EDMONTON – The Edmonton Elks defeated the BC Lions by a score of 19-17 in CFL Week 7 action at Play Alberta Field at Commonwealth Stadium on Friday, July 17.
With the victory, the Green and Gold improve to 5-1 and take sole possession of first place in the CFL West Division. The Elks are 3-0 in 2026 at Commonwealth Stadium, making them the only West division team that has yet to lose at home this season.
“Winning at home and playing well at home is important to us,” Elks coach Mark Kilam said. “It’s something that we talk about, and I’m happy we could get it done for the fans.”
The Elks got a touchdown reception from TJ Luther, while Edmonton kicker Vincent Blanchard hit all four of his field goal attempts. Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo completed 27 of 37 passes for 282 yards and 0 interceptions.
Zander Horvath and Keon Hatcher Jr. scored BC’s touchdowns. Last season’s CFL Most Outstanding Player Nathan Rourke was injured at the start of the game, and replaced at quarterback for the Lions by Chase Brice, who passed for 226 yards but also threw four interceptions.
Tyrell Ford, Kenny Logan Jr., Gavin Meyer, and JJ Ross all had one pick apiece for the Green and Gold, who scored 16 points off turnovers, including their first 10 of the game.
“Outstanding,” Kilam said of his team’s defence, which held the Lions to a paltry 213 yards of net offence. “They’ve been carrying this team for a long time. We want to be a three-phase team. There’s going to be a time when special teams is going to stand up and win a game, and offence is going to stand up a win a game.”
Edmonton opened the scoring when Blanchard kicked a 38-yard field goal just over five minutes into the first quarter. The Lions responded with a touchdown from Horvath on a one-yard rush, putting the visitors in front by a score of 7-3 after 15 minutes.
Luther finishes the drive with the TD #GoElks pic.twitter.com/mW4JR8Vy3P
— Edmonton Elks (@GoElks) July 18, 2026
Luther’s second CFL career touchdown, on a four-yard pass from Fajardo, put the Elks back ahead in the second quarter. Blanchard added a pair of field goals before halftime, sending the Green and Gold into the break with a 16-7 lead.
Edmonton chewed up the clock in the third quarter with a lengthy drive that culminated in Blanchard kicking a 16-yard field goal, making the score 19-7 for Edmonton with one quarter to play.
BC struck quickly early in the fourth quarter, scoring a touchdown on an 11-yard pass from Brice to Hatcher, then crept closer with a 19-yard field goal from Sean Whyte. The Lions got the ball back late with a chance to drive for the winning score, but Edmonton came up with a game-winning stop on third down, illiciting a giant roar from the crowd.
“That was just great,” said Logan. “I feel like every week it’s just getting more packed, so just seeing the fans stick with us through the ups and downs of the game and they’re just finding a way to make some noise and be there for us when we need them.”
The Elks will be back in action on Thursday (July 23rd), when they visit the defending Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders, who currently sit second in the West Division with a record of 4-1. The winner of the game will be all alone atop the division.
“We’re excited for this opportunity,” Fajardo said. “It’s just going to be a good measuring stick for us to go against the defending Grey Cup champs at their place, and I think our guys are going to be ready for it.”
Edmonton’s next home game at Play Alberta Field at Commonwealth Stadium comes on Aug. 1 at 5:00 p.m. MDT, when they host the Roughriders. Tickets are available now.