OTTAWA — The Edmonton Elks will be travelling to the nation’s capital to face the Ottawa REDBLACKS in Tuesday night CFL action.
Entering Week 9 of the CFL season the Elks will be searching for their first win since their 32-30 win over the Calgary Stampeders in Week 5. As they get set to take on the REDBLACKS they will be fresh off their Week 8 bye, which they will be hoping to work to their advantage.
For Edmonton head coach Jaime Elizondo, the matchup in Ottawa will mark his return TD Place. Elizondo served as the REDBLACKS offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2016-2018.
The REDBLACKS and Elks matched up in Edmonton for Week 1 of the 2021 season, a game which saw Ottawa seal a 16-12 victory with an interception return for a touchdown.
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Taylor Cornelius will make his second-straight start for the Elks this week (GoElks.com)
In his Week 9 return to the nation’s capital, Elizondo will be looking to even the series in the city he once called home.
Due to an injury suffered by Trevor Harris, the Elks were forced to turn to first year quarterback Taylor Cornelius in Week 7. The young signal caller performed admirably; however, it was not enough to get a win against the defending Grey Cup champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Completing 19 of his 33 passing attempts and throwing an impressive 243 yards Cornelius showed signs of confidence. In his CFL debut the Oklahoma State product did throw three interceptions, though barring three ill-advised throws the young pivot displayed his ability to compete in the CFL.
Cornelius was efficient with the ball in a demanding Elks offensive scheme, the quarterback completed 57 percent of his passes and showed that he was comfortable standing in and moving with a CFL pocket.
The rookie’s performance surely gave the Green and Gold coaching staff confidence as they turn to Cornelius again for Week 9. Elks veteran Trevor Harris had been listed as full participation in practices leading up to Tuesday’s game, but will not play against Ottawa.
Edmonton’s offensive scheme will once again lean on star running back James Wilder Jr., who’s number was called on 21 of Edmonton’s 54 offensive plays. The Elks’ running back made the most of his opportunities, collecting 101 total yards, and carrying the ball for two rushing touchdowns.
Ottawa is facing their own difficulties preparing for who will play quarterback in Tuesday’s matchup against Edmonton.
In their Week 8 matchup against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats both Dominique Davis and Matt Nichols suffered apparent injuries. Nichols has been unavailable at practice and the status of Davis remained uncertain for Tuesday.
Taryn Christion and Caleb Evans are both available to play for Ottawa in Week 9 and have both been receiving snaps in preparation for Edmonton. That being said, Evans is listed as the starter on the team’s official depth chart.
Christion played in 48 career games with the South Dakota State Jacks, completing 814 attempts for 11,535 passing yards and 104 touchdowns through the air. He also carried the ball 408 times for the Jacks running for 1,515 yards, adding 26 touchdowns.
Evans, a former Louisiana-Monroe Warhawk, started 39 games in his college career, he attempted 1,252 passing attempts, completing 757 for 9,513 yards and 58 touchdowns. In the run game, Evans carried the ball 468 times collecting 2,168 yards and 38 touchdowns.
Both Evans and Christion demonstrate similar styles of play, they both possess a big arm and aren’t afraid to throw the ball downfield, as well as threaten opposing defences with their ability to run.
No matter who is starting under centre for the REDBLACKS they will need to be warry of an athletic Green and Gold defensive secondary. Their ability to play tight coverage and mix in multiple defensive scheming looks has made them one of the hardest teams in the league to throw against.
The Elks defence have held opposing passing attacks to just 1,266 yards, and their allowed 7.1 yards per attempt is among the fewest in the league. The Elks have held opposing offences to just five passing touchdowns on the year and have given up a league low six plays for 30 yards or more.
As good as the Edmonton defence has been playing, they will need to ask their special teams unit to play nearly perfect football on Tuesday against the REDBLACKS. Ottawa boasts one of the most dangerous return units in the league, headlined by DeVonte Dedmon.
Dedmon has run out 22 kickoff returns, totalling a league leading 582 yards and has two returns of 40 yards or more. In punt return situations, he is equally as dangerous, adding 236 yards and a touchdown.
Dedmon has the speed and quick burst ability to explode for a big gain on nearly every return, his ability to flip field position is something the Elks are going to have to game plan for entering Tuesday’s matchup.
– Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET and can be watched on TSN, RDS and ESPN+ or followed along on CFL.ca’s Game Tracker.
