Winning on Friday night is becoming a habit for the Edmonton Elks. In what was deemed to be another critical game for both teams, the Elks claimed victory in front of 16,000-plus fans at TD Place in the Nation's Capitol.

GAME TIME

The EE Game Day Tradition is alive and well in Edmonton and last night's game saw no different. While we here at The Elks Herd settled in under green and gold lights at our HQ, many other fans gathered at the EE Watch Party at Billy Budd's and elsewhere to take in the much-anticipated game.

The first quarter started off rather slow, with both teams battling for field position. Ottawa QB Dustin Crum would try to make a splash early in the game, passing to the likes of WR Justin Hardy and moving the sticks in the process, but the Elks defensive line would make multiple stops to prevent any points from being scored. The Elks were then able to get within field goal position, with K Vincent Blanchard notching the first points of the game. After another defensive stop, Elks QB Cody Fajardo would find FB Tanner Green for multiple plays, including a hurdle that had Elks fans jumping up in excitement. Moments later, RB Javon Leake pushed his way through for a big first down play.

The second quarter started with a drive-finishing touchdown, a Quarterback sneak from Fajardo to put the Elks up 10-0 on the scoreboard with the PAT. After another solid defensive stand, Leake returned the punt all the way to the endzone for another 7 points. Ottawa would try answering back but instead found Elks defenders flying at them, pushing the ball back often. Crum would put the team on his back with some rushing plays of his own, but the Elks defense was just too strong in this quarter. With the ball back in their possession, the Elks found more success driving the ball with Fajardo using his legs as well, but a pass intended for WR Steven Dunbar Jr. would be intercepted by Ottawa, the ensuing drive resulting in a touchdown for the REDBLACKS. The two teams battled for field position for the rest of the quarter, the Elks having the final say with a field goal to post a 20-7 lead at halftime.

This third quarter was similar to past games for the Elks, who consistently seem to struggle coming out of the locker room in the second half. Utilizing their run game and aerial assault, Ottawa came out strong and marched the ball down the field to score another major, Crum passing the ball to WR Andre Miller in the endzone to post another 7 points on the scoreboard with the PAT. The Elks secondary allows too many yards against at critical times, this quarter displaying the weakness in a major way as Ottawa managed to crawl back into the game. The quarter finished with another big pass to Miller, giving the REDBLACKS favorable field position near the 25 yard line.

The fourth quarter is the most critical in every game, this one being no different. The Elks defense faced a touchdown scenario and with time ticking away, a clutch performance was needed in order to stop a major. After an Ottawa first down the Elks found a way to push the ball back, DL Brandon Barlow sacking Crum well behind the line of scrimmage, resulting in a field goal on the drive into part to the sack. The Elks answered back with a touchdown, RB Justin Rankin charging through to the endzone at the end of the drive. A battle for field position ensued and with the Elks being pinned near their endzone on their next offensive drive Ottawa found a way to get within field goal position once again, delivering another field goal to inch closer to the Elks on the scoreboard. No concern for the visiting team, however, as Fajardo would find WR Kurleigh Gittens Jr. for a deep play, one 36-yard line to the other to secure field goal position for themselves. Both teams would push for more points but in the end, the Elks finished the game with a 30-20 victory over the REDBLACKS, securing their 4th win on the season and their 3rd win in a row.

THE FAN SIDE

Despite the fact that this game was against a team that is struggling in the standings, the Elks desperately needed this win. Not only did they secure the much-needed 2 points in the standings, they did so in commanding fashion.

The defense made many critical stops, their weakness being big plays allowed in the secondary. DL Noah Taylor had a great night, posting 4 defensive tackles and 2 sacks, DB Kordell Jackson providing the only other sack. DL Brandon Barlow also had a good performance, with 2 tackles for lost yards and 4 defensive tackles. With 20 points allowed, there's still room for growth but the defense is starting to provide pressure and sacks in addition to the critical stops required to win a football game.

The offense did their part once again, contributing 23 points with Fajardo at pivot. Fajardo finished the day with 270 passing yards on 22 completions and 1 interception. His feet earned him top rushing honours with 57 yards on 5 carries and 1 touchdown, a 30-yard run being his longest rush on the night. Gittens Jr. topped the receiving list with 71 yards on 6 catches. Worth noting was Green's inclusion in the passing game, 3 catches for 33 yards, not bad for a fullback.

Special teams displayed a very impressive effort under the Friday Night Lights. Blanchard was perfect in this game, converting every one of his opportunities while taking on punting duties for the second game in a row. Blanchard punted 5 times in the game, his longest being a 51-yard punt, in addition to 3 field goals and 5 kickoffs with a 78 yard boot being his longest kick. Javon Leake's punt return touchdown allowed the Elks breathing room in the first half of the game, 109 yards from 5 punts on the night. On the other end of the stat line, the Elks only allowed 43 yards on 5 punt returns.

As we stated last night, this was a 3 phase win. The Elks had notable contributions from most, if not all players in this game. Even though this team still has some concerns, Fajardo and company are playing with belief that every game is winnable, and we're convinced. Elks fans have been craving competitive football for too long, the past 4 years resulting in losing seasons and stale narratives. At 4-6 this team is playing with passion and fire, the term "scheduled loss" becoming a thing of the past. The Double E is becoming a formidable foe and despite many concerns to start the season, the team is starting to gel as the season rolls on. Much applause to the defense for allowing only 20 points for two consecutive weeks, however, the Elks now must turn the page as they face a CFL West team for the first time in a while, a major test for the Elks as their recent wins have come against struggling CFL East teams.

UP NEXT: EDMONTON ELKS @ CALGARY STAMPEDERS

The Edmonton Elks will travel down the QEII to visit the Calgary Stampeders for the much-anticipated Labour Day Classic, a matchup that fans look forward to every year. Elks Fans will travel down south to cheer on the team as they look to secure their 4th-straight win in the most hostile environment one could imagine, and after last year's EE sweep of the Stamps, Calgary is desperate to get back to defeating their rival from the North. Hope and momentum is in hand, the vibes are feeling high in Edmonton, and belief has returned to the Green and Gold. Their biggest test of the season is just over a week away, and the unofficial "Start Of The Season" has arrived for the Edmonton Elks with playoff dreams far from extinguished.

Buckle Up Elks Fans!