Elks Edge Past Roughriders in Thrilling 36-34 Victory
Quarterback Cody Fajardo delivered a career‑defining performance, throwing for 510 yards and four touchdowns as the Edmonton Elks rallied to defeat the Saskatchewan Roughriders 36-34 at Mosaic Stadium.
Key Performances
Fajardo’s 510‑yard passing night and four scoring passes highlighted his dominance, while kicker Vincent Blanchard capped the comeback with a 57‑yard field goal as time expired.
Receiver Austin Mack complemented Fajardo with 173 receiving yards on four catches, including a 57‑yard touchdown late in the third quarter and an 81‑yard strike that answered a Roughriders’ go‑ahead score.
Other Elks contributors included Brendan O’Leary‑Orange, who caught a 16‑yard touchdown pass, and Javon Leake, who added a 12‑yard touchdown reception.
For the Roughriders, quarterback Trevor Harris completed 26 of 36 passes for 386 yards and four touchdowns, while Kian Schaffer‑Baker recorded eight catches for 185 yards.
Game Flow and Turning Points
The contest featured seven lead changes, underscoring the back‑and‑forth nature of the matchup.
Early in the third quarter, Fajardo and Mack’s 57‑yard touchdown gave the Elks a 27‑21 advantage, but the Roughriders responded to regain the lead.
A swift 81‑yard touchdown connection between Fajardo and Mack put Edmonton ahead 33‑28, a momentum swing that proved crucial.
Saskatchewan kicker Alex Hale narrowed the gap with a 48‑yard field goal, then missed a 46‑yard attempt that was returned to the Edmonton 20‑yard line by Javon Leake.
After Hale’s 11‑yard field goal made it 33‑31, Fajardo drove the Elks to the Saskatchewan 50‑yard line, setting up Blanchard’s decisive 57‑yard kick.
Coach’s Praise
Head coach Mark Kilam lauded Fajardo’s resilience, describing him as a “warrior” who fought through adversity in the third quarter and kept his composure under pressure.
Kilam emphasized the team’s refusal to give up, noting that the Elks “play with heart, play for each other, and play hard,” qualities that helped them overcome late‑game setbacks.
Tribute to Fallen Players
The game unfolded just days after a tragic two‑vehicle accident claimed the lives of Riders linebacker Jayden Dalke and Bhishma Rajyaguru, a 22‑year‑old from Regina.
A moment of silence honoring both victims was observed before kickoff, and Riders quarterback Trevor Harris acknowledged the emotional weight of the week, praising the organization’s tribute and the team’s determination to compete.
Looking Ahead
Upcoming Matchup
The Elks will host the Saskatchewan Roughriders again on Saturday, August 1st, offering a chance for Edmonton to further solidify its position atop the West Division.
