Latest news with #Kilam
Global News
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Global News
Elks look for first win of the season at home against the Redblacks
The Edmonton Elks (0-3) are the last team in the CFL without a win. They will look to change that on Sunday evening when they host the Ottawa Redblacks (1-3) on Play Alberta Field at Commonwealth Stadium. The Elks played their best game of the season last week in a 36-23 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Elks erased a 23-10 deficit to tie the game at 23-23 going into the fourth quarter. But the Elks were out-scored 13-0 in the final quarter, letting the game slip away in the process. Head coach Mark Kilam says building blocks are visible as a brand new team learns to win games. Kilam says his team needs to make more plays in key moments of the game. 'That's part of it – making plays when they present themselves,' Kilam says. 'You have to have an opportunistic mindset that sees and realizes that, and those are some of the things that we have been talking to our guys about.' Story continues below advertisement The Elks on offence seem to be finding their form; they have scored 45 points in their last five quarters. The defence, in that same timespan, has given up 46 points and has struggled in the first three games of the season. The Elks are last in the CFL in net yards allowed (431 yards) and average points allowed per game (35). Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The Elks have forced a CFL-low three turnovers, have recorded just two sacks in three games, and are the only team not to record an interception. However, reigning CFL Most Outstanding Rookie Nick Anderson is off to a good start. The second-year linebacker has 25 defensive tackles in three games and no fewer than seven defensive tackles in each game. The Elks are facing the team with the lowest passing yards in the CFL but the Redblacks will have starting quarterback Dru Brown back after he missed the last three games with a hip injury. Brown has a streak of three-straight 400-yard passing games, including a 413-yard performance in Week 1. The Redblacks without Brown averaged only 185 passing yards per game. The Elks lost two players to injury last week: defensive lineman Tomari Fox has been placed on the six-game injured list with an ankle injury and linebacker Eteva Muaga-Clements is on the one-game injured list with a knee injury. Linebacker Josiah Schakel and receiver Binjimen Victor have been placed on the team's practice roster, meanwhile receiver Tyson Middlemost, defensive lineman Francis Bemiy, receiver Kearis Jackson, and linebacker Brock Mogenson have been added to the active roster. Story continues below advertisement The following are the projected offensive and defensive starters for the Elks: Offence Quarterback: Tre Ford Running back: Justin Rankin (Fullback: Tanner Green) Offensive line: Martez Ivey, Mark Evans II, Mark Korte, Gregor MacKellar, Brett Boyko Receivers: Steven Dunbar, Kurleigh Gittens Jr., Arkell Smith, Kaion Julien-Grant, Zach Mathis Defence Defensive line: Brandon Barlow, Jared Brinkman, Jake Ceresna, Robbie Smith Linebackers: Nick Anderson, Nyles Morgan, Chelan Garnes Defensive backs: Devodric Bynum, Kordell Jackson, Royce Metchie, Kobe Williams, Tyrell Ford You can hear Sunday's game between the Elks and Redblacks on 880 CHED starting with Countdown to Kickoff with Courtney Theriault at 3:30 p.m. The opening kickoff from Play Alberta Field at Commonwealth Stadium will be at 5 p.m. with Morley Scott and Dave Campbell calling all of the live action. Hear analysis from former Edmonton Football Team offensive lineman and two-time Grey Cup champion Blake Dermott. Former EE offensive lineman Gord Hinse will provide analysis from the Elks sidelines.
