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The Edmonton Elks rarely win, and even less often at home.
Boris Bede kicked three field goals as the Elks beat the BC Lions 33-16 on Sunday for their second straight win and second of the season.
“It’s awesome to get the win, and you can tell the atmosphere in the locker room is strong right now,” said Elks quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who came in when starter Tre Ford left the game late in the first half with a rib injury. “We’ve been this close to winning in years.”
The Elks are now 2-7. This was their first home win of the season and third in 31 games since Oct. 26, 2019.
“The guys are ecstatic right now,” Elks coach Jarious Jackson said. “It’s a mess in the locker room, water everywhere. I’m sure they have a hard time cleaning it up. That’s good, that’s the way it should be.
“You can definitely feel the momentum building. These guys have fought so hard to get to where we are now. It’s two wins in a row and they’re against the top two teams in the Western Conference.”
The Lions were the polar opposite of the Elks, losing three straight games to drop to 5-4.
“It was sloppy. We didn’t execute the way we needed to,” Lions quarterback Jack Dolegala said. “We have to stay on the field and help our defense. They can’t stay on the field the whole time.”
“We have to be successful on some second downs, and when we’re in second down position, we have to put the ball in the end zone, it’s as simple as that.”
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Lions head coach Rick Campbell is aware that his team has been struggling lately.
“We’re having a hard time,” he said. “I like our coach, I like our players, but we’re not playing well enough as a team right now. We’ve proven we can be a good football team. So we need to get guys back in good positions so they can make plays and we can get good results on the scoreboard.”
The Lions got off to a fast start, scoring a touchdown on their first possession. Daugala, who was filling in for regular starting quarterback Vernon Adams II (who injured his knee last week against Winnipeg), led the drive, and David McGee kicked the ball in.
Edmonton responded with a single after Bader’s 38-yard field goal missed.
Boston College scored on its second possession on a field goal by Sean Whyte, 43 yards from goal.
Running back Javon Leake continued to run for the Elks early in the second quarter with a 12-yard rushing touchdown.
Ford once again had a strong run to give Edmonton a 15-10 lead, capped by a one-yard run from backup Dakota Prukop, and they got another single on the ensuing drive.
Edmonton ended the first half on Bader’s 51-yard field goal.
White kicked his 44th consecutive field goal from 43 yards out early in the third quarter.
Ford suffered a blow near the end of the second quarter and was replaced in the playmaking role for the remainder of the game by Bethel-Thompson, who had a nice drive in the end zone that was intercepted by Ciante Evans.
Dolegala led the Lions all the way to the Edmonton red zone, but they were forced to settle for an 18-yard field goal from White and still trailed by three points.
The Elks started the fourth quarter with a 34-yard field goal by Bader.
With 6:37 left, Edmonton extended its lead when Bethel-Thompson passed to Justin Rankin for a 17-yard touchdown. A two-point conversion pass to Dillon Mitchell was successful.
Beede added Edmonton’s advantage with his third field goal of the night from 30 yards out.
notes
This is the second meeting of the season for both teams. The Lions won the first meeting, 24-21, on a last-second field goal in Week 4 in Vancouver. … Elks running back Leake not only threw for three touchdowns in Edmonton’s 42-31 season-opening win in Saskatchewan last week, but he also rushed for 169 yards, just three yards less than his previous 32 games combined. … In last week’s 25-0 loss to Winnipeg, the Lions recorded just four first downs, the fewest in franchise history. … The Lions welcome back several key players to the lineup, including linebacker Manny Rugamba, who missed the past two weeks with a knee injury, wide receiver Jevon Cotoy, who missed three games with a rib injury, and linebacker Thibaud DeBelle, who missed the same amount of time with a chest injury.
Next step
Lions: Host Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3-6) on Sunday, Aug. 18.
Elks: Visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-7) on Saturday.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
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