The Edmonton Elks look like poised for a second-half surge.
Steven Dunbar Jr.’s early fourth-quarter landing catch proved to be the distinction because the Elks emerged with a 28-20 victory over the Toronto Argonauts in a recreation between two groups clinging on to playoff hopes on Friday.
The Elks (3-6) have now received two video games in a row.
“I’m actually pleased with this unit,” stated Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo. “Our problem this week was to do one thing we haven’t achieved this yr, and that’s to stack two wins on prime of one another.”
Fajardo, who began the season as backup to Tre Ford, was 25-of-31 passing for 273 yards.
“He’s doing an excellent job with the offence proper now,” stated Elks head coach Mark Kilam. “They’re actually rallying round one another. I assumed (working again Justin) Rankin did a pleasant job and that the receivers had been actually blocking on the permitter. A credit score to these guys for certain.”
After being held and not using a single speeding yard in his group’s earlier recreation, Rankin had 92 yards on the bottom and 87 yards receiving.
The Argos (2-8), in the meantime, have misplaced three straight.
“I assumed the combat was there and guys had been battling and we had an opportunity to win that recreation,” stated Argos head coach Ryan Didwiddie, noticeably calmer than after his group’s earlier loss. “However the place we’re at it within the season, we will’t afford to lose any extra video games. It simply wasn’t our day.
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“Typically I really feel like we’re simply snake-bitten, however I assumed Nick gave us an opportunity to win.”
Argos quarterback Nick Arbuckle threw for 382 yards on the night time.
The groups traded discipline targets on their first possessions, with Toronto kicker Lirim Hajrullahu changing a 14-yard try after the Argos had been arrange by a 56-yard catch by Dave Ungerer, and Edmonton’s Vincent Blanchard making a 30-yard boot by way of the uprights.
Blanchard added a 20-yard discipline objective late within the opening quarter.
Hajrullahu responded with a 45-yard discipline objective to begin the second.
Toronto’s defence stepped up with a giant play 5 minutes into the second as Wynton McManis intercepted Fajardo on the Edmonton 37. Nevertheless, the Argos had been held to a 20-yard discipline objective.
Edmonton lastly obtained the sport’s first main with simply over a minute to play within the first half as working again Justin Rankin scampered in from two yards out.
Toronto added a punt single earlier than halftime.
The Argos surged forward halfway by way of the third quarter as Arbuckle floated a nine-yard landing go to Jake Herslow.
The Elks clawed again to inside some extent behind a 52-yard Blanchard discipline objective to make it 17-16 with 4 minutes remaining within the third.
The Elks’ defence got here up huge late within the third, forcing an Arbuckle fumble on the Edmonton 17, that was recovered by Robbie Smith.
Edmonton marched all the way in which down the sector, culminating in a four-yard TD go deep into the top zone from Fajardo to Dunbar. They added a single off the following kickoff to steer 24-17.
Toronto got here again with a 29-yard discipline objective from Hajrullahu.
Blanchard tried a 43-yard discipline objective however was broad for a single.
The Argos tried a faux punt with two minutes left within the fourth however had been stopped brief and turned the ball over on downs at their very own 35, resulting in a 22-yard discipline objective by Blanchard.
Edmonton was capable of cease a late Toronto drive to place the sport away.
“The idea was there,” Fajardo stated. “There was no panic on the sideline. Final week the offence had the walk-off landing after which this week we wanted the defence to make a play they usually made a play for us. It was actually an unimaginable night time. I’m undecided how way more my coronary heart can deal with these CFL video games that go all the way down to the wire. However you don’t need it some other method.”
NOTES
Toronto had received 4 of the earlier 5 conferences between the 2 squads. It was their first assembly of the season, with one other coming in Week 15. They break up the season collection in 2024, with the video games being determined by a complete of 4 factors. … Blanchard additionally dealt with punting duties with Cody Grace out with a knee damage suffered within the Elks’ final recreation towards Montreal.
UP NEXT
Argos: Host the B.C. Lions on Saturday.
Elks: Go to the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday.
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