Elks defence tamps down scoring against heading into Ottawa to face Redblacks

Ottawa Redblacks' William Stanback (31) is tackled by Edmonton Elks' Chelen Garnes (25) during first half CFL action in Edmonton, on Sunday July 6, 2025.

The Edmonton Elks are standing pat on offence and defence heading into Friday’s game against the Ottawa Redblacks.

And for good reason: the Canadian Football League club has won its last two games heading into the 5:30 p.m. MT contest at Ottawa’s TD Place Stadium.

No need to tinker with a winning lineup, especially one that came out of its most recent game — a 28-20 victory over the visiting Toronto Argonauts a week ago — without an injury, unlike the week before when the Elks lost punter Cody Grace long-term because of a knee injury.

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The team’s defence can take credit for some of the Elks’ recent success, having allowed an average of 23 points per game over their last four contests — including its recent wins and close losses to the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, division leaders both — after allowing an average of 34 in their first five.

Elks head coach Mark Kilam said Wednesday the defensive unit “is growing together.”

“The secondary is coming together, which is helping the front. The front is coming together, which is helping the back end,” Kilam told media after practice. “As a group of 12, they’re coming together, and they’re definitely improving.”

Defensive highlights over the recent wins include

• defensive end Brandon Barlow forcing a fumble by Argonauts quarterback Nick Arbuckle late in the third quarter of last week’s Elks win that was recovered by Robbie Smith. Edmonton then marched all the way down the field, culminating in a four-yard TD pass deep into the end zone from quarterback Cody Fajardo to receiver Steven Dunbar Jr.; and
• Tyrell Ford’s touchdown, a career first for the Elks defensive back, after intercepting a pass by Montreal Alouettes quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson’s intended for receiver Charleston Rambo. With the score 13-4 at the time, the 27-year-old promptly ran it 87 yards, cutting Edmonton’s deficit to just two at halftime of the contest on Aug. 9. “That gave the team life,” Kilam said after the road game. “We went into the half feeling a lot more upbeat about what was going on.” The Elks went on to beat the Alouettes 23-22.

The Elks (3-6) come into Friday’s game riding a two-game winning streak and seem to have found their stride with Fajardo under centre. Last week, Edmonton didn’t allow a sack for the first time this season after giving up 27 in their first eight games.

Fajardo, who began the season as backup to Tre Ford, leads all CFL quarterbacks in pass completion percentage (77.5 per cent). In his four starts, he’s completed 98 of 127 passes for 1,165 yards and six touchdowns while tossing two interceptions.

The Redblacks (3-7) have been outscored 143-94 in the opening half through their first 10 games of the CFL season.

Last week, the Redblacks trailed Winnipeg 20-3 at the half but managed to tie the game late in the fourth quarter before losing 30-27 on a late field goal.

Ottawa had a chance to pick up points early in the game and were stopped on the goal line three times.

The Redblacks will be turning to quarterback Dustin Crum once again, with Dru Brown sidelined with a knee injury suffered last week in Winnipeg.

Crum, now in his third year with the Redblacks, has proven he can be effective and was solid stepping in last week, going 11-for-17 for 125 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 21 yards and a touchdown.

“Dustin’s trajectory continues to go up,” Redblacks head coach Bob Dyce said Thursday.

“He goes out there and is running the offence just like (offensive co-ordinator) Tommy (Condell) wants to run it. I thought he did some good things (in Winnipeg) and made some really good throws and some great decisions.”

With files from The Canadian Press