The Elks clinched a crucial 25-20 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday night with two remarkable third-quarter touchdowns and a resilient fourth-quarter defense. The win, witnessed by 15,013 fans in Edmonton, kept the Elks’ slim CFL playoff hopes alive.
Running back Justin Rankin’s 64-yard touchdown run on a third-down play and Kordell Jackson’s 47-yard touchdown after recovering a teammate’s fumble propelled the Elks to victory in challenging weather conditions. Elks coach Mark Kilam praised the team’s efforts, acknowledging the importance of all three phases contributing against a tough opponent.
With a 7-9 overall record, the Elks, who started the regular season at 1-6, need to win their remaining two games, including a crucial matchup against the Calgary Stampeders, to secure a playoff spot. Despite being at the bottom of the West Division, they are just two points behind the 8-8 Bombers, who hold a potential tiebreaker advantage after defeating the Elks in a previous encounter.
Rankin’s explosive touchdown run and Jackson’s opportunistic recovery for a score extended the Elks’ lead from one point to 14, proving to be pivotal plays in the game. Despite the Bombers’ late surge, the Elks’ defense stood strong, forcing turnovers on crucial third-down attempts.
Reflecting on the game, Kilam commended the team’s execution and expressed confidence in the defense’s ability to secure the win. Meanwhile, Winnipeg’s Brady Oliveira acknowledged the Elks’ playmaking ability and noted the impact of luck in the game.
Quarterback performances saw Edmonton’s Cody Fajardo completing 13 of 14 passes for 142 yards, while Rankin amassed 138 rushing yards. On the other side, Winnipeg’s Zach Collaros finished with 22 completions on 34 attempts for 202 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
Looking ahead, the Blue Bombers will face the Saskatchewan Roughriders, while the Elks will visit the B.C. Lions on October 17th.