10.09.2026 | Game Recap: Elks 27 Tiger-Cats 12

For the first time in 11 years, the Green and Gold will be hosting a playoff game at Commonwealth Stadium.

The Edmonton Elks assured themselves of a top two finish in the CFL West Division by defeating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats by a score of 27-12 in Week 19 action at Tim Hortons Field on Friday (Oct. 9).

“You have to host a playoff game if you want a chance to win the Grey Cup, it’s as simple as that.” Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo said during a post-game interview on 880 CHED, radio home of the Green and Gold.

With the win, the Elks improve to 12-4, sitting atop the division standings with two games remaining on the regular season schedule. The Tiger-Cats, who have been eliminated from playoff contention, drop to 5-12.

Fajardo completed 16 of 25 passes for 229 yards and rushed for a touchdown. The Elks also got touchdowns from Zach Mathis and ShunDerrick Powell. Elks kicker Vincent Blanchard made two field goals.

Isaiah Wooden scored Hamilton’s lone touchdown on a kickoff return. Marc Liegghio hit a pair of field goals for the home team.

Edmonton’s Malik Carney sacked Tiger-Cats quarterback Harrison Frost four times, tying the club record held by Malvin Hunter for most sacks in a single game. The defensive lineman also had six tackles and a knock down.

“The stats don’t really matter to me, I’m more about the win,” Carney said on 880 CHED. “I’m glad we got the win more than anything.”

The Elks held a 5-0 edge in turnovers against the Tiger-Cats, and outgained Hamilton 324 to 242 in net offence.

“When you have a talented defence you can win championships,” Fajardo said.

Edmonton led 3-0 after the first quarter and 7-0 at half. The teams combined for just 10 points over the first three quarters, before the game opened up in the final 15 minutes.

“We say it all the time, you have to be able to close out teams,” Elks head coach Mark Kilman said on 880 CHED. “You have to be able to win games late. Those are the teams that are successful in the CFL, that’s what we’re trying to be.”

The Elks can finish no worse than second in the West standings and will clinch the division title with either a win or a B.C. Lions loss. The Lions are hosting the Ottawa RedBlacks in Friday’s late CFL game.

Should the Elks finish second, they would host the CFL West semi-final, while first place would given them a bye to the West final at home. Edmonton’s last playoff game at Commonwealth Stadium came in 2015, when the Green and Gold defeated the Calgary Stampeders en route to capturing the Grey Cup.

First Quarter

Edmonton took a 3-0 lead with 1:22 remaining in the opening quarter when Blanchard knocked home a field goal from 13 yards.

Second Quarter

Blanchard made his second field goal of the game, from 26 yards out, with 2:21 left in the second quarter. Edmonton went ahead 7-0 after Blanchard’s 47-yard field goal attempt on the final play of the half was blocked and sailed into the Hamilton endzone where Wooden recovered the ball and was tackled to concede a single point.

Third Quarter

Hamilton finally got on the board late in the third quarter, when Liegghio made an 18-yard field goal. Edmonton took a 7-3 lead into the final quarter.

Fourth Quarter

Fajardo drove over the goal line for a one-yard touchdown, as Edmonton went ahead 14-3 early in the fourth quarter, before Hamilton responded with a 37-yard yard field goal from Liegghio. On its next possession, Hamilton faked a punt at midfield, but Tiger-Cats kicker Nickolas Constantinou thew an interception to Mathis, who ran untouched into the endzone.

Not to be outdone, Wooden returned the ensuing kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown. Edmonton stopped Hamilton’s two-point attempt, keeping the score 21-12 in favour of the Elks. The Tiger-Cats’ late bid at making a comeback ended when they turned the ball over on on downs in their territory. The Elks drove to the endzone, putting the game away as Powell scoring on a five-yard rush with 24 seconds remaining.

Up Next

The Elks will play their last home game of the regular season when they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Play Alberta Field at Commonwealth Stadium on Oct. 16 (7:30 p.m. MT). Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.