Breadcrumb Trail Links
Sports
Football
CFL
The Elks won the battle for net offence, 342 yards to 297 yards, in rainy conditions.
Published Jun 08, 2026 • Last updated 0 minutes ago • 4 minute read
Edmonton Elks running back Justin Rankin.
Edmonton Elks running back Justin Rankin. Photo by Darren Makowichuk /Postmedia
Article content
Far be it for anyone to critique the Edmonton Elks’ first win of the season.
Advertisement 2
Toronto Sun
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
Enjoy additional articles per month.
Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
Enjoy additional articles per month
Get email updates from your favourite authors
Article content
Especially since it came in the first game of the season for the first time since pre-pandemic. Yes, that means the club won its first season opener as the rebranded Elks, winning Game 1 of their schedule for the first time since 2019.
Article content
Article content
Beyond that, it’s also the first game the Elks have won in June over that span, having gotten off to starts of 0-3, 0-9, 0-7 and 0-3 in each of the past four seasons that started on time. Add in an 0-2 start in a COVID-19-shortened 2021 season, and the Elks haven’t won in Week 1 of the schedule since 2019 — which also happens to be the last time the team made the playoffs.
So, go ahead and rejoice, Elks fans. It was a big win. But it had better be the first of many if this team hopes to finally turn its misfortunes around.
A win in Week 1 loses its meaning if they don’t manage to win the next one. Then again, with the way things have been going, the Elks could lose the next one and the one after that and still find themselves ahead of schedule. But just imagine what could be accomplished if they don’t end up having to try and dig themselves out of an early hole this time around.
opening envelope
Your Midday Sun
Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond.
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Thanks for signing up!
A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox.
We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again
Article content
Advertisement 3
Article content
It wasn’t perfect, by any means. But it was a win. And they’ll take it. Here is a breakdown of Edmonton’s 29-21 win over the Ottawa Redblacks at TD Place Stadium on Saturday.
RANKIN ROLL
What. A. Stud.
Justin Rankin was both back in the saddle and the driving force beneath it, beating his hooves for 102 yards on the ground (13 carries with a 7.8-yard average) and a touchdown to go with five receptions for a team-leading 94 yards. Yup, six yards shy of football’s double-triple.
Ninety of those rushing yards came after initial contact, including a 61-yard jailbreak to the house in the fourth quarter. Right when they needed something big to happen, with Ottawa pushing back late.
TURNED-UP TURNOVERS
Edmonton’s defence forced a pair of turnovers-on-downs and came up with two more fumbles to win the turnover battle 4-0.
That’s ball protection. And it is commendable given the slippery conditions on the field.
Yet the Redblacks were still able to go on a potential game-tying drive in the final minute?
Advertisement 4
Article content
SEEING RED (ZONE)
Points came at a premium in the nation’s capital on the weekend. Wet conditions contributed to stalled drives, for sure. But no one in the Elks camp can be happy with four field goals coming out of the red zone.
That’s the difference between a potential 28 points, and settling for 12. Even if half of those ended up in the end zone (one drive ended at Ottawa’s four yard-line), that would have been eight extra points on top of the eight-point difference in the final score, and this one wouldn’t have come down to the wire.
WRAP ‘EM UP
For as hard to handle as the Elks’ star running back was, Elks tacklers had their hands full with his Redblacks counterpart, Daniel Adeboboye.
The 27-year-old native of Mississauga, Ont., forced six missed tackles on his way to 87 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, which was the most by any player in Week 1, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Elks won the battle for net offence, 342 yards to 297 yards, in rainy conditions. But had they been able to hold the handle on Adeboboye, this game wouldn’t have been separated by one score in the dying minutes.
Advertisement 5
Article content
PENALTY PROBLEMS
The Redblacks weren’t exactly squeaky clean, coughing up an entire field worth of 110 penalty yards on 10 infractions.
But the Elks were downright criminal, surrendering 142 penalty yards on 14 flags.
Yes, it’s early in the season, tempers can flare and not everything will go according to plan. But this is something that needs to be nipped in the bud sooner rather than later, when taking penalties has already become part of the unwritten culture and all coaches can do is bang their heads against the wall.
Next up: The Elks drew a short straw with an early bye. But it’s not all bad. They had their share of bumps and bruises to show for this one, including free-agent right guard Coulter Woodmansey, who had to be helped off the field after injuring his right leg with five minutes left in the fourth quarter. Time to rest up for Week 3, when they host the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday, June 20 (2 p.m., TSN, 880 CHED).
E-mail: gmoddejonge@postmedia.com
Advertisement 6
Article content
On X: @StarkRavinMod
Read More
[Edmonton Elks Cody Fajardo runs with the ball against the Calgary Stampeders during CFL preseason action on Friday, May 29, 2026 in Edmonton.
Unlike last year Edmonton Elks going with their best QB to open season](https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/football/cfl/edmonton-elks/edmonton-elks-cody-fajardo-2026-season)
2. [Edmonton Elks' wide receiver Joshua Cephus tries to elude a tackle from Redblacks' A.J. Allen at TD Place on June 6, 2026.
Edmonton Elks win first season-opener in 6 seasons, 29-21, over Ottawa](https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/football/cfl/edmonton-elks/edmonton-elks-win-first-season-opener-in-6-seasons-29-21-over-ottawa)
Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add EdmontonJournal.com and EdmontonSun.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here.
You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun.
Article content
Share this article in your social network
Comments