The Saskatchewan Roughriders emerged victorious in their preseason clash against the Edmonton Elks on Saturday, securing a narrow 28-27 win. Brett Lauther’s crucial 23-yard field goal with just 23 seconds remaining proved to be the deciding factor in the hard-fought contest.
McLeod Bethel-Thompson made his debut for the Elks, showcasing his experience with 190 passing yards before being replaced by Tre Ford in the second half. The Roughriders’ offense, led by Mason Fine, also displayed efficiency, with Fine throwing a touchdown pass and completing 9 of 11 pass attempts.
Both teams showcased offensive capabilities, but the Elks’ repeated turnovers, including five fumbles, ultimately hindered their chances of victory. The Roughriders took advantage of these miscues, with Kosi Onyeka returning a fumble for a touchdown and Antoine Brooks, Jr. recording a pick-six.
The Elks maintained an offensive edge, outgaining Saskatchewan in total yards, but their inability to protect the ball proved costly. Boris Bede, who recently joined the Elks, and Dean Faithful contributed with successful field goal attempts, while Vincent Blanchard added a 47-yard field goal for the Elks. Lauther converted two field goals for the Roughriders, along with three extra points and a single.
This victory marks the conclusion of the Roughriders’ two-game preseason slate, where they emerged undefeated with a 2-0 record. The Elks, on the other hand, have one more preseason game remaining, where they will face the B.C. Lions in Vancouver on Friday. The regular season for both teams is set to commence in a few weeks, where they will look to build upon their preseason performances and compete for CFL supremacy.
