Week 7 of the CFL season wrapped up Saturday night. It was the last game of the Saturday doubleheader between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Edmonton Elks at Commonwealth Stadium.
The Elks started Taylor Cornelius in place of Trevor Harris, who was placed on the six-game injured list because of a neck injury.
On the Blue Bombers first possession of the first quarter. Quarterback Zach Collaros and running back Andrew Harris led the Blue Bombers on a nine-play drive before Collaros, off his back foot, threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Darvin Adams for a 7-0 lead.
After the Blue Bombers’ defense made quick work of the Elks. The offense was back out on the field. On first-and-ten from the Elks 21-yard line, wide receiver Nick Demski was the running back and broke several tackles on his way into the endzone for a 21-yard touchdown. The Blue Bombers extended their lead to 14-0 with 5:01 left in the first quarter. The score remained 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Elks defense came up big when Christian Rector sacked Zach Collaros and a fumble recovery by the Elks to set the offense up at the Blue Bombers’ nine-yard line. Then, Elks running back James Wilder ran over a Blue Bombers defender on his way in for the touchdown that cut the Blue Bombers lead 14-7.
Late in the second quarter, Blue Bombers kicker Ali Mourtada missed a 28-yard field goal, and the ball went out of bounds for a single point 15-7. With 27-seconds left, Elks kicker Sean Whyte made a 44-yard field goal, and the Elks trailed 15-10 at halftime.
On the Elks first possession of the third quarter, the offense got to the Blue Bombers’ 19-yard line before James Wilder finished the drive with a 19-yard touchdown run. The Elks failed a two-point conversion. The score was 16-15 Elks.
The game’s turning point came with 8:52 left in the third quarter when Taylor Cornelius’s pass was intercepted by DeAundre Alford and returned for a pick-six touchdown. A successful two-point conversion put the Blue Bombers back on top 23-16.
With 4:44 left in the third quarter, the Elks reached the Blue Bombers’ 25-yard line before Sean Whyte made a 32-yard field goal, now trailing 23-19.
After the Blue Bombers missed a field goal, the Elks had the ball on their own four-yard line. Elks quarterback Taylor Cornelius scrambled out the pocket, only to have the ball knocked out of his hand and scooped up by Adam Bighill for the touchdown. The Blue Bombers were now up 30-16 with 51-seconds left in the third quarter. The score remained 30-16 at the end of the third quarter.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Elks kicker Sean Whyte made a 20-yard field goal to cut the Blue Bombers lead to 30-22. Late in the game, the Blue Bombers took their time getting to the Elks side of the field, forcing Edmonton to use their timeouts. With 3:37 left in the game, Blue Bombers backup quarterback Sean McGuire rushed for a one-yard touchdown to put the game away for a 37-22 lead.
The Elks had one more possession to get closer to the Blue Bombers; however, Taylor Cornelius threw an interception to DeAundre Alford. The Blue Bombers went into victory formation and defeated the Elks 37-22.
Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros went 19/24 for 252-yard, one touchdown, one interception, and two rushing yards. Andrew Harris finished the night with 19 carries for 97-yards. Rasheed Bailey led the team in receiving with six receptions for 72-yards. The defense recorded one sack, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
For the Elks, quarterback Taylor Cornelius finished the game 19/33 for 243 yards, three interceptions, and 23-yards rushing. Running back James Wilder had 14 carries for 71-yards and two touchdowns. Mike Jones led the team in receiving with five receptions for 60-yards. The defense recorded one sack, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Both of these teams have bye’s next week. The Elks next game is September 28th, at the Ottawa Redblacks and the Blue Bombers face the BC Lions on October 1st.
