The host Saskatchewan Roughriders look to defeat the winless Edmonton Elks for the second time this season when the teams meet in Regina on Thursday.
The Roughriders (2-1) benefited from a goal-line stand in the fourth quarter and Brett Lauther kicked three field goals in a 17-13 victory over the Elks on June 11.
Saskatchewan’s defense was taken to task in a 45-27 setback against the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers five days later. The club bounced back with a 29-26 overtime victory over the Calgary Stampeders on June 24 before heading into a bye week.
Shawn Bane Jr., who joined the Roughriders in free agency this past offseason, has stepped up to lead an injury-riddled receiving corps in both catches (15) and receiving yards (245) this season.
“I have been growing into that role (of a leader) and I think it’s looking good so far. Still got a lot to grow on and improve,” Bane told the Regina Leader-Post.
Saskatchewan signed Wesley Lewis this week with fellow receivers Derel Walker, Brayden Lenius, Kian Schaffer-Baker, Juwan Brescacin and Jake Wieneke all sidelined due to injury. Lewis has played in 11 games over the last two seasons with the Ottawa Redblacks.
The Elks (0-4) will look to change their fortune by handing the keys back to quarterback Taylor Cornelius, who watched from the sideline last week as Jarret Doege struggled in a 26-7 setback to Ottawa. Doege was intercepted three times and sacked on four occasions.
“We’re going to start Taylor and Doege’s going to back up. Tre (Ford is) going to be No. 3,” Elks head coach and general manager Chris Jones said Monday. “Just because you’re named the starter, you’ve (still) got to go out and you’ve got to play. You’ve got to do the things necessary to win the game and that’s the most critical position.
“The quarterback probably gets too much praise and he probably gets too much blame.”
Cornelius helped the Elks to their last win — a 26-24 victory over Saskatchewan in Regina on Sept. 16, 2022. He celebrated his birthday by rushing for 93 yards overall and engineering a drive that resulted in the game-winning field goal.
–Field Level Media