OTTAWA – A chance at victory gone with the wind.
Edmonton failed to pick up the win in Interim HC Jarious Jackson’s head coaching debut, falling to the Ottawa RedBlacks by a 20-14 score on Friday night.
The Elks had their chances in the defensive showcase, but the Ottawa wind had its say in the contest. Veteran kicker Boris Bede finished the night 4 for 7 on field goals, with all three of his misses coming on the same end of TD Place. The hidden wind tunnel wreaked havoc all night, causing kicks to wildly sway to the right with Ottawa’s Lewis Ward also missing an attempt due to the breeze.
“I’m sure he’s kicking himself, so I’m not gonna push his head down any further,” Jackson said after the game. “He knows he’s got to make those kicks for us and I think it’s a different ballgame if we make those kicks.”
GAMEDAY ESSENTIALS Full Highlights Box Score Game Preview Post-Game InterviewsEdmonton had their best defensive performance of the season, allowing a season best 20 points on the night — while also forcing three turnovers and three sacks. However, the first real lacklustre performance by the Double E’s offence this season played a part in the team dropping to 0-6 on the season.
“This one hurts, you know, especially when it felt like the defense did a great job tonight,” Jackson said. “They forced them into two turnovers for us, and I think they held them to 70 yards rushing.”
The Elks now head home to take on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Commonwealth Stadium on Sunday, July 28 for their Indigenous Celebration game.
Say it again. HERGY. IS. HIM. @BigPlayHm with the contested catch!#GoElks pic.twitter.com/XMWkxAz8JL
— Edmonton Elks (@GoElks) July 20, 2024
QB CAROUSELThe present and future of Green and Gold quarterbacking all had a hand in the game in Ottawa.
In the first contest of Coach Jackson’s tenure, the former quarterback had all three Elks QBs take the field during the game, with Tre Ford spelling McLeod Bethel-Thompson for a pair of drives early in the contest. The veteran Bethel-Thompson started the game for the Green and Gold and played nearly every other snap of the contest. The 36-year-old finished the game completing 27 of 39 passes for 204 yards and an interception.
“I was trying to get Trey in, trying to help give us a spark,” Jackson said. “We know he’s a little rusty, but I’m still going to try and stick with that. At the same time, I know it kind of threw McLeod off a little bit. Maybe we pressed a little bit here and there, but those guys will get used to it.”
Bethel-Thompson was under pressure throughout the game from a relentless Ottawa front that picked up two sacks, but was in the QBs face all night. As for Ford, the Canadian pivot would only see action on two drives, finishing the gamed 1 of 2 passing for four yards, and a scramble for three yards.
Third string quarterback Dakota Prukop did not take a snap under centre all night, but did contribute with two tackles on special teams.
CREATING TURNOVERS, CAN’T CAPITALIZEEntering the game, the Elks defence was tied for second last in the CFL in interceptions forced (4) and turnovers (9), but they were able to add to those totals against the RedBlacks.
First, it was the secondary that was able to bait Ottawa QB Dru Brown into some mistakes, with Kai Gray hauling in an overthrow in RedBlacks territory. The pick was Gray’s team-high second of the season as he continues to build on his West Division Most Outstanding Rookie campaign from last year.
Two drives later, it would be Darius Bratton’s turn to collect his second interception of the season. The Virginia product undercut Brown’s deep attempt to Jaelon Acklin midway through the second quarter to halt another RedBlacks drive.
Darius Bratton says ????#GoElks
pic.twitter.com/2SeUTM5zT9
— Edmonton Elks (@GoElks) July 20, 2024
DC Jason Shivers defence would force another turnover early in the third quarter. The Elks defensive line was able to stuff short-yardage QB Dustin Crum on the third down attempt, giving the Elks their third forced turnover of the game. Unfortunately for Edmonton they were unable to capitalize on the Ottawa mistakes, picking up only three points on the ensuing drives.
BY THE NUMBERS Eugene Lewis saw a season-high 12 targets on the night, catching seven passes for 74 yards For the fifth game this season running back Kevin Brown was held to single-digit carries in a game Rookie defensive lineman Noah Taylor picked up his first career sack in his first career CFL game
