Elks snap playoff drought with win over Stampeders

Joe Robustelli caught a pair of touchdown passes as the Edmonton Elks clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2019 with a 53-16 rout over the rival Calgary Stampeders in the Labour Day rematch on Saturday.

Edmonton, which won its fourth game in a row to improve to 10-3, ended its longest post-season drought in club history, snapping a five-year run of futility that was their worst since the 1960s.

The Stampeders, who allowed the Elks to score 24 fourth-quarter points last week en route to a 38-28 victory in the Labour Day Classic in Calgary, have lost two straight to remain last in the West at 5-8.

Calgary quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. was picked off on his team’s second possession by Nick Anderson, allowing the Elks to take a 3-0 lead on a 32-yard Vincent Blanchard field goal.

Aided by a long pass interference call, the Stampeders surged ahead on a 13-yard pass into the end zone from Adams to Erik Brooks.

A long interception return by Tyrell Ford led to Edmonton clawing back with a 42-yard Blanchard field goal.

Edmonton took a 13-7 lead with just over three minutes to play in the second quarter as a big passing play from Cody Fajardo to rookie ShunDerrick Powell set up a one-yard TD plunge by third-string QB Cole Snyder.

The Elks expanded their lead to 12 points with one minute to play in the second frame as Robustelli reeled in a 22-yard touchdown pass from Fajardo. The convert kick failed.

Calgary kicker Rene Paredes nailed a 38-yard field goal to end the half with Edmonton up 19-10.

Unfortunately for the Elks, running back Justin Rankin left the game with a first-half injury and didn’t return.

Edmonton came out flying in the third as they capped off a solid drive with an impressive 35-yard TD catch by Joshua Cephus.

The Elks got a huge play late in the third as Silas Hubert blocked a punt in the end zone and picked it up himself for the defensive TD and a 36-13 lead.

Calgary promptly fumbled the ball away on its own 46, eventually leading to an 18-yard TD pass from Fajardo to Robustelli.

Edmonton continued the beating midway through the final quarter as backup QB Taylor Powell hit Zach Mathis for a 15-yard TD strike.