Elks, shuffled staff take on Redblacks in a rematch

Field Level Media|published: Thu 18th July, 14:32 2024

Jun 14, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Elks quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson (10) throws a pass during the first half against the Montreal Alouettes at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Jarious Jackson will make his CFL head coaching debut against a familiar foe on Friday when he leads the Edmonton Elks into a rematch against the host Ottawa Redblacks.

The winless Elks (0-5) dropped a 37-34 decision to the Redblacks (3-2) on Sunday, marking their fourth straight setback by three points and third in a row by a walk-off field goal. The following day, Edmonton fired general manager and coach Chris Jones, named Geroy Simon as interim GM and promoted Jackson to interim head coach.

"We are 0-5," said Jackson, who is also the Elks' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. "We don't get any brownie points for keeping games close, right? It's about the Ws. At the end of the day, it's the only thing that matters. Stats don't matter."

Miscues do, however. Edmonton's Dakota Prukop scored the game-tying touchdown with eight seconds left in the fourth quarter on Sunday before Boris Bede's ensuing kickoff sailed out of bounds, giving the Redblacks the ball at the 50. One long pass completion later and Lewis Ward kicked a 38-yard field goal as time expired to lift Ottawa to victory.

"We could have easily said we were going to play for overtime, but you have to have a little killer instinct," Redblacks coach Bob Dyce said. "These kind of wins are character builders and certainly get your heart rate up.

"When we have to be explosive, we can be explosive. All we need is the opportunity. It was fantastic to see that finish."

Redblacks quarterback Dru Brown threw for a career-high 480 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday, with Kalil Pimpleton (153 yards, TD), Dominique Rhymes (131) and Justin Hardy (110, TD) notching triple digits in receiving yards. Hardy has three 100-yard receiving performances in five games this season after mustering just two in his previous two CFL campaigns.

Elks quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson boasts a strong 71.7 percent completion percentage this season after connecting on 26 of 35 passes on Sunday for 272 yards with two touchdowns. Hergy Mayala had seven catches for 88 yards and a touchdown.

--Field Level Media