Heartbreaking: Elks remain winless after loss to host
The Ottawa Redblacks remained undefeated at TD Place with a 20-14 win over the winless Edmonton Elks on Friday night.
With the victory, the Redblacks improved their record to 4-2 for the CFL season, matching their total wins from last year, and maintained a perfect 3-0 record at home this season. Meanwhile, the Elks fell to 0-6 and continue to struggle despite having interim coach Jarious Jackson.
Quarterback Dru Brown went 22-for-33 for 257 yards but threw two interceptions.
Field goal kicker Lewis Ward played a crucial role for the Redblacks, converting 4-of-5 attempts, with his longest being a 48-yarder.
The Elks’ Boris Bede had a challenging night, missing three of his seven field goal attempts, while McLeod Bethel-Thompson completed 27-of-39 passes for 206 yards and one interception.
Ward made a 45-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter, and Bede’s 19-yard field goal kept the Elks within striking distance, closing the score to 20-14.
Ottawa’s drive stalled due to a procedure penalty, but Ward’s 28-yard kick extended their lead to 17-11 at the end of the third quarter.
Bede missed a field goal early in the third quarter, leading to Edmonton settling for a single point and adding another single on a punt shortly after, narrowing the gap to 14-11.
The game began with the Redblacks scoring a touchdown on a seven-play drive, with Ryquell Armstead running in a three-yard TD.
The first half primarily featured field goals. Bede got Edmonton on the board with a 34-yard kick, making it 7-3. Ward missed a 47-yard attempt, settling for a single, while Bede made a 39-yard kick to put the score at 8-6. Ward later redeemed himself with a 48-yard field goal, but Bede missed a 48-yard attempt, allowing Tobias Harris to return the ball to Edmonton’s 54-yard line. Ottawa could not capitalize, and Brown was intercepted shortly after.
Late in the second quarter, Ottawa reached the four-yard line but had to settle for a field goal, while Edmonton closed the half with a field goal to make it 14-9.
Harris needed assistance off the field after an awkward fall late in the fourth quarter.