Global News
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Global News
Elks head coach says team ‘needs to grow' as it continues to search for 1st win of CFL season
After mounting a second-half comeback to tie a game against the Blue Bombers (3-0) in Winnipeg last week, the Edmonton Elks (0-3) ended up losing their third-straight game of the young CFL season on Thursday by a score of 36-23. After a team practice on Tuesday, Elks head coach Mark Kilam was asked about his team's ability to play a full 60 minutes each game. 'It's really where this football team needs to grow,' he said. 'Someone's got to step up to make the plays. 'We kind of stalled out. I thought offensively, early, we were moving the ball well.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We kind of stalled out. I thought offensively, early, we were moving the ball well." In the game before their matchup against the Bombers, the Elks lost 38-28 to the Montreal Alouettes but managed to score 22 points in the fourth quarter, a display that Kilam had hoped would serve as a catalyst for more success going forward. Story continues below advertisement 'We've got to find ways to keep our offence on the field, especially when our defence is holding us in the game,' he said Tuesday. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The Elks are the only CFL team that has yet to earn a win this season and are preparing to host the Ottawa Redblacks at Commonwealth Stadium on Sunday. In the last three seasons, the team has started 0-2, 0-9 and 0-7. Edmonton finished fourth in the West Division last season and last made the CFL playoffs in 2019. On Tuesday, the CFL named Elks defensive lineman D.K. Bonhomme to its Week 4 Honour Roll for his play on special teams. He had two special teams tackles and a fumble recovery against the Bombers. Bonhomme said he is grateful to Kilam for putting him in a 'position to be able to make plays' this season, and that while the team lost, he feels players gained some confidence after the game in Winnipeg. 'It was a good step forward,' he said. '(We've) just got to lock in — all together — and just not let the moment be too big. 'Just execute our game plan and then everything will end up working out.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Just execute our game plan and then everything will end up working out." Kilam said Tuesday's workout was helpful as the team prepares for its next game against Ottawa. Story continues below advertisement '(It) was exactly what we needed,' he said, adding his team is focused on staying positive and trying to improve. 'It was high-tempo — it wasn't very long. 'Win or lose, you're trying to get better every week.'
Hamilton Spectator
03-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
B.C.‘s Buck Pierce, Edmonton's Mark Kilam to meet in their CFL head-coaching debuts
Buck Pierce will make his CFL head-coaching debut in familiar surroundings. Pierce begins his tenure as B.C.'s head coach Saturday night when the Lions host the Edmonton Elks. Pierce, 43, began his CFL career as a quarterback with the Lions (2005-09) — winning a Grey Cup in '06 — before finishing up as a player with the franchise in 2013. Saturday's contest will also be Mark Kilam's first as Edmonton's head coach. Pierce, 43, replaces Rick Campbell, who was fired following the Lions' 9-9 record and early playoff exit in a season Vancouver hosted the Grey Cup. Pierce arrived in B.C. following 10 seasons as an assistant with Winnipeg, helping the Blue Bombers make five straight Grey Cup appearances, winning in 2019 and 2021. 'We've got to continue to grow, continue to teach and we've got to make sure we're able to finish,' Pierce said following B.C.'s 20-19 exhibition loss to Edmonton on Friday night. Kilam, 46, joined Edmonton after 20 seasons as an assistant with the Calgary, including three Grey Cup-winning teams. Kilam, of Lethbridge, Alta., played collegiately at Alberta (1997-2001) as a linebacker and was hired by the Elks after the Stampeders didn't retain him. Edmonton (7-11) finished fourth in the West Division last season and last made the CFL post-season in 2019. The '25 season will be one of change for Edmonton. Since Larry Thompson bought the franchise last August, it has added a new president/CEO (Chris Morris), vice-president of football operations/GM (Ed Hervey) and coaching staff. 