‘Preparing for both': Riders' defense ready for anything amid Elks QB uncertainty

CTV News

7 days ago

Montreal Alouettes' Darnell Sankey (1) misses the tackle on Edmonton Elks quarterback Tre Ford (2) during first half CFL action in Edmonton, on Thursday June 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson and Edmonton Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo (7) stretches out for the touchdown during first half CFL action against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Winnipeg Thursday, June 26, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
The Saskatchewan Roughriders' defense is prepared to see either Edmonton quarterback under centre when they take on the Elks Friday night.
'We're preparing for both quarterbacks,' head coach Corey Mace told reporters Wednesday. That is certainly what we've been doing all week. They both have their strengths and have shown to be successful in this league, during their time.'
Elks' head coach Mark Kilam has yet to reveal whether Tre Ford or Cody Fajardo will start for his team against Saskatchewan.
'You're just going to have to wait till we release the depth chart,' Kilam said after practice Tuesday. 'It's more about those guys out here working to try to get better, just like everybody else out here competing to be the guy at their position on Friday.'
Ford was the listed starter in Edmonton's last game against B.C. on July 13th, but Fajardo did see some snaps late in a blowout loss to the B.C. Lions.
Both quarterbacks have been taking first team snaps with the offense at Elks' practice this week.
'We go into a game with about 85 plays,' said Ford. 'Now you're splitting the reps in half and you're going to see maybe 40 of those plays. It might be the first time you're running [those plays] in the game.'
'But concepts and reads are similar and for somebody like Cody, it should be a little bit easier because he's had so much experience in the CFL and a lot of successful years as a quarterback,' he added.
Fajardo, a former Rider himself, hoped the smoke and mirrors under centre is making Saskatchewan's preparations tougher.
'They got two quarterbacks they got to prepare for,' he said. 'Every day we hold those cards closer to our chest I think the harder it is on them.'
'We want to do anything to help this team win football games. And if this is part of [Kilam's] way to win football games, we're willing to do it,' Fajardo added.
The Rider defense admitted each pivot poses a different challenge and skillset.
'Trey presents a tough challenge for us with his running ability and to run and pass, but I think Cody has a little bit of that too as well,' Linebacker C.J. Reavis told CTV News. 'If you're a man [defense] team, you don't like scramble quarterback. I feel like [Ford] doesn't really hurt us as bad cause we all have eyes on QB.'
'Everyone's going to like the pocket guy. [We] can play fast and execute,' defensive back Tevaughn Campbell added. 'When it gets to the foot chasing, you're just running around chasing a receiver like a little rabbit or just it gets a little tricky.'
In their careers, Ford is a perfect 2-0 against Saskatchewan while Fajardo has never started against the Riders – but has been a piece of some victories over the Green and White in the past.
Mace says his defense has to be ready, regardless of who is slinging the football across the field.
'It's just extra time you got to put in, no doubt,' the coach said. 'But that's just part of what we do, it is what it is. We'd probably do the same in that situation.'
Kickoff at Mosaic Stadium is scheduled for Friday, July 25, at 7 p.m.