Vincent Blanchard’s 57-yard field goal lifts Edmonton Elks to 36-34 win over Saskatchewan
Vincent Blanchard 57-yard field goal seals a 36-34 Edmonton Elks victory in Regina as Cody Fajardo throws for 510 yards and four touchdowns. in Regina.
The Edmonton Elks secured a 36-34 road victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders when kicker Vincent Blanchard drilled a 57-yard field goal on the final play. The decisive kick capped a high-scoring matchup that saw Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo throw for 510 yards and four touchdowns. The result moved Edmonton to 6-1 and handed the Roughriders a 4-2 mark in a game played under heavy emotion in Regina.
Blanchard’s 57-yard kick decides game
Vincent Blanchard converted a 57-yard attempt as time expired to put the Elks ahead by a single point and end the contest. The kick came after Edmonton engineered the field position needed for a long attempt and delivered under pressure.
The successful try not only sealed the win but extended Edmonton’s best start in nearly a decade. Blanchard’s finish erased a late Saskatchewan lead and instantly shifted momentum in the West Division standings.
Fajardo finishes with 510 yards and four TDs
Cody Fajardo produced one of the more prolific passing nights of the season, completing 25 of 32 attempts for 510 yards and four touchdown passes. His efficiency and downfield accuracy kept Edmonton in scoring range throughout and forced Saskatchewan to match big plays.
Fajardo spread the ball to multiple targets, including a sequence of long gains that built scoring drives. Those connections amplified Edmonton’s passing attack and provided the foundation for the comeback that set up Blanchard’s kick.
Austin Mack’s big plays swing momentum
Receiver Austin Mack made two explosive touchdown catches that were pivotal in the fourth quarter. Mack hauled in a 57-yard touchdown late in the third quarter and an 81-yard fingertip grab early in the fourth to flip momentum back to Edmonton.
The 81-yard reception came immediately after Saskatchewan had taken the lead, underscoring how quickly the game turned. Edmonton’s willingness to attack vertically produced the big-yardage plays that ultimately determined the result.
Fourth quarter sees rapid lead changes and key misses
Saskatchewan grabbed a 28-27 edge on the opening play of the fourth when Trevor Harris found Dhel Duncan-Busby for a short touchdown. Edmonton answered on the next snap with Mack’s 81-yard score, though a two-point attempt struck the crossbar and failed.
Kicker Alex Hale kept the Riders within striking distance with two fourth-quarter field goals, including a 48-yarder, and had a 46-yard try go wide with three minutes left. That miss was returned to the Edmonton 20 by Javon Leake and set the stage for the late drama.
Trevor Harris and the Riders’ offense
Trevor Harris delivered a productive passing night as well, finishing the first half 13 of 19 for 231 yards and three touchdowns and pacing Saskatchewan’s early scoring. He completed several long throws, including a 56-yard touchdown to Kian Schaffer-Baker that highlighted the Riders’ deep-threat capability.
Samuel Emilus and KeeSean Johnson also provided receiving touchdowns in the first half, helping Saskatchewan take a 21-17 advantage into the break. Despite the offense’s output, the Riders’ defense struggled to contain Edmonton’s explosive plays in the second half.
Tributes and emotion after tragic crash
The game unfolded five days after a two-vehicle collision that claimed the lives of Riders linebacker Jayden Dalke and Regina resident Bhishma Rajyaguru, an incident that cast a solemn tone over the evening. Tributes to the two young men and a moment of silence were observed before the opening kickoff at Mosaic Stadium.
Players and coaches from both clubs acknowledged the gravity of the situation while focusing on competing, and the pregame tributes were a prominent and emotional element of the event. The solemn start contrasted with the fast-paced, high-scoring football that followed on the field.
Standings impact and upcoming rematch
The Elks improved to 6-1 with the victory, their best start since a 7-0 run in 2017, while the Roughriders fell to 4-2 in the West Division. The result tightens the race in the conference and reinforces Edmonton’s credentials as an early-season contender.
Both teams are scheduled to meet again on Saturday, Aug. 1, giving Saskatchewan an immediate opportunity for redemption and Edmonton a chance to consolidate its position. The rematch will carry added intrigue after a game decided in the final seconds.
Edmonton’s last-second win highlighted both the strengths and vulnerabilities of the teams: a prolific passing attack and big-play receivers on offense, coupled with defensive lapses that allowed the contest to remain within reach until the final moment. The victory gives the Elks momentum as the schedule intensifies, while the Riders will look to regroup quickly ahead of the rematch in Edmonton.