'This is a fresh new vibe here,' Kilam said. 'There was a lot of roster turnover, there's been a lot of turnover in the admin side, obviously the coaching staff has been turned over. 'We're the new era of the Double E.' Winnipeg's Mike O'Shea remains the CFL's longest-tenured head coach. The 54-year-old North Bay, Ont., native — twice the league's coach of the year — enters his 11th campaign on the Blue Bombers sidelines and looks to lead the franchise to a sixth straight Grey Cup appearance as this year's championship contest will be held at Princess Auto Stadium in November. Winnipeg has become a model of consistency under O'Shea. After missing the playoffs with a combined 12-24 record during O'Shea's first two seasons, the Bombers have posted double-digit victories the last eight and four consecutive first-place finishes. O'Shea, inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame as a player in 2017, has a 107-69-0 regular-season record. Toronto's Ryan Dinwiddie enters his fifth season with the club. The 44-year-old American has led Argonauts to two Grey Cups (2022, '24), compiling a 46-22 regular-season record. Toronto has finished atop the East Division three times and posted double-digit victories the last three years under Dinwiddie, the CFL's 2023 coach of the year. Scott Milanovich, 52, begins his second season as Hamilton's head coach/offensive co-ordinator. The Ticats (7-11) were fourth in East Division last year, missing the playoffs. This marks Milanovich's seventh CFL regular season as a head coach, having spent time previously with Toronto (2012-16). He has a 50-58-0 regular-season record and was the CFL's coach of the year in 2012, the same year he led the Argos to victory in the 100th Grey Cup at Rogers Centre. Bob Dyce enters his third full season as Ottawa's head coach. He led the Redblacks to 9-8-1 record and third in East Division for its first playoff appearance since 2018 before dropping a 58-38 semifinal decision to Toronto. Dyce, 59, of Winnipeg, has a 17-31-1 record with Saskatchewan (3-6) and Ottawa (14-25-1). He won two Grey Cups as an assistant (2013 with Riders, 2016 with Redblacks). Jason Maas, 52, embarks on his third season as Montreal's head coach. He led the Alouettes to a '23 Grey Cup title and tops in the East Division last season (CFL-best 12-5-1 record) before losing 30-28 to Toronto in the conference final. Maas, the '24 CFL coach of the year, has a 62-45-1 head-coaching record having previously served with Edmonton (2016-19). Dave Dickenson, 52, begins his second season as Calgary's GM and ninth as head coach. The Stampeders (5-12-1) missed the CFL playoffs for the first time since '04. Dickenson has an 84-53-3 regular-season record and led Calgary to an '18 Grey Cup title. Corey Mace, 39, of Port Moody, B.C., returns for a second season as Saskatchewan's head coach after guiding the Riders (9-8-1) to second in West Division. The club opened the playoffs downing B.C. 28-19 before losing 38-22 to Winnipeg in conference final. Mace is a three-time Grey Cup champion as a defensive lineman (2014 with Calgary) and coach (assistant with Stamps in 2018, Toronto in 2022). This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2025.
Global News
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Global News
Edmonton's Mark Kilam, B.C.'s Buck Pierce to meet in their CFL head-coaching debuts
Buck Pierce will make his CFL head-coaching debut in familiar surroundings. Pierce begins his tenure as B.C.'s head coach Saturday night when the Lions host the Edmonton Elks. Pierce, 43, began his CFL career as a quarterback with the Lions (2005-09) — winning a Grey Cup in '06 – before finishing up as a player with the franchise in 2013. Story continues below advertisement Saturday's contest will also be Mark Kilam's first as Edmonton's head coach. Pierce, 43, replaces Rick Campbell, who was fired following the Lions' 9-9 record and early playoff exit in a season Vancouver hosted the Grey Cup. Pierce arrived in B.C. following 10 seasons as an assistant with Winnipeg, helping the Blue Bombers make five straight Grey Cup appearances, winning in 2019 and 2021. 