The Edmonton Elks were defeated 38-29 by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday night at Commonwealth Stadium in an explosive matchup to open Week 10 of the 2023 CFL season.
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Making his first start since last October, Elks quarterback Tre Ford completed 12 of 16 passes for 189 yards with a touchdown toss to Kyran Moore. The fleet-footed pivot also ran for 50 yards and scored a rushing touchdown.
Elks running back Kevin Brown carried the ball for a team-leading 98 yards with a rushing touchdown. Loucheiz Purifoy also scored a major for Edmonton, picking off a Zach Collaros pass and taking it to the house.
Edmonton’s AC Leonard recorded two sacks, bringing his season total to eight, third most in the CFL. Edmonton linebacker Nyles Morgan led all players with 10 tackles, and now has 53 on the season, tied for second most in the league.
Making his return from the six-game injured list, Elks receiver Manny Arceneaux had a pair of catches, to climb from 24th to a tie for 22nd on the CFL all-time reception list with 623.
The Elks stormed out of the gate, scoring on the first play from scrimmage with Brown carrying the ball 65 yards to the endzone on the first play from scrimmage, the longest rush by a Green and Gold player since 2015. Dean Faithfull added a convert and sent the proceeding kickoff through the endzone to put Edmonton up 8-0.
EDMONTON HAS SCORED ON THE FIRST PLAY OF THE GAME!! #CFLGAMEDAY pic.twitter.com/T69aAAKHcr
— CFL (@CFL) August 11, 2023
Edmonton added to its lead late in the first quarter, when Ford rushed eight yards for his first touchdown of the season. A Faithfull convert made the score 15-0 for the home team. The Elks had a tremendous opening 15 minutes on the ground, totaling 140 rushing yards in the first quarter.
The Elks continued their momentum into the second quarter, taking a 22-0 lead after Purifoy intercepted Collaros and returned the ball 22 yards to the endzone for his second pick six of the season.
Winnipeg got back in the game before the half, cutting the lead to 22-10 with a touchdown from Dalton Schoen and a Sergio Castillo field-goal. The Blue Bombers then pulled within 22-17 following a Brady Oliveira touchdown early in the third quarter.
Edmonton answered and went ahead 29-17 late in the third quarter, when Ford completed the longest pass of his career, 70 yards to Moore for a touchdown. However, the Bombers scored the next three touchdowns, beginning with a one-yard rush by Dakota Prukop, followed by a 32-yard reception by Kenny Lawler, and finally a 17-yard reception from Oliveira.
With the loss, Edmonton falls to 0-9. The Elks will be back in action next Thursday, Aug. 17, on the road against Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Kickoff is 5:30 p.m. MT.
Be there when the Elks host the Ottawa Redblacks on Aug. 27 as Terry Vaughn becomes the 42nd player inducted to the EE Wall of Honour. As part of the festivities, the Green and Gold will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their 2003 Grey Cup championship team. 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.