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Game Recaps August 3, 2024

GAME RECAP | Elks 42, Roughriders 31

@arcurimike

REGINA – The monkey is officially off this team’s back.

The Elks ran all over the Saskatchewan Roughriders to the tune of a 42-31 victory at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday night.

“It’s exciting,” Elks quarterback Tre Ford said, who passed for 252 yards and two touchdowns on the night. “I’m happy, but it’s not even for me. I’m happy for the guys in locker room. They’re having a blast in there right now. I’m just happy that I could come out here and help them feel whatever emotions that they’re feeling.”

In all, Edmonton finished the game with 276 yards rushing against the CFL’s top ranked rush defence — who were averaging 47.9 rush-yards allowed per game prior to the Elks charge.

It was Javon Leake, who was filling in for the injured Kevin Brown who did the majority of the damage. The Elks big offseason signing racked up 169 yards on the ground, on only 12 carries, with 3 touchdowns.

“You look at what our o-line did today,” Ford said. “They dominated the front. And then Javon Leake steps up and has a ginormous game. I don’t even know what he went for yet, but I’m going to find out soon.”

The victory is the first in the career of Interim Head Coach Jarious Jackson and General Manager Geroy Simon.

“It’s not about me,” Jackson said in his post-game press conference. “You know what, I’m appreciative of it. I thank the guys and,  they’re trying to make it about me, but it’s not about me. It’s about them.”

The Elks return to Edmonton for a Sunday, Aug 11 rematch against the visiting B.C. Lions in our Country Day game.

GAMEDAY ESSENTIALS

TRE FORD’S SOLID DEBUT

Tre Ford provided exactly the spark the Elks were looking for.

The Canadian QB was on fire through the first half of the game. Ford completed 10 of 13 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown, while adding another 28 yards on the ground. The 26-year-old showed no hesitation to move the ball down the field, first with a 35-yard pass on the deep out which Geno Lewis high pointed for the large gain.

The aerial assault continued when Ford found former Saskatchewan Roughrider receiver Tevin Jones open along the sideline. Jones took the ball and out ran all the Rider green behind him for the 93-yard score.

The Ford led offence was able to overcome a less than ideal start when Saskatchewan returner Mario Alford ran the opening kickoff back for the score.

“You never want to see that, unless you’re the opposing team,” Ford said. “All you can do is you can either sit down or you can sit up. We had to step up offensively and go answer that call, and we were able to do that.”

TEVIN JONES TORCHES FORMER TEAM

It was an unlikely suspect who ended up pacing the Elks in receiving yards on Saturday. It was ex-Roughriders receiver Tevin Jones, who was released by the Montreal Alouettes at the end of 2024 training camp.

The 31-year-old wideout caught three passes on the night for 123 yards and a pair of scores. His last one with 1:32 remaining in the contest helped seal the game for the Elks, giving the club a win over his former team.

“Very happy for Tevin,” Jackson said. “He stepped in and stepped up.  It wasn’t always clean, it wasn’t always pretty, but just like I told the guys, don’t flinch.”

THEY SAID

Jarious Jackson on who will line up behind centre next week for the Elks

“I think I said it the other day: come in, win games, and you’re the guy. Tre did a hell of a job today and he’ll be right back on the centre next week.”

Jackson on the performance of Javon Leake

“Not surprised at all. That’s the reason we weren’t afraid to start him. We weren’t afraid to put him in the game. Him and Rankin kind of went back and forth a little bit. We still kept him on some special team duties, but I just told him to be smart about him. Let me know if he’s tired or not. We’ll get him out of there. We need you to take the lion’s share of the load when it comes to the run again.”

Javon Leake on his 169 yard rushing performance

“I felt like we were really clicking tonight, especially in run game. I was doing a good job of just being patient and reading the blocks. My o-line, I can’t thank them enough. They really blocked their tail off tonight, so I owe all to them.”