The Edmonton Elks handed the Saskatchewan Roughriders their second loss of 2026 36-34 in a game filled with emotion from before the opening kickoff. Prior to kickoff, the team and over 28,000 fans paused to remember the lives of Riders’ linebacker Jayden Dalke and 22-year-old Regina man Bhishma Rajyaguru – who both died in a two-vehicle collision Saturday night. Video tributes for both men played on the video board during the pregame to honour their lives and mark the importance to friends, family, teammates and community. After that, the class of the West Division through eight weeks went to work – combing for 70 points, 1,008 yards of offense and trading the lead nine times. The 60-minute match coming down to the final seconds. On the final play of the game, Elks’ kicker Vincent Blanchard split the uprights on a 57-yard field goal to win the ball game in walk-off fashion. The game-winning drive highlighted by a 20-yard completion from Elks’ quarterback Cody Fajardo on 3rd and 10 to extend the drive. From the very beginning of the contest, the battle for best in the West was a heavyweight bout. The Elks jumped out in front to begin the game, as Fajardo led a 7-play, 65-yard touchdown drive on Edmonton’s opening possession to take an early 7-0 lead. Saskatchewan would be forced to punt on its first drive on the contest, but they used the turn of possession to offer one final homage to Dalke. The Riders ran onto the field with just 11 players – leaving the position which Dalke usually set up on punts open in a ‘missing man’ formation. Edmonton declined the ensuing time count violation penalty and play continued. Then Trevor Harris and the offense went to work. Beginning in the shadow of their own goal post at the two-yard-line, Harris would march down the field – needing just five plays to go the 108 yards. Receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker made two receptions for 73 yards on the drive – including a series capping 38-yard catch and run for Saskatchewan’s first major of the game. The Riders continued to press to open the second quarter. This time, Harris found Sam Emilus for a seven-yard pass in the endzone to tie a bow on a seven-play, 69-yard touchdown drive. However, the Elks would counter immediately. A 68-yard pass from Fajardo to Kaion Julien-Grant took a big chunk out of the field for Edmonton – getting them to the redzone. The Elks would reach the endzone two plays later on a 12-yard TD pass from Fajardo to tie the game at 14 apiece. After Edmonton added a field goal to retake the lead with around two minutes to go in the first half, Saskatchewan marched down the field 69 yards to take regain possession of the lead. A two-yard pass from Harris to KeeSean Johnson gave the Riders a four-point lead, 21-17, at the break. In the first half alone, the three headed aerial attack of Schaffer-Baker, Emilus and Johnson all had touchdown receptions. Harris has also thrown multiple TD passes in each of his first five games this season. On Saskatchewan’s first possession of the second half, a Harris interception throw led to an Elks field goal as Edmonton drew within a point. The Riders would be forced to punt on the ensuing drive but pinned the Elks inside their own 20. Fajardo would lead another long scoring drive – including two big plays of 20 or more yards – to give Edmonton their third lead of the night. The 93-yard TD drive finished off by a 23-yard pass into the endzone to Austin Mack – Fajardo third TD pass of the night – and an Elks lead. Saskatchewan answered right back with a touchdown of their own – this time driving 78 yards for the score as the lead swapped hands again. This time, Harris finding Dehl Duncan-Busby in the endzone for the major. It is the first time since 2017 a Roughrider quarterback has had multiple touchdown passes to four different receivers in a game. That year, Kevin Glenn did it twice in a month span. Except this offensive onslaught by both teams continuing. Fajardo needed one play to give the Elks the lead again, as an 81-yard catch and throw to Mack reestablished Edmonton’s lead at 33-28. The Elks would attempt to go for two on the convert, but Fajardo threw the ball into the upright – nearly identically to what happened in the 2019 West Final, when he was the quarterback for the Roughriders. Saskatchewan added a field goal to draw back within two, but on the next Elks’ offensive possession, Fajardo fumbled the football on a snap. It was recovered by the Riders’ defense and returned inside the Edmonton 25-yard-line to give the offense a very short field. Saskatchewan believed they had taken the lead on Harris’ pass to Emilus, but it was called back due to pass interference on the Riders’ receiver. Attempting a field goal to give the Riders the lead again, kicker Alex Hale missed from 46 yards out and the score remained 33-31 Edmonton. The Saskatchewan defense would back their kicker right up. Facing third and less than a yard, the defensive line stuffed short-yardage pivot Cole Snyder short of the first down marker – another turnover on downs and Rider football at the 27-yard-line. The offense, however, could not capitalize on the short field and settled for a field goal. The lead changed hands again with Saskatchewan up 34-33 with 1:46 remaining in the contest. Blanchard’s dagger ended the game shortly after. Saskatchewan falls to 4-2, while Edmonton improvs to 6-1 and takes sole possession off top spot in the division. The two teams will face off again next week at Commonwealth Stadium Saturday, Aug. 1. Lives remembered The Saskatchewan Roughriders held a moment of silence and paid tribute to teammate Jayden Dalke and 22-year-old Bhishma Rajyaguru, who were both killed in a two vehicle collision last weekend. Dalke and Rajyagura were both killed in a head-on collision on the evening of July 18 on Highway 1 east of Lumsden after the SUV Rajyaguru was driving was struck by a Dalke’s SUV travelling into oncoming traffic. Both were declared dead at the scene. The Riders announced earlier this week the team would honour Rajyaguru before their game Thursday night against the Elks. Tributes included an in memoriam and video tribute to both men. “Bhishma’s presence left a lasting impression all who had the privilege of knowing him,” Riders PA announcer Chris Hodges said as part of Rajyaguru’s honouring. “We hold Bhishama’s family, the Rajyaguru’s in India, his father Ashish, his mother Poorvi and his sister Heer in our hearts during this incredibly difficult time.” Fans in attendance gave an emotional standing ovation to Rajyaguru immediately following the video’s playing. Dalke, who was 30 years old, was signed by Saskatchewan in May 2022. The Leduc, Alta., athlete appeared in 68 career regular season games over five seasons with club. “Jayden was deeply loved by his teammates for his hard work, his positive attitude and commitment to those around him,” said Hodges about Dalke. “He was proud to be a Saskatchewan Roughrider and his loss will be felt deeply by all who knew him.” A tribute video then highlighted Dalke’s time with team both on and off the field. Clips from teammates and team management noted their love for Dalke over his time with the Riders. “He was the person that was the glue of our team,” fellow Linebacker Jameer Thurman said in the video, a quote he made Monday. “You guys make it a pleasure to come to work; there’s no one I’d rather do it with,” Dalke was shown saying in the video. “[Jayden] was someone who loved what he was doing,” said general manager and VP of Football operations Jeremy O’Day. Each of the Roughriders’ obsidian helmets included a ‘JD’ sticker on the back. In tribute to their teammate, multiple players before warmups wore Dalke’s ‘38’ on the field, with many more sporting a bandana on their heads – Dalke’s signature. A few fans even donned Dalke’s jersey at the game.
