The Edmonton Elks on Friday visited the Nation’s Capital, where they were defeated 26-7 by the host Ottawa Redblacks at TD Place.
Rookie receiver Maurice Ffrench led all players with 6 receptions for 74 yards and scored his first career touchdown for the Elks, who fell behind 16-0 at halftime en route to dropping their fourth straight game to start the 2023 CFL season.
“We’re just going to keep chopping wood, that’s what I told (the players),” Elks coach Chris Jones said in a postgame interview on 630 CHED, radio flagship of the Green and Gold. “You’re not going to throw your arms up and quit.”
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Making his first pro football start, Elks quarterback Jarret Doege completed 19 of 33 passes for 223 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. Seven different Elks players caught passes, including Kyran Moore who had a 38-yard reception on Edmonton’s largest offensive play of the game.
Edmonton was outgained 375 to 244 yards total offence, with Ottawa holding a 208-50 edge in rushing. Second-year running back Kevin Brown was Edmonton’s leading rusher with 38 yards on seven carries.
Nyles Morgan recorded seven tackles for the Elks, moving into a tie with Micah Awe of the Calgary Stampeders for the league lead with 27 defensive tackles. Elks defensive lineman Kony Ealy had both a sack and a pass knockdown.
Drop the football in the bucket- @DoegeJarret edition 🙌#CFLGameday | @GoElks pic.twitter.com/B0JEbCBK37
— CFL (@CFL) July 1, 2023
Ottawa led 10-0 after the first quarter, with Marco Dubois scored a touchdown on a 54-yard reception from Redblacks quarterback Tyrie Adams. Doege connected with Ffrench for a three-yard touchdown late in the third quarter to cut Ottawa’s lead to 16-6 going into the fourth quarter. De’Montre Tuggle scored a touchdown on a nine-yard rush midway through the fourth quarter for the Redblacks to seal the victory for Ottawa.
The loss is Edmonton’s first on the road to an East Division opponent in five games, dating back to 2021, while the Redblacks snap a 14-game home losing streak.
Edmonton returns to action on Thursday (July 6), when they travel to Regina to take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Be there Thursday, July 13 at Commonwealth Stadium when the Edmonton Elks host the Hamilton Ti-Cats for the Salute to Service game. Being part of the action has never been more affordable, with tickets starting at just $15. Click here to get your tickets now and be part of the tradition.
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