Riders gift fans 21-18 win over Elks to take over first place in West

CTV News

26-07-2025

Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman Micah Johnson (4) attempts to tackle Edmonton Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo (7) during the first half of CFL football action in Regina, on Friday, July 25, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
On a night full of jolly, the Saskatchewan Roughriders brought the Christmas cheer to Mosaic Stadium, gifting fans a 21-18 win over the Edmonton Elks.
With the win, the Riders move into sole possession of first place in the CFL's West Division.
At one point in the third quarter, Saskatchewan held a 17-point lead, but Edmonton would score 14-unasnwered points in the fourth quarter and draw within three points with less than two minutes to go in the game.
The biggest drive of the first half came with less than four minutes to go. With good field position, quarterback Trevor Harris led a nine play, 44-yard touchdown drive to score the team's first major of the night
With the momentum in their favour, Saskatchewan would add a field goal and take a seven-point lead into the break.
Trevor Harris
Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris (7) throws against the Edmonton Elks during the first half of CFL football action in Regina, on Friday, July 25, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
(Heywood Yu/The Canadian Press)
In the third quarter, Harris would pop off – throwing for nearly 100 yards in that quarter alone – adding another TD pass to KeeSean Johnson on the team's second drive of the second half.
Harris would finish 25-for-33 with 268 passing yards and two touchdowns.
His 76 per cent completion rate extended a CFL-record streak of game completion percentage of 70 per cent or more to 10 games.
Harris's performance also moved him past 35,000 career passing yards – and within 1,000 yards of Roughrider great Kent Austin (36,030).
Receivers Samuel Emilus and Johnson were the two most targeted weapons by Harris Friday. Combined, the two wideouts had 15 receptions and 191 receiving yards.
With Edmonton down early, head coach Mark Kilam was forced to pass early and often.
Cody Fajardo, the former Rider who was making his first start against Saskatchewan, finished with 346 yards through the air on 26 completions and 33 attempts, adding two TD passes and did not throw an interception.
However, Roughrider defenders sacked the Elks' QB eight times - including each of the final two plays of the game to end it.
On the ground, Saskatchewan made the Elks' run game nearly non-existent. Combined, Edmonton rushers had just 25 yards.
Saskatchewan improves to 6-1 for the 2025 season. Edmonton falls to 1-5.
The Roughriders are next in action on the road in Montreal on August 2.