10.24.2026 | Game Preview: AT Saskatchewan
The Edmonton Elks wrap up their regular season schedule with a visit to Mosaic Stadium in Regina where they will face the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday (Oct. 24).
Catch the action live at 1 p.m. MDT on TSN, 880 CHED and CFL+
Edmonton (13-4) clinched first place in the CFL West Division with a 35-27 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Play Alberta Field at Commonwealth Stadium last week. The Elks will have a bye through the semi-final round of the playoffs before hosting the CFL West Final on Nov. 7 against the winner of the West Semi-Final.
The defending Grey Cup champion Roughriders (9-8) secured a spot in the postseason last week by defeating the Montreal Alouettes at Mosaic Stadium and will open the playoffs with a road game on Oct. 31. Should the Roughriders win on Saturday, they will meet BC in the West Semi-Final, while a loss to the Elks means Saskatchewan will take on the Toronto Argonauts in the East Semi-Final.
Powell to Start at QB
With his team having locked up top spot in their division, Elks coach Mark Kilam will be giving opportunity this week to some players that haven’t seen a lot of action throughout the season.
One such individual is backup quarterback Taylor Powell, who will be making his first start for the Green and Gold on Saturday. Powell’s last time starting a CFL regular season game came in 2024 when he was a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
“I’m excited to play,” said Powell, who turned 28 on Wednesday. “I love being able to play for this team, this city and this organization.”
Powell, who joined the Elks as a free-agent in February, has taken the field in two games this season. He was 6-of-7 passing for 55 yards and a touchdown in a 48-30 road loss to Montreal on Aug. 8 and completed all five of his pass attempts for 67 yards with a touchdown as Edmonton defeated the Stampeders 53-16 at Commonwealth Stadium on Sept. 12. The Arkansas native boasts a passer rating of 176.4, which currently ranks first among all players to attempt at least one pass in the CFL this season.
“He’s been working hard,” Kilam said. “We’ve been giving him reps all year to make sure he’s familiar with the offence.”
Over four seasons in the CFL, Powell has completed 255 of 364 pass attempts for 2,874 yards with 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He’s also rushed for 274 yards and one touchdown.
Leake Set to Return
Another EE player that hasn’t seen the field recently and appears poised to suit up on Saturday is running back Javon Leake. Edmonton’s top kick and punt returner has been sidelined for two months since pulling his hamstring in a 22-19 home win over Winnipeg on Aug. 21.
“I can’t wait to go,” the 28-year-old speedster said. “It’s just good to be back out with my brothers practicing and getting ready for the game.”
Despite missing six games, Leake still ranks sixth in the CFL for both kick return yards, with 769, and punt return yards, with 509. He’s also rushed for 180 yards and caught 11 passes for 80 yards this season.
The return of Leake gives Edmonton another weapon in a dynamic backfield that includes fellow running backs Justin Rankin and ShunDerrick Powell. All three have made their presence felt in some form or another at different times over the last few months.
“It just shows we’ve got some guys on this roster,” Leake said. “Doesn’t matter who goes down, we’ll have a guy to step up (and) make plays. That’s what it’s all about, just making plays, and when your number’s called, do what you got to do to. But I’m definitely excited to be back and make some plays myself.”
Rubber Match with Riders
The winner of Saturday’s game will claim the season series between these two prairie rivals. The Elks and Roughriders are 1-1 against each other thus far in 2026, with each winning in the other’s house: Edmonton beat Saskatchewan by a score of 36-34 at Mosaic Stadium on July 23, before the Roughriders returned the favour just over a week later when they defeated the Elks 28-26 at Commonwealth Stadium on Aug. 1.
Edmonton boasts the league’s best winning percentage on the road this season, with a record of 5-3 outside of the friendly confines of the Concrete Castle of the North. The Elks are also 4-2 over their last six visits to Mosaic Stadium, dating back to 2022.
If nothing else, fans should expect a close game on Saturday: eight of the last 11 games between these two teams have been decided by four points or less. Their last five meetings have been decided by a grand total of 13 points.
“We’re playing to win,” said Kilam. “That’s what we do.”
Players to Watch
Having connected on an incredible 54 of his 58 field goal (FG) attempts this season, Elks kicker Vincent Blanchard has already set Edmonton’s club record for most FGs made in a season. Now the Quebec City product has a chance to stake a spot among the greatest kicking campaigns in league history. Blanchard needs three FGs to move into a tie for fifth most in a single CFL season, four FGs to tie for third, and five FGs to tie for second. The all-time record is 60, set by Justin Medlock in 2016 with the Blue Bombers.
With Saskatchewan locked in a road semi-final game, Roughriders backup quarterback Jack Coan is expected to make his first CFL career start on Saturday. Since joining the Roughriders in 2024, the 27-year-old from New York is 14-of-31 passing for 153 yards with 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions, while also rushing for 54 yards and three touchdowns. His lone action this season came on the road against Montreal on Oct. 12, when he completed both of his pass attempts for a total of 15 yards.