The Saskatchewan Roughriders kicked off their regular season with a thrilling 29-21 victory over the Edmonton Elks at home on Saturday night.
The Roughriders, who finished second in the West Division last season, showed their determination to start the new season on a high note. Despite a slow start, they managed to rally back and secure the win in front of their home crowd at Mosaic Stadium.
The Elks, formerly known as the Edmonton Eskimos, came into the game with a new name and a new head coach in Jaime Elizondo. They started off strong, taking an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter. However, the Roughriders’ defense stepped up and shut down the Elks’ offense for the rest of the quarter.
In the second quarter, the Roughriders’ offense came alive, with quarterback Cody Fajardo leading the charge. Fajardo, who was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2019, showed why he is considered one of the league’s top quarterbacks. He completed 18 of 22 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 45 yards and a touchdown.
The Elks’ defense struggled to contain Fajardo and the Roughriders’ offense, allowing them to score 17 unanswered points in the second quarter. The Elks’ offense, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm and were held scoreless in the second quarter.
In the third quarter, the Elks managed to find their footing and put up 14 points, cutting the Roughriders’ lead to just three points. However, the Roughriders’ defense held strong in the fourth quarter, allowing only a single field goal by the Elks.
The Roughriders’ offense continued to dominate, with Fajardo connecting with receiver Kyran Moore for a 61-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. The Elks tried to mount a comeback, but the Roughriders’ defense held strong and secured the victory.
The Roughriders’ head coach, Craig Dickenson, praised his team’s resilience and ability to come back from an early deficit. “We knew it was going to be a tough game, but our guys never gave up and kept fighting until the end,” he said in a post-game interview.
The Roughriders will look to continue their winning ways as they head on the road to face the Ottawa Redblacks next week. Meanwhile, the Elks will try to bounce back from their season opener loss as they host the Montreal Alouettes.
