Roughriders top Elks 16-9 to book West semifinal showdown with Lions

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After allowing a one-yard touchdown run by Edmonton quarterback Cole Snyder early in the first quarter, Saskatchewan responded with 16 unanswered points. Brett Lauther kicked a 32-yard field goal in the second quarter to cut the deficit to 6-3.

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Riders quarterback Tommy Stevens then added a pair of one-yard touchdown runs, one in the second quarter and one in the fourth, to give Saskatchewan a 15-6 lead. Stevens now has 17 rushing touchdowns, breaking the CFL record for most rushing touchdowns in a single season. Caleb Evans held the previous record of 16, set with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2022.

Saskatchewan punter Oscar Chapman chipped in a 58-yard single with 3:31 remaining to make the score 16-6.

Vincent Blanchard ended the string of unanswered points with a 24-yard field goal to narrow the Elks deficit to 16-9 with 27 seconds remaining. The Riders recovered the ensuing onside kick by the Elks.

It was an undisciplined first half that saw both teams struggle with penalties. The Elks had seven penalties for 73 yards while the Riders had seven penalties for 70 yards.

The only touchdown of the half came on a penalty-fuelled drive for the Riders. A five-play, 67-yard drive culminated with a one-yard major by Stevens to give the Riders a 9-6 lead with 2:53 left in the half. Of the 67 yards, 62 were from Edmonton penalties, including a 42-yard pass interference call against Elks defensive back Royce Metchie.

Playing in challenging weather conditions — at kickoff the winds were at 46 km/h with gusts to 5 km/h — the teams depended on their running games in the first half. Shunderrick Powell gained 47 yards on six carries for the Elks while Deon Jackson, making his Riders debut, totalled 45 yards on eight carries.

The wind also wreaked havoc with the kicking game. Lauther and Edmonton’s Vincent Lauther missed convert attempts. The Riders also failed on a two-point convert attempt after Stevens’s second touchdown.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2026.

Jeff DeDekker, The Canadian Press