Edmonton Elks fans have been hungry for a fast start to a CFL season, any season in the last 5 years but especially this one. They want excitement, they want speed, they want wins. Don't look now, but their wishes may have been answered for the first time since 2019.

On a stormy, rainy night in the nation's capital, the Double E found a way to win against an Ottawa REDBLACKS team that has held a similar record over the last 5 years, both teams with rabid fanbases that have been begging for success. Saturday night gave one fanbase a season start to remember.

GAME RECAP

3 THOUGHTS

1. Justin Rankin is a cheat code. 94 yards recieving and 102 yards on the ground, including a 61-yard house call. Rankin exclaimed that he wanted to become the first running back with 1000 yards recieving and another 1000 yards rushing, and based on what we saw in Game 1 of the season, it might not be that tall of a task for "Rank the Tank".

2. Elks cleaned up the penalties in the 2nd half. In the first half of play, the EE racked up 107 yards from 11 penalties, giving the Ottawa REDBLACKS a touchdown thanks to the multitude of penalties on one particular drive. The Elks gave up 3 more in the second half to amass 142 yards total on the game. Less of the 1st half stats and more of the 2nd half stats, please!

3. That ending was way more stressful than it should have been. Considering how far ahead the Elks were with 5 minutes remaining on the clock, the Elks found themselves ahead by only one touchdown after the 3 minute warning. Ottawa stormed back and looked to be on pace to tie, but the Elks defense found a way to shut down QB Jake Maier and company despite the Double E's stalled drives the other way. Some would say the offensive play calling near the end of play was conservative, Rankin losing yards due to the predictability of the plays that were called.

THE POINT AFTER

The Elks defense stood tall in this game. So many players stood out on the defensive side of the ball, as could be said for the special teams phase as well. Heck, you could probably say that about the offense too, if not for the missed opportunities in the red zone. Out of multiple attempts in the red zone only once did the Elks find pay dirt, a stat that needs to be cleaned up before hosting the Montréal Alouettes in 2 weeks.

THE FAN SIDE

Delicious. Finally, a Season Opening win for the first time since 2019. 2019! Fans of the Green and Gold have been waiting almost 7 years for a proper start to the season, last night's victory a glass of water for a fanbase that has been through it all.

QB Cody Fajardo did well, not perfect, but well enough to secure the win. 23 completions on 34 attempts for 266 yards and 1 TD, a solid stat line that could have been better but also could have been much worse, with no interceptions on the record. Keep in mind that this was the first real game of the season and Cody showed spark in this one, a massive 39-yard bomb to WR TJ Luther setting up an Austin Mack TD on the next play.

Speaking of the recievers, Justin Rankin topped the chart with 96 yards on 5 receptions, TJ Luther came second 5 receptions on 6 attempts for 65 yards. Kaion Julien-Grant came third with 41 yards on 3 catches, missing four other catches for various reasons.

Defensively, the Elks held the REDBLACKS accountable all night long. LB Nick Anderson hit the bodies hard with 7 tackles, even with a small injury halfway through the game. DB Kordell Jackson made 4 tackles, 2 for a loss depsite being on the injury list earlier in the week. Jackson also scooped a ball on a forced fumble, no injury issues apparent to viewers at home and in-person. LB Joel Dublanko also had himself a game with 3 tackles and 1 forced fumble. There were multiple missed interceptions from the Elks DB's, position on point but hands being the weak point on those plays.

The Elks have been waiting quite some time for a steady kicker and it's safe to say they have one in K Vincent Blanchard. Blanchard was perfect on his field goal attempts on Saturday night, going 5 for 5 with his longest being a 44-yard boot. P Jake Julien averaged 46.4 yards on 8 punts, his longest being a 66-yard blast.

NEXT UP: BYE WEEK

Just as the motor starts warming up, it must be shut down for a second-week bye as CFL Week 2 begins. The Elks will get a short rest right before hosting the Montréal Alouettes for the Home Opener At Commonwealth Stadium, a Saturday 2PM start on June 20th feeling like ages away from today's date. With hope in hand and victory fresh on their minds, the Elks and their fanbase dream of a 2-0 start to the 2026 CFL season.

Buckle Up!