'We've got to continue to grow, continue to teach and we've got to make sure we're able to finish,' Pierce said following B.C.'s 20-19 exhibition loss to Edmonton on Friday night. Kilam, 46, joined Edmonton after 20 seasons as an assistant with the Calgary, including three Grey Cup-winning teams. Kilam, of Lethbridge, Alta., played collegiately at Alberta (1997-2001) as a linebacker and was hired by the Elks after the Stampeders didn't retain him. 2:19 Edmonton Elks name Mark Kilam as football team's new head coach Edmonton (7-11) finished fourth in the West Division last season and last made the CFL post-season in 2019. Story continues below advertisement The '25 season will be one of change for Edmonton. Since Larry Thompson bought the franchise last August, it has added a new president/CEO (Chris Morris), vice-president of football operations/GM (Ed Hervey) and coaching staff. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'This is a fresh new vibe here,' Kilam said. 'There was a lot of roster turnover, there's been a lot of turnover in the admin side, obviously the coaching staff has been turned over. 'We're the new era of the Double E.' Winnipeg's Mike O'Shea remains the CFL's longest-tenured head coach. The 54-year-old North Bay, Ont., native — twice the league's coach of the year — enters his 11th campaign on the Blue Bombers sidelines and looks to lead the franchise to a sixth straight Grey Cup appearance as this year's championship contest will be held at Princess Auto Stadium in November. Story continues below advertisement Winnipeg has become a model of consistency under O'Shea. After missing the playoffs with a combined 12-24 record during O'Shea's first two seasons, the Bombers have posted double-digit victories the last eight and four consecutive first-place finishes. O'Shea, inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame as a player in 2017, has a 107-69-0 regular-season record. 6:09 RAW: Blue Bombers Mike O'Shea Interview – May 23 Toronto's Ryan Dinwiddie enters his fifth season with the club. The 44-year-old American has led Argonauts to two Grey Cups (2022, '24), compiling a 46-22 regular-season record. Toronto has finished atop the East Division three times and posted double-digit victories the last three years under Dinwiddie, the CFL's 2023 coach of the year. Scott Milanovich, 52, begins his second season as Hamilton's head coach/offensive co-ordinator. The Ticats (7-11) were fourth in East Division last year, missing the playoffs. Story continues below advertisement This marks Milanovich's seventh CFL regular season as a head coach, having spent time previously with Toronto (2012-16). He has a 50-58-0 regular-season record and was the CFL's coach of the year in 2012, the same year he led the Argos to victory in the 100th Grey Cup at Rogers Centre. Bob Dyce enters his third full season as Ottawa's head coach. He led the Redblacks to 9-8-1 record and third in East Division for its first playoff appearance since 2018 before dropping a 58-38 semifinal decision to Toronto. Dyce, 59, of Winnipeg, has a 17-31-1 record with Saskatchewan (3-6) and Ottawa (14-25-1). He won two Grey Cups as an assistant (2013 with Riders, 2016 with Redblacks). Jason Maas, 52, embarks on his third season as Montreal's head coach. He led the Alouettes to a '23 Grey Cup title and tops in the East Division last season (CFL-best 12-5-1 record) before losing 30-28 to Toronto in the conference final. Maas, the '24 CFL coach of the year, has a 62-45-1 head-coaching record having previously served with Edmonton (2016-19). Dave Dickenson, 52, begins his second season as Calgary's GM and ninth as head coach. The Stampeders (5-12-1) missed the CFL playoffs for the first time since '04. Dickenson has an 84-53-3 regular-season record and led Calgary to an '18 Grey Cup title. Story continues below advertisement Corey Mace, 39, of Port Moody, B.C., returns for a second season as Saskatchewan's head coach after guiding the Riders (9-8-1) to second in West Division. The club opened the playoffs downing B.C. 28-19 before losing 38-22 to Winnipeg in conference final. Mace is a three-time Grey Cup champion as a defensive lineman (2014 with Calgary) and coach (assistant with Stamps in 2018, Toronto in 2022). This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2025.
