June 22, 2019

‘We just trust our plan’: Esks on early success

The Canadian Press

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Eskimos did a bit of everything to get the job done against the BC Lions in Week 2, riding big offensive and defensive performances to a decisive 39-23 home victory. With over 400 yards of offence to go along with seven sacks and an interception on defence, the unbeaten Eskimos have staked their claim for best team in the league.

Despite trailing 17-3 early on against the Lions and a returning Mike Reilly, the Green and Gold fought hard to never let the game fall out of reach.

“We just trust our plan,” quarterback Trevor Harris said after the win. “That’s kind of the way we roll around here is we’re going to trust our plan and not flinch. We’re going to keep grinding no matter what the scoreboard says.”

Harris put together another solid performance for the second week in a row, completing 25 of 34 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns to go with a one-yard rushing score. Harris has now thrown for 741 yards and six touchdowns this season.

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Receiver Greg Ellingson came alive for the Esks with his first big game for his new club, turning nine receptions into 174 yards and two touchdown scores. Ellingson’s biggest highlight came on a 54-yard touchdown catch as time expired in the third quarter. The Lions’ defence couldn’t find a way to slow down the Harris-Ellingson connection.

“He’s a tier one receiver,” Harris said. “We have quite a few of those on this team and everybody is capable every single week of doing that.”

“Greg’s just one of those receivers that you can’t let him get going, because once he does he’s dangerous,” Harris added.

But it was Edmonton’s defensive front that made Reilly’s return incredibly difficult. Combining for seven sacks on the night, there was simply nowhere for Reilly to go as he attempted to bring the Lions back in the second half.

“That’s a big boy effort right there,” head coach Jason Maas said after the win. “Those guys were aggressive and physical all night and made it very difficult for their offence to operate and for Mike (Reilly) to operate and pull the trigger.”

Another key to victory for the Esks was another strong game from reliable workhorse C.J. Gable and the run blockers paving the way in front of him. Despite starting off slow, Gable played a huge role in the win with 111 rushing yards on 23 carries. Gable’s tough yardage wore down BC’s defence and opened up more room for Edmonton’s passing attack to thrive.

“Our O-line and C.J. (Gable) is a big part of our offence, so we’re never going to stop doing that.” Maas said. “We’re going to make people no matter what defend both, and when you stick to it sometimes these things happen.”

“When our offence is clicking it’s both sides working, the running game and the passing game. Very excited about the way those guys are playing up front right now.”

But it wasn’t all positive for Edmonton, as the team committed 17 penalties for 165 yards. Those penalties included roughing the passer and illegal contact calls, and Maas views discipline as a major area of focus moving forward.

“Penalties kept their drives going a few times tonight, and that just can’t happen,” Maas said. “We’ve got to clean those things up, got to get better. Being aggressive is one thing but being out of control is another, and we’ve just got to be better disciplined.”

The Edmonton Eskimos will look to continue their winning ways in Week 3 when they travel on the road to face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday, June 27.

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Who made the biggest impact in Edmonton's Week 2 victory?
Trevor Harris
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Greg Ellingson
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Defensive line
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C.J. Gable
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