Edmonton Elks Advance to Grey Cup After Thrilling Western Final Victory

Edmonton Elks Secure Grey Cup Berth with Hard-Fought Western Final Win

The Edmonton Elks have secured their place in the 2024 Grey Cup after a commanding 28-16 victory over the B.C. Lions in the CFL’s Western Final at Commonwealth Stadium. The win marks the first playoff game hosted by the Elks franchise since 2015, drawing over 40,000 fans to the stadium.

A Defensive Battle Turns in Edmonton's Favor

The first half was a defensive struggle, with both teams struggling to gain momentum. Edmonton opened the scoring with a 21-yard field goal by Vincent Blanchard, followed by a 48-yard field goal to extend their lead to 6-0. The Lions managed only a 13-yard field goal in the second quarter, but a missed 50-yard attempt by Sean Whyte kept the score at 6-3 heading into halftime.

Edmonton’s offense began to find its rhythm in the second half. Quarterback Cody Fajardo, who completed 11-of-13 passes for 102 yards in the first half, exploded in the third quarter with a 29-yard scramble and a rushing touchdown. His dual-threat performance—274 yards passing, 84 yards rushing, and one touchdown—proved pivotal in securing the win.

Montreal Alouettes Set to Face Edmonton in Grey Cup

The Elks will now face the Montreal Alouettes in the Grey Cup on November 15 in Calgary. The Alouettes advanced after defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 33-23 in the Eastern Final, with Vincent Blanchard kicking five field goals and a convert for Edmonton in the Western Final.

The Lions’ offense, led by quarterback Nathan Rourke (328 yards passing, one rushing TD), struggled to match Edmonton’s intensity. B.C. finished the game with just 19 rushing yards, while Edmonton’s defense held strong, recording two sacks by Darnell Sankey in the first half alone.

Looking Ahead to the Grey Cup

With this victory, the Elks have rekindled hopes of ending their Grey Cup drought, last achieved in 2015. The team’s strong performance in the Western Final, coupled with a resilient defense, sets the stage for a thrilling showdown against Montreal. Fans across the North and beyond are eagerly anticipating the championship game, which will be held at Calgary’s McMahon Stadium.