Elks eager to bounce Blue Bombers, secure best start since 2017

Field Level Media|published: Wed 24th June, 20:56 2026

Jun 7, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Edmonton Elks linebacker Joel Dublanko (50) looks on during the second half against the BC Lions at BC Place Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images

The Edmonton Elks are chasing their first 3-0 start in nearly a decade when they visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday night.

Edmonton (2-0) last opened a season with three consecutive wins when the then-Eskimos started 7-0 in 2017 before slumping to a 12-6 finish.

Host Winnipeg (1-1) is rested after a bye week and looking to bounce back from a 37-27 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in its home opener on June 11.

The Elks followed a season-opening 29-21 win on June 6 at Ottawa with a 32-29 home victory in overtime against Montreal last Saturday. Quarterback Cody Fajardo's 6-yard touchdown run in OT was the winner.

"It was pretty impressive the way that we gutted it out. We're a gritty team, we're going to find ways to win here," Fajardo said, per panow.com. "We already knew we were a good football team. I think what this does is it puts the rest of the league on notice that this isn't the same Edmonton Elks team from a couple of years ago. The standard has changed here."

Fajardo has completed 66.7% of his passes for 497 yards, two touchdowns and one interception this season. Justin Rankin has rushed for a league-leading 281 yards and three scores while leading the Elks with 10 catches for 145 yards.

Edmonton and Winnipeg split last season's two meetings, with the West Division rivals each winning at home.

The Blue Bombers were outscored 17-0 in the second quarter and never recovered in their setback against Hamilton.

Winnipeg defensive end Willie Jefferson said the team is eager to turn things around on Thursday night.

"This is a bounce-back game for us," he told the team website this week. "We had some time off during the bye week, watched the film from the Hamilton game and made some corrections. We're going to come out for another home game and try to set the tone."

Zach Collaros has completed 71.4% of his passes for 654 yards with three TDs and two interceptions this year. Brady Oliveira leads the Bombers with 145 rushing yards and a score and Tommy Nield tops the team with 10 receptions for 163 yards.

--Field Level Media