Riders Top Elks 28-24, Headed To The Playoffs

EDMONTON –– Trevor Harris passed for 358 yards and two touchdowns as the Saskatchewan Roughriders clinched a post-season berth with a 28-24 victory over the Edmonton Elks on Saturday.

It was the third win in a row for Saskatchewan (8-7-1) which had missed out on the CFL playoffs the two previous campaigns. The Roughriders have triumphed in their past seven games at Commonwealth Stadium, dating back to 2019.

It was the third straight loss for the Elks (5-11-0) who still have the slimmest of hopes of making the playoffs through a crossover thanks to Hamilton’s 31-10 loss to Winnipeg on Friday.

NOTES

It was the third and final meeting between the two teams this season. Saskatchewan won the opening game of the season 29-21 in Edmonton. The Elks bounced back on Aug. 3 in Regina, winning 42-31. … Elks running back Leake broke out with a 169-yard and three touchdown performance in that last game against Saskatchewan, and was back in the lineup on Saturday after missing the last two games with a thigh injury … The Elks also welcomed defensive back Darrius Bratton back into the fold. … Saskatchewan also had a key defensive back return in C. J. Reavis. … With Shawn Bane Jr. sidelined, receiver Jerreth Sterns returned to the Roughriders’ starting lineup. … Elks punter Jake Julien is on pace to shatter the CFL record for punt average. He came into the game averaging 54.4 yards. The record is 50.6 yards. … Thirteen of the previous 14 games between the two squads were decided in the final three minutes.

UP NEXT

Roughriders: Host the B.C. Lions (8-8) on Saturday, Oct. 12.

Elks: Visit the Calgary Stampeders (4-10-1) on Saturday, Oct. 12.

(Canadian Press)