The Friday Night Lights were bright in Edmonton, especially for the home team and the contingent of Green and Gold fans. In front of 16,000-plus at Commonwealth Stadium, the Elks found a way to win against the Toronto Argonauts in convincing fashion. From sacks to celebrations, Friday night's tilt featured everything you could ask for as a football fan. Well, maybe everything, as it was a wet and wild affair for a good portion of the game.

GAME TIME

While we generally have a Tailgate Report, this was our first missed game in a very long time, but as Season Ticket Holders we can't make every single game every year and that means we relied on our phones to watch this contest. The game started with Kicker Vincent Blanchard booting the ball to Toronto as per the coin toss. Moments later, QB Nick Arbuckle found his man WR Ungerer III to get within striking distance early. The strike would only be a field goal from the boot of K Lirim Hajrullahu for the first score of the day. The Elks would score a field goal of their own on the next drive, beginning RB Justin Rankin's night of dominance. On their next offensive drive, the Elks would utilize Rankin in a hybrid role once again to secure another field goal. The quarter ended with a 6-3 Elks lead.

The second quarter opened with the Argonauts tieing the score with a field goal of their own. After some back and forth featuring a sack against the Argonauts, the Elks managed to cough up an interception to put the Argos in field goal range. With a steady boot, K Hajrullahu aced yet another field goal for the lead change, 9-6 Argonauts. With less than 3 minutes to go, Elks QB Cody Fajardo would find WR Steven Dunbar Jr. for a major catch, and who else than Justin Rankin to finish the drive into the endzone, a 13-9 lead with just over a minute to go. The quarter would end with a score of 13-10.

The third quarter started slow for the Elks, much like games in the past. The Double E would fail to drive the ball down the field, allowing the Argonauts to score with less than 10 minutes in the quarter. The Elks would answer back with a Blanchard 51-yard field goal to keep themselves in the game. The Argonauts charged right back, achieving great field position late in the third. Luckily for the Elks, Arbuckle dropped back only to find the EE defensive line coming down on him to force a fumble and recovery, DL Robbie Smith picking up the ball to give the Elks possession.

With the legs (and hands) of Justin Rankin, the arm of Cody Fajardo and the hands of Steven Dunbar Jr., the Elks managed to complete a touchdown drive with a successful 2-point conversion to make the score 24-17 early in the fourth quarter. The Argos answered back with a field goal but that would be their last score of the game. The Elks posted a single, and then a field goal to all but end the game. With time expiring, the Elks defense stopped the final Toronto drive, with a successful challenge assisting their efforts. The game would end with a 28-20 score for the home team, their second win in a row.

THE FAN SIDE

This game was possibly the most complete performance this season. Although the defense allowed 404 yards via air and ground, they also managed 2 sacks for 12 yards, 1 interception and 1 fumble recovery. The increased pressure created problems for Toronto QB Nick Arbuckle, forcing plays and mistakes at the same time.

The Elks offensive line allowed 0 sacks on Fajardo, a very welcome stat after 2 games featuring many sacks and lost yards. With 380 yards of net offense, the Elks performed much better on offense this week. Rankin was undoubtedly the hero of the game, amassing 179 all-purpose yards and a touchdown on the night. Cody Fajardo completed 25 passes on 31 attempts for 273 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Steven Dunbar Jr. Was also a cog, catching 7 passes on 8 targets for 64 yards and 1 touchdown.

Special teams struggled in areas but managed to hold their own for the duration of the game. Vincent Blanchard completed 4 field goals on 6 attempts, his longest being a 51-yard kick. Even though the Elks allowed some big returns, they didn't allow a return touchdown once in the game. Bend but don't break was the motto for the performance put on by the Double E.

This was a game and more importantly, a win that was much-needed for fans of the Green and Gold. Not only was this a home win, but it was the second win in-a-row for a team and fanbase desperate for success. An 8-point lead might not have been the most secure lead, but it sure was enough to secure the win. Although we were not at the stadium us fans call home, the celebration could still be heard around Edmonton. Hopes exist that this team can achieve yet another win next week, as confidence and cohesion are finally showing for the 2025 Edmonton Elks.

NEXT UP: EDMONTON ELKS @ OTTAWA REDBLACKS

The Edmonton Elks are travelling to the Nation's Capitol for Friday to face the Ottawa Redblacks. With the Elks and Redblacks tied in points at 6, the Elks desperately need a win on Friday to keep their postseason dreams alive. Edmonton currently holds the tiebreaker vs Ottawa so a win on Friday would automatically have the Elks over Ottawa should there be a tie in the standings, giving the Elks the upper hand if the crossover rule comes to play. For now, the Elks must fight hard to maintain the momentum they've built for themselves, their mission continuing on Friday night under TD Place's bright lights.

Buckle Up Elks Fans!