ELKS UPSET ARGOS 13-7

TORONTO – Rookie Taylor Cornelius ran for a touchdown as the Edmonton Elks snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 13-7 win over the Toronto Argonauts on Tuesday night.

Cornelius drove Edmonton 29 yards on seven plays, setting up Sean Whyte’s 35-yard field goal at 11:57 of the fourth that put the visitors ahead 13-7. The former Oklahoma State star claimed his first CFL win in his seventh career start for the Elks (3-10), who were coming off a 29-24 road loss Saturday to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

But it wasn’t exactly a stellar performance by Cornelius, who was 15-of-32 passing for 160 yards and three interceptions. And while the game often had the feel of an exhibition contest, Edmonton earned its first victory since 32-20 decision over the Calgary Stampeders on Sept. 6.

The contest was originally scheduled for Aug. 26 but was postponed due to COVID-19 issues and rescheduled for Tuesday night. It attracted an announced gathering of 6,247 at BMO Field on a night when the Toronto Maple Leafs hosted the Nashville Predators and Canada faced Mexico in a men’s World Cup qualifying soccer contest in Edmonton.

Edmonton earned a fourth straight win over Toronto and fifth in six meetings. The Elks complete their season Friday night visiting the B.C. Lions.

Toronto (9-5) suffered its first home defeat (6-1) and had a three-game win streak halted. But the Argos had already cemented top spot in the East Division so most of their veterans, including starter McLeod Bethel-Thompson, didn’t play.

(The Canadian Press/Photo: Edmonton Elks)