In search of their first win of 2023, the Edmonton Elks return to the site of their last win of 2022, Mosaic Stadium in Regina, where the Green and Gold will take on the host Saskatchewan Roughriders on Thursday night.
GAME DETAILS
| Kickoff | 7:00 p.m. MT |
| Stadium | Mosaic Stadium |
| Broadcasts |
Radio: 630 CHED TV: TSN United States: CBS Sports Network International: CFL+ |
Edmonton defeated the Roughriders 26-24 on Sept. 16, 2022, when quarterback Taylor Cornelius engineered a drive that produced the game-winning field goal with just seconds remaining.
That game was the finest of Cornelius’ young CFL career. The EE quarterback earned CFL Stars of the Week recognition after totalling 93 rushing yards, the most by an Edmonton quarterback in nearly eight years, including one rush that went for 56 yards, the longest by a Green and Gold QB since 1999. He also completed a 77-yard touchdown pass to Elks receiver Dillon Mitchell, in what was the longest offence play of the 2022 season for Edmonton.
Seventy seven yard 💣💣💣
Dillon Mitchell is a man on 🔥!#CFLGameday | @GoElks pic.twitter.com/C0aaoR95Dw
— CFL (@CFL) September 17, 2022
This is already the second meeting of 2023 for the Elks and Riders, who opened the season against each other on June 11 at Commonwealth Stadium. Before more than 32,000 enthusiastic fans, Edmonton took a 10-7 lead in the second quarter after Cornelius connected with Geno Lewis for a spectacular 102-yard touchdown, but the Riders rallied and held on for a 17-13 win.
While the Riders are third in the CFL West Division with a record of 2-1, Saskatchewan has lost its last seven games at Mosaic Stadium, including its only home game this season. The Elks, meanwhile, are winless through four games, 0-2 both at home and on the road.
In their two road games, Edmonton’s defence has done a good job limiting their opponents’ trips into the end zone, allowing just three touchdowns including only one on the ground. Elks linebacker Nyles Morgan is tied for the league lead with 27 defensive tackles, while his teammate Loucheiz Purifoy is tied for the West Division lead with two interceptions.
On the other side of the field, Edmonton has struggled, scoring just seven points total on the road so far, which stands as the fewest combined points scored during the first two away games of a season in team history.
Cornelius will look to jumpstart Edmonton’s offence with a receiving core that includes Mitchell, Steven Dunbar, who is tied for third in the CFL with 17 receptions, and big-play rookie Maurice Ffrench, who had six receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown in his regular season debut last week against the Ottawa Redblacks. Lewis will miss his second game after being placed on the six-game injured list following Week 3.
The Elks will also look to return man CJ Sims for a gamebreaking play. The rookie speedster ranks fourth in the CFL for yards per return on both punts and kickoffs.
Edmonton seeks to avoid its first 0-5 start since 1965, and a win would give the Green and Gold a shot of momentum heading into their next home game, July 13, against the Hamilton Ti-Cats.
SEE THE ELKS CLASH WITH THE CATS
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.
Elks Football…Our Team. Our City.