WINNIPEG – The Edmonton Elks have once again defied expectations, snatching a dramatic 23-18 Elks victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday night. This thrilling contest saw quarterback Cody Fajardo orchestrate a stunning late-game comeback, securing the win with just 53 seconds remaining on the clock. It wasn’t pretty, certainly not from start to finish, yet the scoreboard told a triumphant tale for Edmonton.
After surrendering a commanding 17-point lead and briefly trailing by a single point deep into the fourth quarter, Fajardo connected with TJ Luther for a crucial eight-yard touchdown pass. “We’re not playing our best ball all throughout four quarters,” Fajardo candidly admitted post-game. “But what we are doing is we’re playing our best ball at critical times. And when you do that, you’re going to win more games than you’re going lose.” His performance was stellar, completing 25 of 35 passes for 267 yards, complemented by running back Justin Rankin’s impressive 106 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. The Elks have truly found their stride, marking their first 3-0 start since 2017.
The Unyielding Spirit Behind Every Elks Victory
Head coach Mark Kilam lauded his team’s unwavering resolve. “We talk about it all the time – finding ways to win and that’s what Cody and the offence did when he needed it the most.” This latest triumph follows last week’s overtime nail-biter against the Montreal Alouettes, further cementing the team’s burgeoning confidence. Receiver TJ Luther, ecstatic after the win, boldly declared, “Nobody’s messing with us. I feel like we’ve got the best team in the league. I just feel very confident in our team. We all play together and are very assignment-oriented.”
Conversely, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were left to rue their missed opportunities and costly errors. Quarterback Zach Collaros, despite a valiant effort to spark a comeback from a 17-0 deficit, saw his team’s hopes dashed by crucial turnovers. He completed 24 of 33 passes for 290 yards, throwing touchdowns to Tim White and Brady Oliveira. However, three Bomber fumbles directly translated into 10 points for the Elks. “You can’t turn the ball over,” Collaros lamented. “You’ve got to play a clean game, stay on the football field.” Running back Brady Oliveira, who rushed for 77 yards, conceded, “We made way too many mistakes. When we did turn it on a bit, it was too late.” For more insights into the season, visit the Canadian Football League’s official website.
Despite Winnipeg’s near-resurrection, which saw them briefly take an 18-17 lead, the Elks remained composed. “We weren’t worried,” Luther confirmed, reflecting on the team’s composure. “We’ve been in that position before, so we already knew what we had to do to get out of it.” Fajardo emphasized the broader mission: to redefine the team’s narrative. “There’s been a narrative about this organization over the last six years and all I want to do and what these guys want to do is change that narrative. We do that by starting 3-0.” This latest Elks victory is a resounding statement that this year, things are different in Edmonton.
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