The Edmonton Elks and Hamilton Tiger-Cats both aim to secure their first win of the season at the other’s expense on Friday night when the struggling teams meet in Hamilton, Ontario.
While the Elks find themselves at 0-3 this season after a dismal 3-11 finish in 2021, the Tiger-Cats’ start to the campaign may raise an eyebrow considering they fell just short of winning the Grey Cup last year.
Hamilton fell to Winnipeg in that clash in December and once again lost to the Blue Bombers last Friday in a Grey Cup rematch, 26-12. Dane Evans completed 25 of 42 passes for 237 yards and two interceptions for the Tiger-Cats (0-3).
“Even with the losses, we’ve been getting better,” Evans said. “… We’re starting to establish some of our foundation. We’re going back to the fundamentals. We’re getting things right. We had a great week of work. We know Edmonton is not going to give it to us. We don’t expect them to do that. We have to go earn this thing.”
Like Evans, Edmonton’s Nick Arbuckle has thrown a CFL co-leading six interceptions. He was picked off once last Saturday as the Elks let a 10-point lead slip away in a 30-23 loss to the provincial-rival Calgary Stampeders.
Emmanuel Arceneaux reeled in seven receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown last week for Edmonton. The 34-year-old has caught 12 of 13 passes for 204 yards.
“Everybody makes the jokes: ‘Hey, you still playing? You still around? You drink from the fountain of youth?’ Arceneaux said, per the Edmonton Sun.
“But it’s just about putting in the work, man.”
The Elks will see a familiar face in their clash versus the Tiger-Cats after trading offensive lineman Colin Kelly to Hamilton for a seventh-round draft pick. Kelly, 32, spent parts of four seasons with Edmonton.
–Field Level Media