged off a defender and scampered for a 45-yard touchdown. Edmonton added a single on the ensuing kickoff. Ottawa responded with a 42-yard field goal from Lewis Ward. Edmonton kept it coming on its second possession with another long drive, capped off when Ford pitched it to Kurleigh Gittens Jr. and he scrambled eight yards into the end zone. The Elks got a rare punt return touchdown five minutes into the second quarter when Javon Leake broke free and went 94 yards to score despite almost letting up too soon and getting caught. It was Edmonton's first punt return TD since Aug. 28, 2015. Ottawa finally got it going late in the second with a solid drive finished off by a six-yard TD pass from Brown to Eugene Lewis. The Redblacks got a dramatic punt return touchdown of their own with less than two minutes to play in the first half as Kalil Pimpleton bobbed and weaved his way 97 yards into the end zone to cut Edmonton's lead to 22-17 at halftime. After having a fumble return TD overturned on a penalty, Ottawa got a 42-yard field goal from Ward to open the third quarter. The Elks responded with a 21-yard field goal by Vincent Blanchard. Rankin came up big again with 3:36 left in the third, finding a seam up the middle and blazing 74 yards into the end zone for the major. Ward booted a 43-yard field goal to close out the half and added another from 28 yards out four minutes into the fourth to cut Edmonton's lead to six points. Blanchard countered with a 35-yard three-pointer. Ottawa gambled on a third and three with three minutes left in the game but was denied, leading to another 35-yard field goal from Blanchard, who added a single on the following kickoff. The Redblacks fought to the end, adding a 14-yard TD pass to Andre Miller. Brown comes up short Brown returned from missing the last three games with a hip injury looking to pass for more than 400 yards for his fourth consecutive game. Only Warren Moon, Kent Austin and Doug Flutie had also done it three times in a row in CFL history. Unfortunately, Brown only managed 316 yards passing on Sunday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 6, 2025. Shane Jones, The Canadian Press
Global News
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Global News
Rankin, Ford lead Elks to first win with 39-33 decision over Redblacks
The Edmonton Elks have finally found their way into the win column. Justin Rankin scored a pair of touchdowns as the Elks captured their first win of the season, coming up big to defeat the Ottawa Redblacks 39-33 on Sunday. 'It was a complete 60-minute effort,' said Elks head coach Mark Kilam. 'It was gritty. Some guys went down, we had some moving parts. Guys were throwing up at halftime. It took a lot, it took everyone in the room, and I'm proud of them.' Edmonton (1-3) snapped a three-game losing skid to start the CFL campaign. 'We had a good start, we went out and scored on our first two drives, which was really good,' said Elks quarterback Tre Ford, who passed for 212 yards and two TDs. 'We sputtered a bit in the second quarter and a little bit into the third, but we were able to put some drives together and score some more points. I think our team just came together.' Story continues below advertisement Ottawa dropped to 1-4 with its second straight loss. 'I don't think we started well,' said Ottawa coach Bob Dyce. 'We gave up explosives, both on special teams and defence, and didn't really create that many offensively. We were undisciplined at times and didn't execute the way we need to execute.' The Redblacks took nine penalties for 118 yards. 'The game is too hard to win in the first place, so we can't be moving backwards,' said Ottawa quarterback Dru Brown, who returned from injury. 'Personally, I didn't feel like I played very well early. I thought they had a good plan. They were pushing and testing our patience and there were times where I wasn't patient. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'It's a good learning experience, but a lot of things to improve on, for sure.' The Elks had a strong start to the contest, scoring on their opening drive. Ford lofted a pass to Rankin and he shrugged off a defender and scampered for a 45-yard touchdown. Edmonton added a single on the ensuing kickoff. Ottawa responded with a 42-yard field goal from Lewis Ward. Edmonton kept it coming on its second possession with another long drive, capped off when Ford pitched it to Kurleigh Gittens Jr. and he scrambled eight yards into the end zone. Story continues below advertisement The Elks got a rare punt return touchdown five minutes into the second quarter when Javon Leake broke free and went 94 yards to score despite almost letting up too soon and getting caught. It was Edmonton's first punt return TD since Aug. 28, 2015. Ottawa finally got it going late in the second with a solid drive finished off by a six-yard TD pass from Brown to Eugene Lewis. The Redblacks got a dramatic punt return touchdown of their own with less than two minutes to play in the first half as Kalil Pimpleton bobbed and weaved his way 97 yards into the end zone to cut Edmonton's lead to 22-17 at halftime. After having a fumble return TD overturned on a penalty, Ottawa got a 42-yard field goal from Ward to open the third quarter. The Elks responded with a 21-yard field goal by Vincent Blanchard. Rankin came up big again with 3:36 left in the third, finding a seam up the middle and blazing 74 yards into the end zone for the major. Ward booted a 43-yard field goal to close out the half and added another from 28 yards out four minutes into the fourth to cut Edmonton's lead to six points. Blanchard countered with a 35-yard three-pointer. Story continues below advertisement Ottawa gambled on a third and three with three minutes left in the game but was denied, leading to another 35-yard field goal from Blanchard, who added a single on the following kickoff. The Redblacks fought to the end, adding a 14-yard TD pass to Andre Miller. BROWN COMES UP SHORT Brown returned from missing the last three games with a hip injury looking to pass for more than 400 yards for his fourth consecutive game. Only Warren Moon, Kent Austin and Doug Flutie had also done it three times in a row in CFL history. Unfortunately, Brown only managed 316 yards passing on Sunday. UP NEXT Redblacks: Visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday, July 12. Elks: Host the B.C. Lions on Sunday, July 13.
