The Edmonton Elks saw their perfect 3-0 start to the Canadian Football League season come to an abrupt end Saturday, falling 36-24 to the previously winless B.C. Lions at Kelowna's Apple Bowl.
Elks' dream start shattered
It was as much a must-win game as it gets in Week 5 of the CFL, and the loss leaves the Elks sharing first place in the West Division with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. However, the defeat raises questions about whether Edmonton's early success was genuine or a product of facing weak opponents. Two of the three teams the Elks had beaten have combined for just one win so far this season.
Despite the setback, Edmonton remains far ahead of where they began each of the past four seasons. The loss is particularly bitter given that a win Saturday could have set up three consecutive games against winless opponents.
Lions' dominance continues
The Lions have now won 13 of the past 14 games against Edmonton dating back to 2011. Quarterback Nathan Rourke improved his personal record against the Elks to 7-0, completing 27 of 36 passes for 320 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Running back James Butler added 135 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, plus 27 yards on three catches.
B.C. won the turnover battle 4-2 and outgained Edmonton 475 yards to 416 yards. The Lions now head into a bye week before a rematch in Edmonton on July 17.
Fajardo's efforts not enough
Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo completed 34 of 51 passes for 495 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. League-leading rusher Justin Rankin was held to just 17 yards on nine carries, though he added 100 yards on 10 catches. Austin Mack led all receivers with 140 yards and a touchdown on eight catches.
"We didn't execute when we needed to," Fajardo said after the game. "Turnovers killed us, and against a team like B.C., you can't give them extra chances."
Scoring summary
The Lions opened the scoring with a seven-play, 56-yard drive capped by a one-yard touchdown run by fullback Zander Horvath. Edmonton answered with an interception by linebacker Dariel Djabome that set up an eight-yard touchdown reception by Kaion Julien-Grant. A missed point-after by Vincent Blanchard left the score 7-6.
B.C. extended its lead to 10-6 with a red-zone field goal by Sean Whyte. Edmonton took a 14-10 lead on a four-yard touchdown pass to Julien-Grant for his second of the game, followed by a two-point convert catch by T.J. Luther. The Lions regained the lead 16-14 after a three-yard touchdown run by Butler, though Whyte's point-after was blocked by Noah Curtis.
A five-play, 62-yard drive ending in a four-yard touchdown run by Butler pushed the B.C. lead to 23-14. The Lions then recorded their first interception of the season, by defensive back Jackson Findlay, leading to a 33-yard Whyte field goal that made it 26-14.
"We knew they were going to come out hungry," Elks head coach Jarious Jackson said. "They're a good team despite their record, and they showed it today."
