EDMONTON – It was never going to be easy.
The Elks had put in the work over the last several weeks to rebound from their 0-7 start and find themselves back in the mix for a Western Division playoff spot. Last Saturday against the Blue Bombers the Elks were given a little more adversity to over come on their path to the postseason.
A veteran and playoff hardy Winnipeg team was able to come to Commonwealth and forced the Elks to beat themselves to the tune of 27-14 victory. The Elks kept the contest close, with the two teams deadlocked 10-10 into the third quarter, but six turnovers forced by the Bombers defence proved to be the difference.
The Double E get their opportunity for redemption Friday night at Princess Auto Stadium, but they know they let one slip at home.
“As much as we respect and know how good Winnipeg is, we felt like we let them off the hook,” McLeod Bethel-Thompson said. “It was frustrating to have them come into our house and walk away with one.”
“We know we got a big week ahead and a big challenge ahead. They’re a better team at home. The crowd gets into it. It’s a hostile environment. We have to go on silent cadence. We know what Willie (Jefferson) can do with that. We know what their offense can do when their vibing off of the crowd. We know we put ourselves in a tough spot, but at some point this season we have to go in and beat Winnipeg. If it’s now, or if we’re lucky enough to get in playoffs, it’ll be later.”
Bethel-Thompson will take the reigns behind centre for the Elks like he has in so much of the season. The CFL’s third leading passer is being brought in to provide a steadier baseline to the Elks passing offence. Tre Ford has shown glimpses of brilliance, such as his outstanding performance in Saskatchewan back in August, however a three turnover game against a Bombers team who game planned to limit his explosiveness convinced Head Coach Jarious Jackson to return to Bethel-Thompson – who had won his prior two starts,
“Yeah, McLeod’s back in there. He’s going to give us an opportunity,” Jackson said. “I feel like I’ve been fair to both guys when either guy was either up or down. I think McLeod gives us the best chance to win right now because he’s more consistent with this play right now.”
“I love every guy in that quarterback room, so it’s not personal,” he added “It’s about winning football games and that’s my job, to make the tough decisions to win football games.”
OLD SCHOOL FOOTBALL
If there is one area of the Elks game that has seen a resurgence under Jackson, it has been the team’s defence and run game. The Blue Bombers have dominated the West over the last several years with those two characteristics being their blueprint to success.
Edmonton has followed that blueprint over the last several weeks, now leading the CFL in both interceptions (21) and rush yards (1,720). Even against the Blue Bombers on Friday, the Green and Gold followed their gameplan to a tee. Darius Bratton was able to haul in an interception on Zach Collaros and the defence held the visitors to just 10 points through three quarters. Rookie running back Justin Rankin put on a show, rumbling through Bombers defenders for 157 yards on 14 carries — including a season long 53-yard scamper and five carries of at least 10 yards.
Unfortunately, the Elks struggled to protect the football and it was ultimately their undoing against the defending West Division champions.
“They (the defence) were holding up. Of course we let Zach (Collaros) get loose a time or two, while also dealing with Brady (Oliveira) as well,” Jackson said about the performance. “When a team runs the ball as well as they do, or you have a veteran quarterback that knows where to go with the football, you can only hold up for so long if you’re not matching their intensity or matching their scoring. You can only hold on so long before the damn break. So, hats off to the defense. We can’t give that team six more possessions (due to turnovers) like we did.”
There is a belief inside the locker room that if the Elks play the way they did on Saturday night, especially with their running game, then Friday night’s rematch is certainly for the taking.
“When you run the ball against 196 yards against a defense like Winnipeg’s, that’s a great day,” Jackson said. “I mean, 196 yards against any team is a great day, let alone that defense. They’re a veteran defense, they’re stout against the run. They have no quit in them. They fight till the end. You just have to continue to take advantage of your opportunities when they present themselves and not turn the ball over.”