Late TD lifts Elks to win over Alouettes

Edmonton Elks' Kaion Julien-Grant (11) celebrates with teammates after he scores during second half CFL action against the Montreal Alouettes in Montreal on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025.

MONTREAL – Cody Fajardo and Kaion Julien-Grant joined forces to haunt their former Montreal Alouettes teammates Friday night at Percival Molson Stadium.

The Edmonton Elks teammates connected twice for touchdowns in the fourth quarter, the last major score from quarterback Fajardo to receiver Julien-Grant coming with 15 seconds left, to give the visitors a 23-22 victory.

The Alouettes’ (5-4) defence had been solid up to that point, but the Elks (2-6) found a way to break through at the very end to win their first road game of the season.

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Travis Theis, on a spectacular 80-yard punt return, and Cole Spieker — Montreal’s first offensive touchdown in more than two games — scored for the Alouettes, who also saw kicker Jose Maltos-Diaz make field goals of 34, 42, and 53 yards.

The Elks’ offence came from touchdowns by defensive back Tyrell Ford, on an interception return of a horrible pass by McLeod Bethel-Thompson, and twice by Julien-Grant. Kicker Vincent Blanchard made a 12-yard field goal, but missed a 54-yarder.

Bethel-Thompson, who talked all week about delivering a worthy performance, failed to live up to expectations and was replaced after two quarters, completing 10 of 15 passes for just 79 yards and a costly interception.

Caleb Evans did more in relief, but it wasn’t enough for the Alouettes, who must hope for a quick return from Davis Alexander.

Late in the first quarter, Theis brought the stadium to life. With the Elks trapped deep in their own territory and forced to punt, Theis returned the ball 80 yards for the game’s first major and made it 10-1. It was the first career touchdown for the running back, who was used as a returner on Friday, as well as the Alouettes’ first kick return this season.

The Alouettes then drove to the Elks’ 28-yard line and, with a second down and 10 yards to go, looked poised to at least score a field goal. That’s when Bethel-Thompson gave the visitors a boost.

His pass to Charleston Rambo fell just six yards short, directly into the hands of Ford. Ford juggled the ball, but he found himself facing an empty field when he finally got a grip on it. He returned it 87 yards, and the Alouettes headed into the locker room with the score 13-11.

Evans replaced Bethel-Thompson early in the third quarter. The offence then regained some momentum, enough for it to score its first touchdown in 138 minutes and 14 seconds, since the second quarter in Calgary against the Stampeders two weeks ago.

As in Calgary, it was Spieker who caught a pass, a 19-yard play in the end zone. Despite Maltos-Diaz’s missed one-point conversion, the Alouettes were able to breathe a little easier.

Once again, the defence came to the offence’s rescue. On the next drive, they knocked down two Fajardo passes to force a punt. When the Elks regained possession, a Shawn Lemon sack pushed the visitors back to a second down and 28 yards.

Blanchard then missed the 54-yard field goal try, but as he came out of the end zone with the ball, Tyler Snead was hit hard, losing the ball, which the Elks recovered at the eight-yard line. Snead was left prone on the play.

Fajardo didn’t ask for more. Two plays later, he connected with Julien-Grant for a two-yard touchdown to bring the Elks within two points.

Then, with 15 seconds left on the clock, Fajardo connected with Julien-Grant again for the game-winning touchdown.

By Frédéric Daigle in Montreal