Elks clinch playoff spot in Battle of Alberta rematch win over Stamps

CFL | American Football | 09/13/2026

Photo: Paul Swanson/CFL.ca

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Elks were in full control on Saturday night, defeating the Calgary Stampeders 53-16 in the Battle of Alberta rematch. The Elks clinched a playoff spot as they swept the home-and-home series with their rivals.

After what was a close first half in the third game of the Forty Creek Quadruple Header, the Elks went to work in the second half, outscoring Calgary 34-6 in the final two quarters.

Edmonton’s defence had three takeaways in the win, with Nick Anderson and Tyrell Ford notching interceptions and Kordell Jackson having a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Special teams got in on the turnover action as well, with a blocked punt that was recovered for a touchdown by Silas Hubert. Plus, there was a Stampeders turnover on downs late in the fourth quarter. Mark Kilam’s group scored 20 points off turnovers in the contest.

Cody Fajardo threw for three touchdowns and 232 yards in the win, with two of those majors going to Joe Robustelli.

The Edmonton Elks headed into Week 15 as the best team at forcing turnovers in the CFL (35) and they added another one early in the Battle of Alberta rematch. With Calgary deep in their own territory, linebacker Nick Anderson picked off Vernon Adams Jr., setting up Fajardo and co. on the Stamps’ 31-yard line. Edmonton cashed in on the turnover with a Vincent Blanchard field goal, giving the home team a 3-0 lead.

On the Stamps’ ensuing drive, Adams Jr. aired it out to Jalen Philpot, who hauled in a 46-yard pass in tight coverage to bring his team deep into Edmonton territory (13-yard line). On second-and-10, Calgary responded to the Elks’ field goal with a touchdown, as Adams Jr. connected with Erik Brooks deep in the end zone to take the lead (7-3) with about three minutes left in the opening frame.

» Depth Charts: CGY | EDM » Game Notes: Stampeders at Elks

Edmonton continued their turnover prowess, adding another interception five minutes into the second quarter. Adams Jr. threw the ball as he was being tackled behind the line of scrimmage and Tyrell Ford ran under the pass, hauling in the interception. Once again the Elks turned the interception into three points, with Blanchard connecting on his 42-yard field goal attempt to cut Calgary’s lead to 7-6.

Later in the quarter, Edmonton scored their first touchdown of the contest. Running back ShunDerrick Powell, who was filling in for an injured Justin Rankin, had a 21-yard play on the scoring drive, which included a hurdle over a defender, to bring his Elks down to the Stamps’ 12-yard line. A horse-collar penalty against Calgary pushed Edmonton to the one-yard line, where Cole Snyder plunged in for the touchdown just before the three-minute warning.

It didn’t take long for Edmonton to score another major. On their next possession following a Calgary punt, Fajardo connected with Joe Robustelli, who had Jaydon Grant in close coverage, in the end zone for a 22-yard strike. With zeros on the clock at the end of the first half, Rene Paredes kicked a 38-yard field goal to cut Edmonton’s lead to 19-10 heading into the break.

Edmonton wasted no time scoring to open the second half, with Fajardo finding Cephus in the end zone just five plays into the third quarter. The Elks added more points the next time they had the ball, with Blanchard kicking his third field goal of the contest. His 26-yarder extended Edmonton’s lead to 29-10 as the home team was in full control.

Calgary started to chip away at Edmonton’s lead, with Paredes connecting on his second field goal of the contest late in the third frame. But the Elks had other plans. Silas Hubert blocked a Calgary punt in the end zone and pounced on the ball, scoring a touchdown on the play and increasing their lead to 23 in the final minute of the third quarter.

The Elks defence continued to flex their muscles, with yet another turnover in the contest. Kordell Jackson forced Jalen Philpot to fumble and recovered it himself to bring Fajardo and the offence back on the field. Just like they had earlier in the game, Edmonton scored points off the turnover, with Robustelli scoring his second touchdown of the night.

With a large lead, Taylor Powell entered at quarterback to finish out the contest for Edmonton. He led a scoring drive, throwing a 15-yard touchdown pass to Zach Mathis. With Blanchard’s convert after the major, the Elks put up 50 points with six minutes left in the contest. Calgary added another field goal late, with Paredes connecting on his 45-yard attempt. The Elks matched with a field goal of their own, with Blanchard connecting on his fourth of the contest, as Edmonton defeated Calgary and locked up a playoff spot.

SCORING PLAYS

Vincent Blanchard 31-yard field goal (6:38, Q1) | EDM 3, CGY 0
Vernon Adams Jr. 13-yard touchdown pass to Erik Brooks (3:16, Q1) | CGY 7, EDM 3
Vincent Blanchard 42-yard field goal (8:17, Q2) | CGY 7, EDM 6
Cole Snyder one-yard touchdown run (11:44, Q2) | EDM 13, CGY 7
Cody Fajardo 22-yard touchdown pass to Joe Robustelli (1:03, Q2) | EDM 19, CGY 7
Rene Paredes 38-yard field goal (0:00, Q2) | EDM 19, CGY 10
Cody Fajardo 35-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Cephus (12:23, Q3) | EDM 26, CGY 10
Vincent Blanchard 26-yard field goal (7:44, Q3) | EDM 29, CGY 10
Rene Paredes 41-yard field goal (4:26, Q3) | EDM 29, CGY 13
Silas Hubert blocked punt and recovery touchdown (1:03, Q3) | EDM 36, CGY 13
Cody Fajardo 18-yard touchdown pass to Joe Robustelli (14:12, Q4) | EDM 43, CGY 13
Taylor Powell 15-yard touchdown pass to Zach Mathis (6:33, Q4) | EDM 50, CGY 13
Rene Paredes 45-yard field goal (3:45, Q4) | EDM 50, CGY 16
Vincent Blanchard 46-yard field goal (2:06, Q4) | EDM 53, CGY 16

The Edmonton Elks head to Toronto to take on the 7-6 Argonauts in Week 16 action. The Argos are 3-0 at BMO Field this season and the Elks will look to give them their first loss at home on Saturday, September 19. The teams first met in Week 11, where Edmonton defeated Toronto 42-12.

Calgary will host the winless Ottawa REDBLACKS on Saturday, September 19 in Week 16 action. The contest is the first of a home-and-home series between the two clubs, wrapping up in Week 17 on Saturday, September 26.

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