In the loss, the Roughriders had no answer for Elks’ quarterback Tre Ford and running back Javon Leake
In front of 29,655 fans inside Mosaic Stadium, the Elks ran for 276 yards and threw for 252 more, led by Canadian quarterback Tre Ford, who was making his first start of the year in Week 9 of the CFL season.
Elks’ running back Javon Leake — also making his first start of the season — recorded 169 rushing yards on 12 carries with three touchdowns.
Saskatchewan, meanwhile, had just one first down in the first quarter before ending up with 392 yards of offence in the loss, which dropped Saskatchewan’s record to 5-3. The Elks improved to 1-7.
The game started with a bang as Saskatchewan’s Mario Alford returned the opening kickoff 101 yards to put the Riders up just 14 seconds into the game.
After the Elks responded with a 25-yard field goal on their opening drive to make it 7-3, Riders’ kicker Brett Lauther missed a 42-yard field goal on Saskatchewan’s first offensive drive of the game as the Elks conceded the single point to make it 8-3.
On the next series, after Ford connected with receiver Eugene Lewis for a 35-yard gain, Boris Bede made his second field goal of the night for Edmonton from 37 yards out to make it 8-6.
After a two-and-out by Saskatchewan, Ford hit former Tevin Jones for a 93-yard touchdown pass as the former Riders’ receiver beat Saskatchewan defensive back DaMarcus Fields on the route. With the convert, Edmonton took the 13-8 lead after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Ford and the Elks marched it down to the Saskatchewan’s eight-yard line before coming on to attempt a field goal. However, Riders’ linebacker C.J. Reavis jumped offside, giving Edmonton a fresh set of downs.
And on the next play, the Elks made them pay for that as Leake punched it in from four yards out to make it 20-8 Edmonton with the convert.
On Saskatchewan’s fifth drive of the game, Patterson engineered a 10-play, 83-yard drive, with six first downs, capped off by the quarterback plunging into the end zone from one yard out to make it 20-15 with the convert.
In the second half, after a 46-yard punt return from Alford, Patterson connected with KeeSean Johnson for a 26-yard gain before hitting Ajou Ajou for a 26-yard touchdown just two plays later to put the Riders up 21-20, as the two-point convert attempt was unsuccessful.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Elks took back the lead as Leake sprung into the end zone untouched from 51 yards out. A successful two-point convert gave Edmonton the 28-21 lead.
Looking to respond, Patterson marched the Riders down the field before going back to Ajou in the end zone. The big receiver made the catch but was ruled out of bounds. Saskatchewan challenged the call, but the play stood, as the Riders came away with a field goal to cut the lead to 28-24 with 6:36 remaining.
With 2:20 left in the game, Edmonton went up by two scores as Leake broke free and ran 61 yards into the end zone for his second touchdown of the game to put the Elks up 35-24 with the convert.
On Saskatchewan’s next possession, Patterson was intercepted by Kordell Jackson, putting the Elks back in scoring range.
Two plays later, Ford hit Jones over the middle for his second touchdown of the night as Edmonton took a 42-24 lead with the convert.
Saskatchewan added a late touchdown as Patterson hit Mitch Picton in the end zone to make it a 42-31 final with the convert.
The Riders will now look to rebound on a short week as they are set to visit the Ottawa Redblacks on Thursday in Week 10.
More to come…
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