In a game marked by hard-fought defensive efforts, the Saskatchewan Roughriders squeaked out a victory over the Edmonton Elks with a final score of 12-11. This narrow win gives us a lot to dissect about each team’s performance. It’s safe to say, this was not an offensive showcase for either side, but a classic gridiron grind maybe for the wrong reasons. Harris tied the game late but it was a rouge on the following kickoff that sealed the game for the Riders.

The Edmonton Elks’ Effort

The Elks relied on a combination of passing and running, although neither managed to break through the Roughriders’ stubborn defense. Starting QB Taylor Cornelius went 17/29 with 226 yards. However, his efforts didn’t yield a passing touchdown and were marred by an interception. The rushing game fared slightly better, with Kevin Brown leading the way with 15 carries for 65 yards. Cornelius himself contributed on the ground, rushing for 58 yards and scoring the Elks’ sole touchdown of the game.

In the receiving department, Kyran Moore led the team with 5 receptions for 47 yards. The next closest receiver, Steven Dunbar Jr., managed 49 yards on three receptions. Despite these efforts, the Elks failed to secure a receiving touchdown, leaving them one point short of victory.

On the defensive side, Mark McLaurin led the Elks with six defensive tackles, while A.C. Leonard contributed three quarterback sacks. The Elks’ defense kept them in the game, holding the Roughriders to just one touchdown.

Saskatchewan Roughriders Triumph

QB Trevor Harris led the Roughriders with 19 completions on 29 attempts for 289 yards, a touchdown, and one interception. The ground game was led by Jamal Morrow, who ran for 52 yards on 11 carries. Harris also showed some mobility, adding 13 yards on the ground.

Mitchell Picton emerged as the standout receiver, catching all four targets for 76 yards and the team’s only touchdown. Tevin Jones and Samuel Emilus contributed to the passing game, with each hauling in multiple receptions and accumulating 60 and 63 yards, respectively.

On the defensive end, the Roughriders shined. Larry Dean led the way with nine defensive tackles, while C.J. Reavis added eight. Nick Marshall’s interception was a key play that helped stifle the Elks’ offensive efforts. The Roughriders’ defense came up big, allowing only one touchdown and generally stifling the Elks’ attempts to establish a rhythm.

The Takeaway

This game was a testament to the defensive prowess of both teams. While the offenses struggled to find the endzone, defensive stars emerged, like Mark McLaurin for the Elks and Larry Dean for the Roughriders. It’s games like these that remind us that football isn’t always about flashy passes and long runs – sometimes, it’s the gritty defensive battles that determine the victor. This time, the Roughriders managed to come out on top.