Vancouver Sun
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
B.C.'s Buck Pierce, Edmonton's Mark Kilam to meet in their CFL head-coaching debuts
Buck Pierce will make his CFL head-coaching debut in familiar surroundings. Pierce begins his tenure as B.C.'s head coach Saturday night when the Lions host the Edmonton Elks. Pierce, 43, began his CFL career as a quarterback with the Lions (2005-09) — winning a Grey Cup in 2006 — before finishing up as a player with the franchise in 2013. Saturday's contest will also be Mark Kilam's first as Edmonton's head coach. Pierce, 43, replaces Rick Campbell, who was fired following the Lions' 9-9 record and early playoff exit in a season Vancouver hosted the Grey Cup. Pierce arrived in B.C. following 10 seasons as an assistant with Winnipeg, helping the Blue Bombers make five straight Grey Cup appearances, winning in 2019 and 2021. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'We've got to continue to grow, continue to teach and we've got to make sure we're able to finish,' Pierce said following B.C.'s 20-19 exhibition loss to Edmonton on Friday night. Kilam, 46, joined Edmonton after 20 seasons as an assistant with the Calgary, including three Grey Cup-winning teams. Kilam, of Lethbridge, Alta., played collegiately at Alberta (1997-2001) as a linebacker and was hired by the Elks after the Stampeders didn't retain him. Edmonton (7-11) finished fourth in the West Division last season and last made the CFL post-season in 2019. The '25 season will be one of change for Edmonton. Since Larry Thompson bought the franchise last August, it has added a new president/CEO (Chris Morris), vice-president of football operations/GM (Ed Hervey) and coaching staff. 'This is a fresh new vibe here,' Kilam said. 'There was a lot of roster turnover, there's been a lot of turnover in the admin side, obviously the coaching staff has been turned over. 'We're the new era of the Double E.' Winnipeg's Mike O'Shea remains the CFL's longest-tenured head coach. The 54-year-old North Bay, Ont., native — twice the league's coach of the year — enters his 11th campaign on the Blue Bombers sidelines and looks to lead the franchise to a sixth straight Grey Cup appearance as this year's championship contest will be held at Princess Auto Stadium in November. Winnipeg has become a model of consistency under O'Shea. After missing the playoffs with a combined 12-24 record during O'Shea's first two seasons, the Bombers have posted double-digit victories the last eight and four consecutive first-place finishes. O'Shea, inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame as a player in 2017, has a 107-69-0 regular-season record. Toronto's Ryan Dinwiddie enters his fifth season with the club. The 44-year-old American has led Argonauts to two Grey Cups (2022, '24), compiling a 46-22 regular-season record. Toronto has finished atop the East Division three times and posted double-digit victories the last three years under Dinwiddie, the CFL's 2023 coach of the year. Scott Milanovich, 52, begins his second season as Hamilton's head coach/offensive co-ordinator. The Ticats (7-11) were fourth in East Division last year, missing the playoffs. This marks Milanovich's seventh CFL regular season as a head coach, having spent time previously with Toronto (2012-16). He has a 50-58-0 regular-season record and was the CFL's coach of the year in 2012, the same year he led the Argos to victory in the 100th Grey Cup at Rogers Centre. Bob Dyce enters his third full season as Ottawa's head coach. He led the Redblacks to 9-8-1 record and third in East Division for its first playoff appearance since 2018 before dropping a 58-38 semifinal decision to Toronto. Dyce, 59, of Winnipeg, has a 17-31-1 record with Saskatchewan (3-6) and Ottawa (14-25-1). He won two Grey Cups as an assistant (2013 with Riders, 2016 with Redblacks). Jason Maas, 52, embarks on his third season as Montreal's head coach. He led the Alouettes to a '23 Grey Cup title and tops in the East Division last season (CFL-best 12-5-1 record) before losing 30-28 to Toronto in the conference final. Maas, the '24 CFL coach of the year, has a 62-45-1 head-coaching record having previously served with Edmonton (2016-19). Dave Dickenson, 52, begins his second season as Calgary's GM and ninth as head coach. The Stampeders (5-12-1) missed the CFL playoffs for the first time since '04. Dickenson has an 84-53-3 regular-season record and led Calgary to an '18 Grey Cup title. Corey Mace, 39, of Port Moody, returns for a second season as Saskatchewan's head coach after guiding the Riders (9-8-1) to second in West Division. The club opened the playoffs downing B.C. 28-19 before losing 38-22 to Winnipeg in conference final. Mace is a three-time Grey Cup champion as a defensive lineman (2014 with Calgary) and coach (assistant with Stamps in 2018, Toronto in 2022).
