07.23.2026 | Game Preview : AT Roughriders

First place in the CFL West Division is on the line when Edmonton Elks take on the host Saskatchewan Roughriders in Week 8 action at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on Thursday, July 23 (7 p.m. MDT).

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Edmonton currently sits atop the division with a record of 5-1, just ahead of the defending Grey Cup champion Roughriders, who are 4-1.

This is the first of back-to-back meetings between the West’s top two teams. Saskatchewan will visit the Elks at Play Alberta Field at Commonwealth Stadium on Aug. 1.

SECONDARY SUCCESS

Edmonton’s defensive secondary has powered its rise to the top of the standings. The Elks have a total of 10 picks over their last three games, including four in each of the last two weeks.

On July 9, Edmonton totalled 17 points off interceptions in a 40-17 home win against the Ottawa RedBlacks. In Edmonton’s 19-17 victory over the BC Lions at Commonwealth Stadium last week, the Elks scored all but three of their points off interceptions.

Through Week 7, the Elks have scored a league-leading 59 points off turnovers, 22 more than the second place Toronto Argonauts.

“It definitely feels good to get our offence back the ball, and see those guys work because that’s a high-powered offence,” said Elks defensive back Kenneth Logan Jr., who had his first pick of the season against the Lions.

“Any chance we can get our hands on the ball and create a turnover, and create a spark for our team, that’s what we’re willing to do.”

FACING HARRIS

Any interceptions that the Elks come up with in Regina will be well-earned: Riders quarterback Trevor Harris has thrown only four picks through the five five games of the season, and has completed 121 of 172 pass attempts for a 71.9% completion rate.

“Trevor Harris is a great quarterback with a great receiving core around him, so we’ve just to got to make sure we’re doing everything, that we’re practising what we dialed in on throughout the week, to put us in the best position sure to make plays when the time comes,” Logan Jr. said.

Harris, who was named MVP of the 112th Grey Cup last November, has attempted just one rush this season. The 40-year-old is not a threat to run, but that doesn’t make him any easier to stop.

“He’s like a coach on the field,” said Elks head coach Mark Kilam. “There’s no look he hasn’t seen. He gets the ball out faster than anybody in the CFL, knows where he wants to go with it, and has total command of what they’re trying to do on offence.”

EVENLY MATCHED

Six of the the last nine meetings between the Elks and Roughriders have been decided by four points or less. Last season saw the teams split a pair of games, with Edmonton winning by a score 27-25 at Commonwealth Stadium and the Roughriders prevailing by a score of 21-18 in Regina.

All signs point to Thursday’s battle for first place being another close affair, as the Elks and Roughriders have markedly similar stats this season: Edmonton is averaging 405.3 yards on offence and allowing an average of 362.2 yards per game, while Saskatchewan is averaging 421.8 yards of offence and allowing 354.8 yards per game; the Green and Gold have scored 167 points and given up 138, while the Riders have scored 170 points and conceded 133.

“We’re excited for this opportunity,” Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo said. “it’s just going to be a good opportunity, a good measuring stick for us to go against the defending Grey Cup champs at their place, and I think the guys are going to be ready for the call.”

READY FOR RIDERVILLE

A noisy sea of green-clad fans, Mosaic Stadium is considered one of the CFL’s toughest places for visiting teams to play. But the Elks have made themselves at home in Regina, going 3-2 over their last five visits to Riderville with the two losses coming by a combined four points.

So far this season, the Elks are 2-1 on the road while the Roughriders have an identical record of 2-1 at home.

“Saskatchewan, they love their football team, it’s a great venue to play games in,” said Kilam. “You want to be play games in those atmospheres, you just have to be able to function.”