When the 0-3 Edmonton Elks trotted into TD Place to square off against the 0-2 Ottawa REDBLACKS, Elks fans didn't expect the result to be another loss, yet here we are the next day with the Elks posting a mere 7 points against Ottawa's 26. For a team that was supposedly progressing, the Friday Night Lights shined on the many problems that the Elks currently have on the turf.

   In this edition of The Turnover, we'll recap what was another historical loss for the Elks as they struggle to find momentum against the floundering REDBLACKS, who also turned to a backup quarterback to end a home-losing streak.

GAME DAY VIBES

   Elks fans, ourselves included, thought that bringing in Jarret Doege at quarterback would translate to a spark on offense. Because of that, we got pumped up immediately after working our day jobs. We ordered our favorite Friday night eats from Callingwood's Rice To Go and posted up the EE Roll Call on Twitter. With food delivered on time and all good luck charms and jerseys present, we proceeded to watch the Green and Gold from The Secret Spot Games Room.

GAME TIME

   The Elks offense struggled out of the gate in this game. Doege looked like a quarterback with pressure on his shoulders in his first start at pivot. In the first quarter, Doege faced mass pressure from Ottawa's defense, coupled with the weight of a fanbase and franchise watching his every play. While Doege didn't have many under throws, he did throw balls over the heads of recivers. We translate this to giving recievers such as Dunbar Jr. an opportunity to win a 50/50 catch. Unfortunately, some of these throws were a bit too high or hard, something that is expected from a rookie quarterback cutting his teeth in the CFL. The defence would proceed to show flashes from last year's edition of the team with a pass inference call and lack of defence against Ottawa's running game. This drive for Ottawa would result in a field goal and the beginning of a long night for the Green and Gold.

   After another failed drive for the Elks, Ottawa quaterback Tyrie Adams would get comfortable with a 54-yard play to reciever Marco Dubois who tip-toed down the sideline for Ottawa's first home touchdown of the season. 10-0 for the REDBLACKS to finish the first quarter.

   Doege would try a long throw to reciever Dillon Mitchell in the second quarter but instead found Ottawa's Damon Webb in double coverage. Interception number one of the night for Doege and the Elks meant that the game was slipping away early for the team that thought a change at quarterback was the solution. The offensive line was already crumbling before this game started and Friday's game was a clear sign that something is still not working on that line.

   Adams and company would make the Elks pay with a field goal off the interception, followed by another off of an Elks stalled drive. The score 16-0 going into the half, adding two more notches to the Elks shutout-quarters belt.

   The third quarter saw signs of life and improvement, opposite of what we've seen from the 2023 Elks so far. Doege began to find his footing when, once again, he loaded up a long ball that wound up in Ottawa's hands in a double coverage scenario. After an Ottawa stall, Doege found Maurice Ffrench for an open play that set up a touchdown attempt. The drive would be a success with Doege finding Ffrench again for the touchdown. A failed 2-point convert would find the Elks down 16-6 and defending Ottawa yet again going into the fourth quarter.

   Ottawa kicker Lewis Ward would add some insurance to Ottawa's score with a field goal to start the fourth quarter. Doege would try to construct a drive by using some of his drop back play style, however he would be sacked twice in his attempts which hurt the hopes of an Elks win. Punter Jake Julien was able to boot the ball through the end zone for Canada's favorite single point, the Rouge. Not long after, Tyrie Adams would get the ball close to the Elks end zone with a long throw to reciever Jalin Acklin. A Justin Tuggle run into the end zone and one last Doege interception would seal the fates of the Elks with a final score of 26-7.

ON A POSITIVE NOTE...

   Punter Jake Julien was the brightest spot on the team in this game. Generally Special Teams is a point of concern for the Elks but in this game Julien performed his duties well and efficiently, even achieving a Rouge in his attempts. Maurice Ffrench played with heart in an attempt to shine with a touchdown reception. Outside of Julien and Ffrench, there wasn't many standout players or plays which is very concerning for the EE faithful.

FOR FANS FROM FANS

   Usually we write about our Three Thoughts on the game but with how bad the Elks played against Ottawa, there's not much to talk about. From our couch we saw a collapsing offensive line on most plays, the repeated failure to stop the running game and the lack of team cohesion. It's extremely tough to watch this team struggle week-in week-out. We will never stop supporting this team as we aren't fair-weather fans, but the concensus amongst Elks fans is that this team looks as bad as it could over the last 10 years. A true sports fan supports their team through the good and bad, the sun and clouds. The problem with this game is that it's a continuation of the problems this team has been trying to solve. Doege at pivot resembled Taylor Cornelius in many ways, indicating that the Elks quarterbacks are facing far too much pressure from the opposing defense. Defensive penalties that extend drives along with too much quarterback pressure and the lack of run defence were all major problems in this game. Without a resolution in sight, EE fans, Alumni and media have voiced their displeasure with the on-field product, specifically on offense. This team needs further changes and at this point, the changes required can only be made by the Coaches, General Manager and upper management. We aren't coaches, players or experienced individuals in the decisions needed to right this ship so we really don't know what it will take to bring the EE back to glory. What we do know is that the team that plays every week is simply not good enough for being in Year 2 of a total rebuild. Victor Cui and the entire office staff at Commonwealth Stadium have worked night and day to bring fans back to the organization and with the team floundering on the turf, the organization is having a hard time succeeding in their efforts.

ON TAP: AT SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS JULY 6 2023

   The Edmonton Elks travel to Saskatchewan to do some stubble-jumpin' of their own when they battle the Roughriders for an edition of Thursday Night Football. Kickoff is at 7:00 PM Mountain, and while we do hope for a win, expectations have been checked for Edmonton Elks fans. At this rate it would seem like an Elks win in Saskatchewan is out of reach but as they say in the CFL, games are decided in the last 5 minutes and we won't count the Elks out until we witness it ourselves. Go Elks today and always.