Final: Elks 23 Stampeders 18

Eugene Lewis let his coaches know that he was ready to make an impact on Saturday.

The wide receiver did just that as he caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tre Ford with 1:09 remaining in the game to lead the Edmonton Elks to a 23-18 win over the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium.

“I always ask for opportunities,” said Lewis, who also had a rushing touchdown in the second quarter. “I feel as though when I get the opportunities, I just help my team the best way I possibly can.

“There’s many ways where I can change the momentum of the game. All I’m trying to do is help my team get a win and play for the name on my back and the team.”

Backup quarterback Dakota Prukop also ran for a touchdown for the Elks (6-11). Boris Bede kicked a pair of singles for Edmonton, while punter Jake Julien also had one.

Ford completed 23-of-29 passes for 208 yards to go with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Edmonton has defeated Calgary (4-11-1) all three times the provincial rivals played each other this season. The last time the Elks accomplished that feat was in 2002.

“We’re all focused on the small victories right now,” Jackson said. “It’s a big victory, but it’s small in the sense that we’d rather be in the playoffs, but hey, we’ll take running Alberta this year.”

The Stamps built up a 5-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to a safety and a field goal by Rene Paredes before surrendering 17 straight points to the Elks.

“It was tough,” said Calgary quarterback Matt Shiltz, who completed 18-or-33 passes for 215 yards to go with one touchdown and one interception. “I think we started off hot as a team in the first quarter. We kind of had a lull there in the second and the third.

“I was proud of the way we fought back in the fourth, but too many ups and downs I think through the middle portion of the game. We didn’t get the win and that’s the most important thing.”

Calgary led 5-0 after the first quarter, trailed 16-5 at halftime, and 17-5 entering the fourth quarter.

UP NEXT

Elks: Bye week, then host the Toronto Argonauts (9-7) on Friday, Oct. 25.

Stampeders: Visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (6-10) on Friday, Oct. 18.