EDMONTON — The Saskatchewan Roughriders scraped together a road victory on Saturday night, edging the Edmonton Elks 28-26 at Commonwealth Stadium as running back Tommy Stevens accounted for three touchdowns and the club absorbed a steady stream of injuries and returned punches.
Riders answer last week’s heartbreak
The win was a measure of revenge. Nine days earlier the Elks had spoilt the Roughriders’ home night with a last-second 57-yard field goal. This time Saskatchewan left Edmonton with the two-point margin and a record of 5-2, while the Elks sit atop the West at 6-2.
Stevens finished with three short rushing scores, all coming on goal-line work and providing Saskatchewan the bulk of its points. Quarterback Trevor Harris completed a steady night of management, throwing for 239 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Game flow and key plays
Edmonton struck first on its opening possession when Justin Rankin capped a seven-play, 62-yard drive with a short touchdown run. The Elks’ kicker Vincent Blanchard added the convert.
On the ensuing kickoff Johnny Johnson III returned the ball 87 yards to the Edmonton nine-yard line and three plays later Stevens scored on a one-yard plunge to tie the game. Stevens scored twice more in the first half and the Roughriders took a 14-13 lead into the break after Blanchard connected on a 44-yard field goal late in the second quarter.
| Team | Score | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Saskatchewan Roughriders | 28 | 5-2 |
| Edmonton Elks | 26 | 6-2 |
Attendance was reported at 31,717. The two clubs meet once more this regular season, with the final matchup scheduled for Oct. 24 at Mosaic Stadium.
Injuries and depth tested
The Roughriders played without three regular contributors: running back A.J. Ouellette (knee), receiver Samuel Emilus (foot) and defensive halfback Rolan Milligan Jr. (knee). Coach Corey Mace and the medical staff were kept busy through the night as several players required attention.
“We were able to stick together. We came into the game without important pieces — Sam, Rolan, A.J. — and guys had to step up and make plays. We go through the game and it’s bodies dropping everywhere. I’m so proud of these guys.”
The quote came from Mace in post-game remarks, summarising a resilience that carried the Roughriders through a physical contest.
Standouts and statistics
- Tommy Stevens — three rushing touchdowns, crucial in short-yardage situations.
- Trevor Harris — 239 passing yards, one TD and one interception; efficient in key moments.
- Vincent Blanchard — multiple field goals kept the Elks close and provided pressure late.
Receiving production was balanced; Kian Schaffer-Baker and Dhel Duncan-Busby contributed with catches that moved the chains in sustained drives. On the ground, Quali Conley and rights of short-yardage work helped convert on third and short situations.
What this means going forward
The victory keeps Saskatchewan in touch near the top of the West, but it also underlined how thin the roster can be when injuries accumulate. The offensive approach leaned on ground success near the goal line and timely special-teams flips, such as the long kickoff return that set up an early score.
Edmonton will rue missed opportunities and will lean on Blanchard’s leg and Cody Fajardo’s experience as the club looks to maintain division supremacy. Saskatchewan, meanwhile, will hope for recoveries in the coming days and the return of sidelined starters before the club’s next outing.
Saturday’s result was another sign that the West Division will be tightly contested all season. For now, the Roughriders leave Commonwealth with a hard-fought road win and a reminder of the depth required to get through a 19-game CFL slate.
— Wade Cardinal, NEXO RADAR
