Edmonton Elks Secure Surprising Victory Thanks to Fajardo's Miracle: Six Key Insights
In a thrilling turn of events, the Edmonton Elks emerged victorious over the Montreal Alouettes with a nail-biting 23-22 win. The comeback was a testament to the leadership of veteran quarterback Cody Fajardo, who made his first start against Montreal since being traded.
Fajardo, who threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns, completed 27 of 38 passes and added 14 rushing yards. His poise was on full display in the fourth quarter, engineering a decisive late drive that culminated in a 15-yard touchdown pass to Kaion Julien-Grant with only 15 seconds remaining, sealing the victory.
The game began with a slow start for the Elks' running game, averaging only 14 rushing yards from Fajardo. However, Julien-Grant led the receiving corps, scoring twice in the fourth quarter to contribute to the comeback.
Key turning points included a critical special teams play early in the fourth quarter when Montreal’s Tyler Snead muffed a punt return, allowing Elks’ defensive lineman Brandon Barlow to recover the ball at the Montreal eight-yard line. This turnover led to a touchdown that cut Montreal’s lead to 19-17. Although Edmonton failed a two-point conversion attempt to tie, they stayed within striking distance.
Special teams played a mixed but pivotal role in the game. Montreal’s kicker Tyler Maltos missed an extra point after a third-quarter touchdown and later hit a 54-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter. Edmonton missed a 54-yard field goal earlier but took advantage of Montreal’s fumble on the punt return to regain momentum.
The victory marked Edmonton’s first road win of the season and improved their record to 2-6. It highlighted Fajardo’s poise against his former team, the clutch plays by key receivers like Julien-Grant, and the importance of opportunistic special teams and defense to compensate for a limited running game.
Unfortunately, the Elks surrendered six sacks during the game and did not record any sacks themselves. Cody Grace, the Elks' punter, went down with an injury in the first half, and the lack of a running game remains a concern for the team.
Despite these challenges, the Elks demonstrated resilience and teamwork, securing a much-needed win against their rivals. The spotlight now shifts to their next game, where they will aim to build on this victory and continue their upward trajectory.
Fajardo's impressive performance, with two touchdown passes and 289 yards, was a vital factor in the Edmonton Elks' 23-22 victory over the Montreal Alouettes. The last-minute touchdown pass to Kaion Julien-Grant, 15 yards in length, proved to be the game-winning play. The victory marked the Edmonton Elks' first road win of the season and moved them to a 2-6 record in sports, showing the importance of strategic plays, effective quarterbacking, and clutch performances from key players in football.
