Edmonton Elks fall short as Roughriders rally to win 29-21 in season opener

In a thrilling Canadian Football League matchup, the Saskatchewan Roughriders staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the Edmonton Elks 29-21 in their home opener on Saturday. The star of the game was Shawn Bane Jr., who reeled in three touchdown passes to lead his team to victory.

Despite a strong start by the Elks, who took an early lead with a field goal from Boris Bede, the Roughriders fought back with determination. Hergy Mayala scored two touchdowns for the Elks, but it was not enough to secure the win as the Roughriders dominated the second half of the game.

Elks head coach Chris Jones expressed his disappointment after the game, emphasizing the need for improvement in running the football and avoiding costly turnovers. Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who previously led the Toronto Argos to a Grey Cup championship, showed flashes of brilliance with a touchdown pass to Mayala.

A pivotal moment in the game came when Elks running back Kevin Brown fumbled the ball, leading to a crucial touchdown for the Roughriders. Head coach Corey Mace, in his first regular-season game as a CFL head coach, praised his team for their resilience and ability to come together in challenging situations.

The game was originally scheduled to coincide with Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final, prompting a time change to avoid a conflict with the Edmonton Oilers’ game. Both teams are looking to improve on their previous season’s performance, with the Roughriders missing the playoffs and the Elks finishing at the bottom of the league.

As the Elks celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Edmonton football franchise, they honored former players and staff during a gala event. The team will now shift their focus to their upcoming game against the Montreal Alouettes, while the Roughriders prepare for a road game against Hamilton.

Overall, the thrilling matchup between the Roughriders and the Elks showcased the competitive spirit and talent of both teams, setting the stage for an exciting CFL season ahead.