Edmonton Elks stage dramatic preseason comeback to down BC Lions
In a thrilling CFL preseason finale at Play Alberta Field at Commonwealth Stadium, the Edmonton Elks erased a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the visiting BC Lions 20-19 on Friday night, securing head coach Mark Kilam’s first victory and snapping a six-year home preseason winless streak.
Rookie QBs deliver late-game heroics
Trailing 19-7 with under five minutes remaining, Edmonton turned to rookie quarterbacks Cole Snyder and Will McElvain to spark the rally. Snyder orchestrated a 68-yard drive capped by DeWayne McBride’s two-yard touchdown plunge at 4:05, cutting the deficit to 19-14. After a defensive stop forced by Silas Hubert’s critical sack of BC’s Chase Brice, McElvain took over with 2:19 left. The first-year pivot calmly led a nine-play, 57-yard march, finding receiver Jalon Calhoun on a 12-yard strike with eight seconds remaining to seal the win. McElvain finished 4-of-6 for 40 yards, while Snyder went 4-of-5 for 58 yards in limited action.
BC’s quarterback rotation shows depth
BC’s Nathan Rourke opened strong, completing all eight passes for 84 yards in the first quarter while engineering two drives that ended in Sean Whyte field goals (38, 25 yards). Chase Brice and Jeremiah Masoli alternated series thereafter, with Brice compiling a team-high 104 passing yards, including a 15-yard TD strike to Preston Smith. Rourke, reflecting on his efficient outing, called it a “positive conclusion to three productive weeks of training camp.”
Defensive resilience fuels comeback
Edmonton’s defense held BC to one offensive touchdown despite early struggles. Whyte added a 42-yard field goal in the third quarter, while Mark McNamee extended the lead to 12-7 with another 42-yard kick. However, the Elks stiffened late, stopping BC on third-and-goal at the three-yard line late in the third and forcing two critical fourth-quarter punts.
Kilam era begins with momentum
The victory marked a milestone for Kilam, promoted from special teams coordinator during the offseason. “It’s about finding ways to win, and these guys did that,” Kilam told CHED 880 post-game. Veteran QB Tre Ford, who opened the scoring with a 63-yard drive ending in Justin Rankin’s six-yard rushing TD, praised the rookies: “Cole and Will did a fantastic job. All three phases stepped up when it mattered.” Ford completed 5-of-8 passes for 79 yards, while Cody Fajardo added 88 yards on 6-of-8 passing.
Regular season preparations underway
With the preseason concluded Edmonton and BC shift focus to their June 7 season opener against each other at BC Place Stadium.
