Stevens helps Riders edge West-leading Elks 28-26 in front of 31,757 fans in Edmonton

“We just couldn’t get in an offensive flow throughout the first half,” said Riders starting quarterback Trevor Harris. “I thought we really responded toward the end of the game, though. When we needed drives our receivers really stepped up.

“When push came to shove, I felt we made the plays we needed.”

The first-place Elks, who haven’t made the playoffs since 2019, dropped to 6-2.

“Penalties caught up to us in this one,” said Elks head coach Mark Kilam. “They made more plays, full credit to them. It was two good football teams going at it. We gave ourselves a chance, but we weren’t clean enough at the end.

“I’d like to get our running game going a little more and score touchdowns in the red zone — I think that was a big part of this game.”

The game was a rematch from last week when Edmonton’s Vincent Blanchard nailed a career-best 57-yard field goal on the final play to give the Elks a 36-34 road victory in a classic contest. The two teams meet again on the final week of the season on Oct. 24 in Regina.

The Elks had a strong start to this game, scoring on a competent opening drive as Justin Rankin fought his way through the middle for a three-yard touchdown.

The Riders came flying back on their first possession as an 87-yard kickoff return by Johnny Johnson set up a one-yard TD plunge by Stevens.

Edmonton regained the lead to start the second quarter on a 24-yard Blanchard field goal.

Saskatchewan quickly responded with another one-yard major by Stevens.

Blanchard kicked a 44-yard field goal to pull Edmonton to within a point at the half.

After a weather delay of more than an hour, Riders kicker Alex Hale missed a 42-yard field goal attempt five minutes into the third.

The Elks bounced back with a 13-yard field goal from Blanchard to inch ahead 16-14.

Edmonton looked to have made a huge defensive stand when they forced a Stevens’ fumble at its own one-yard line, but it turned out they had too many men, leading to Stevens’ third one-yard TD of the game. The two-point convert was stopped.

Blanchard kicked a 22-yard field goal with 10:20 remaining in the fourth.

Saskatchewan quarterback Trevor Harris came back with a strong drive, capped off by a four-yard pass into the end zone to KeeSean Johnson and a two-point convert toss to him as well to give the Riders a 28-19 lead.

The Elks kept fighting, as quarterback Cody Fajardo hit Rankin for a 51-yard gain and then completed the drive with a four-yard TD pass to TJ Luther with 4:36 remaining.

However, Saskatchewan was able to run out the clock.

In their previous meeting, the teams combined for 70 points, 896 passing yards, 974 total yards, eight touchdowns and eight lead changes

“This one seemed a little bit more old school,” Mace said. “The other one looked like a seven-on-seven game. It just goes to show that both teams can find different ways to get in positions to win games. A shout-out to everybody tonight. We truly needed every person on this roster to make plays tonight.”

NOTES

The Riders were without running back AJ Ouellette, who sat out with a knee injury. … The Elks’ recent stronger play led to a better crowd as 31,757 attended the contest.

UP NEXT

Roughriders: Host the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday.

Elks: Visit the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday, Aug. 8.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2026.

Shane Jones, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Stevens helps Riders edge West-leading Elks 28-26 in front of 31,757 fans in Edmonton

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